How the Accounting Major Prepares You for the Job Market
The business major is one of the most general and valued majors. Every industry, from health care to non-profits, has a business side that demands attention. For this reason, business students are likely to find employment in a variety of fields and industries. These perks may account for the popularity of the business degree. In 2006-2007, approximately 21 percent of the 1,524,000 degrees conferred were awarded to business students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Accounting majors in particular focus on the monetary aspect of businesses, especially with keeping records, organizing expenditure data, and taxation. To prepare for a future working with both large and small businesses, accounting majors take courses in financial reporting, taxation laws, auditing, and other topics related to handling a companyís financial records. This educational preparation pushes accounting majors toward a successful career after graduation, as they will possess the industry knowledge needed in the field.

Best Career Paths for Accounting Majors
With the country slowly bouncing back from the economic recession, businesses across the nation are learning to be more wary of their finances. Accounting majors can help these businesses keep accurate records of their finances, making saving and spending wisely an easier task. The best career paths for accounting majors to take are:

• Internal Auditing. Internal auditors work with a company to evaluate the organizationís management techniques, information systems, and financial records. They seek to rectify mismanagement and falsified or erroneous records in order to keep the organization running smoothly. Auditors are one of the most important players in a company, with many national certified public account firms earning 45-50 percent of their revenue from auditing fees, according to California State University at Long Beach. Internal auditors make an average salary of $54,630 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Financial Analyst. Financial analysts handle the selling or buying of investments with a company. They research prior and current trends to determine the future of the company, allowing them to then place an estimated value of how much a company is worth to investors. They make an average salary of $66,590 annually, according to the Bureau.

Both of these positions utilize the business skills and industry knowledge that accounting majors possess, and many organizations have these positions available. This allows for accounting graduates to choose to work in an industry that most interests them.

How to Market Your Accounting Degree
Earning an accounting degree is an important step towards beginning your new career. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove that your education makes you qualified for the position. To do this, be specific about the skills you learned in class. For example mention that your intensive coursework helped you gain a deep understanding of complex taxation laws and exemptions as well as other accounting skills. Reassuring employers and clients that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your accounting degree.