Student Accounting Career Guide: Everything you need to know about hatching your career in Accounting Presented by:
TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job board and online career resource for students and recent graduates looking for career hatching opportunities.
We work with hundreds of Canada’s top employers, and we’re dedicated to helping students navigate the sometimes messy school-to-work transition. That’s why we created the Student Accounting Career Guide – a guide to help you navigate the accounting recruitment process and land your dream job.
So what are you waiting for? Get cracking!
Be sure to take advantage of the Relevant Reads section on each page. These additional resources provide a ton of important info to help you in your job search!
And keep your eyes peeled for tips and tricks on the bottom of each page!
Where can you work with an accounting education? Just about anywhere! The majority of students who go into accounting begin their careers with a Chartered Accountant (CA) training program at one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. As businesses and accounting firms plan for their futures, skilled candidates are in high demand! These jobs are predicted to be in demand in the coming years: • Financial Analyst
• Credit Analyst
• Mortgage Underwriter
• Auditor
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
Many accounting careers require a professional designation: • Chartered Accountant (CA) • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Certified General Accountant (CGA) These designations take 2-3 years to earn while working full-time in an accounting role and you must pass a final exam. .
Relevant Reads: What size accounting firm should you work at? Continuing education options in accounting Learn what accounting unification means for you All about the CA, CMA and CGA designations
TalentEgg Tip: Bookmark TalentEgg’s Accounting Career Guide for free accounting career resources
Recruiters for most of the large accounting firms will host events on campus each fall to get to know potential candidates and so you can learn more about their career opportunities.
To make the most of these recruiting events, come prepared by knowing the answers to these questions: What kind of opportunity are you looking for? Which employers are attending? Which ones are you most interested in working for? What kind of positions are the companies hiring for? Entry level? Co-op? Internship? Take care of all the details the day before the event: Personal grooming (hair, nails, etc.) Choose a professional outfit (i.e., business casual or business formal), try it on and lay it out the night before Practice your introduction – keep it short and memorable Set an alarm and go to bed early!
Now that you’re prepared, find out how to stand out... Relevant Reads: Upcoming employer events September Recruitment Survival Guide TalentEgg Tip: Know what to expect during the recruitment process
Recruiting events are your chance to shine! Follow these tips to help set you apart from the crowd: Hand out business cards to help employers remember you Be confident (preparing in advance will help with this!) Ask genuine and unique questions Interact with both employers and your peers Collect contact info from employer representatives Be yourself!
What do you do when it’s over? Follow up! Following up is a great way to say thank you, ask additional questions, get noticed again and stay in touch. Make sure to include information about who you are, where you met them and what sort of career opportunity you’re interested in.
Relevant Reads: Recruitment tips from a new grad Financial Analyst How to stand out to PwC recruiters
TalentEgg Tip: You’ll be shaking hands all day – perfect your handshake
If you’re interested in a career in accounting, you’re probably the type of person who likes to crunch numbers. The salary you earn will vary depending on your role, your experience, your location and what type of company you are working for. Here are the Canadian averages for entry level accounting salaries in 2012:
National Averages
Public Accountant
Public Tax Accountant
Corporate Accountant
Corporate Analyst
Corporate Internal Auditor
Large firms
$42,250 to $51,000
$60,000 to $75,500
$37,500 to $45,750
$41,000 to $49,250
$54,000 to $66,000
Midsize/ small firms
$37,750 to $48,500
$53,500 to $70,500
$35,500 to $42,000
$37,000 to $46,000
$47,250 to $59,750
Click here to see the average salary breakdown by city.
Relevant Read: CFOs: Previous work experience important for Accounting, Finance graduates
8 tips for negotiating salary
TalentEgg Tip: Learn how to evaluate your job offer before you accept
In the life of a new grad accounting employee, every day is different. You’ll be learning new and exciting things such as auditing financial statements and travelling to client sites to work with clients. As an entry level accounting professional, be prepared to work your shell off during “busy seasons”! For accountants, the busiest times of year are typically between January and April, and between August and October. There’s a stereotype that Accountants are dull loners, but that’s just not true! There’s plenty of social interaction in an Accountant’s life, working with new people on various teams. Many firms will help you work towards an accounting designation by providing mentoring, training and time off to study for and take your exams. Many employers also offer ways to get involved in the community and enjoy work/life balance through volunteering and flexible work schedules.
Relevant Reads: Learn about student and entry level accounting jobs at KPMG The rights and wrongs of accounting ethics
TalentEgg Tip: Start planning now to get promoted
Looking for additional ways to stand out to accounting employers? Take your job search social! Many accounting employers and organizations are becoming more active on Twitter – a great platform for you to develop connections and relationships! Check out our list of who to follow on Twitter, and try mentioning them in your tweets and tweeting about topics that might catch their attention (Think: accounting news and campus involvement). Follow TalentEgg on Twitter for up-to-date accounting career opportunities and free career resources.
Check out the Relevant Reads below for more information on using social media in your job search.
Relevant Reads: Attract employers using social media How to makeover your LinkedIn profile How to use Pinterest to find a job Why every student and new grad should be using Twitter
TalentEgg Tip: Learn how to protect your online reputation
You’re on your way to hatching your career in accounting! Here are a few more Relevant Reads to help you land your dream job: How to answer some of your most difficult job interview questions Make networking a habit What should you drink at a professional networking event? 4 skills every student and new graduate job seeker needs
Find us online!