If you’ve got a head for numbers, a can-do attitude, and a keen business sense, then a whole world of opportunity is open to you. With the global nature of business and the increasing integration of technology, accounting jobs are more varied than ever before. Here are eight potential careers in accounting to take into account.

#1 Forensic accountant

Like puzzles? How about puzzles involving finance? As a forensic accountant you’ll be involved in looking for irregularities and discerning strange patterns in accounting data, searching for instances of fraud, embezzlement and other financial crimes. That could be going through an entire organisation’s books, or looking at the finances of an individual suspected of criminal gains. Typically, forensic accountants work on cases where something amiss has been identified – rather than, say, fraud auditing, which tries to prevent wrongdoing – and will often work with law enforcement and government agencies, as well as banks and insurance companies.

#2 Environmental accountant

We know that increasingly, businesses are considering how their operations affect the environment. Not only for, you know, the obvious benefit of protecting the planet, but also because consumers are demanding that organisations go greener. And there are careers in accounting that are part of this shift. Environmental accountants analyse the financial effects of a business’s actions on the environment. This could be looking at the implications of adhering to new environmental legislation. It could also be about demonstrating the cost savings that could be made by designing greener products, or the potential revenue increases from engaging a more sustainable-minded audience.

#3 International tax consultant

Business is global. So it’s essential that those organisations that trade across borders understand the tax rules and regulations for doing so. That’s where international tax consultants come in. They will have a deep understanding of the tax requirements in a company’s home country and also, crucially, how those rules interact with international tax regulations and the government revenue systems in their trading countries. This level of expertise means that as an international tax consultant, you’ll be in demand. And you could work not just for businesses, but also high net worth individuals with interests in several jurisdictions.

#4 Financial planner

Guide individuals and businesses toward financial success. Help them reach their financial goals. To ensure they have the best future possible. Moreover, you’ll combine your skills in accounting and taxes with knowledge of investing, budgeting, risk management and estate planning. You could work with individuals, families or corporations. And you might choose to work in a particular niche. For example, you could provide financial planning services to creative professionals, who often have irregular income streams, to best meet their current financial needs and plan for the future.

#5 Crypto and blockchain auditor

Cryptocurrencies are going increasingly mainstream. Professionals with expertise in this area and the blockchain – the distributed database used to house them – are in demand. Combine your accounting knowledge with your technical skills to keep organisations’ digital assets safe. Firstly, you will assess how they currently use and track their crypto and blockchain usage, and identify any risks. You’ll also work closely with IT pros to ensure data is as secure as possible, as well as perform financial auditing tasks that look at the performance and strategy behind crypto transactions.

#6 Management accountant

Take a place at the top table of business as a management accountant. In this role, you’ll play a significant role in helping organisations make strategic decisions. You’ll be across budgets, forecasting and performance analysis. So you can tell the top brass what’s worked, what hasn’t and what they can do to increase the bottom line. It’s all about providing guidance on how a company should allocate their financial resources to get the best returns. You’ll no doubt have to work your way up to this position. However, once there you’ll be a key player in an organisation’s success.

#7 Risk consultant

Business can be a risky, er, business. You could play a role in minimising that risk. As a risk consultant, you’ll use your finance expertise to help organisations decrease – or, ideally, eliminate – risk across their operational, financial and even technological processes. From identifying potential sources of risk to implementing effective processes to manage them, you will help keep a business’s assets as safe as possible. You will also ensure they meet all regulatory requirements when it comes to operational risks. It’s a collaborative role that’s crucial to an organisation’s success.

#8 Digital transformation consultant

You could choose one of the careers in accounting that combines finance and tech. Like a digital transformation consultant. In this role, you’ll help an organisation leverage the power of digital technologies to streamline their financial and accounting processes more efficiently. That might sound like you are putting AI in place to do yourself out of a job, but far from it. Cloud-based accounting software, automation and data analytics need experts to design, run and oversee them. To ensure they are fit for purpose, secure and also meet a company’s needs and goals.

Go anywhere with careers in accounting

Meet chartered accountant and Charles Sturt alumna, Lisa Durigo, who is living proof a career in accounting can take you places. From humble beginnings in Wagga Wagga to the natural wonders of Tasmania and far north tropical Queensland, Lisa’s accounting career has seen her balancing the books right across Australia.

“I started my career as an undergraduate accountant in Wagga during my first year of studies at Charles Sturt. I’ve had several employers over the years due to a number of interstate moves, all within public practice (tax) from accountant to senior accountant/manager. I’m currently working as a senior accountant at a firm in Wodonga (while located in regional Queensland).”

Be like Lisa, and you too can take on the world with an accounting career!

Take your first step into a career in accounting

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