The job of an accountant requires certain skills and interests that many people don’t have. If it’s something you’ve done for a while, and you decide it’s not for you anymore, you don’t have to stay in a field where you’re burnt out or disinterested. Those same skills transfer to many other careers you may love better!
One thing to consider before you jump ship and move into an entirely new profession is freelance accounting. If you still enjoy the work you do but don’t like being tied down to an office and a set schedule, freelancing is a great avenue to branch into. This article by Selfgood explains how to make the transition from an employee into a self-employed accountant.
But maybe you don’t want to deal with audits, last-minute tax filers, and the IRS in general. That’s okay, too! Your certification and skills make you a valuable asset in other fields, like these five alternative careers for accountants.
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Banking
Switching from accounting to banking is relatively seamless. You can have your pick of a variety of positions within the banking industry, from teller to loan processor and anywhere in between. Your options depend on your experience and skills.
Keep in mind that banking looks significantly different today than it did just a few years ago. Many banking positions are available through fintech companies, where most of the work is performed virtually for global businesses.
Think about how commonplace it is to see PayPal, ApplePay, and similar services offered when you go to a store or checkout online. Those companies need skilled staff to help them run their businesses, and that could be you!
The average banking salary in the US ranges between $50,000 and $61,000, but this depends on the position and your experience.
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Teacher or Professor
Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in your area of expertise and love to share your knowledge with others? Teaching math or accounting in middle school, high school, or college could be your next career move.
Students need to learn the principles of finance before they head out into the world alone. Many teachers don’t have the experience that you do to bring numbers and formulas together with real-life scenarios that improve comprehension.
The national salary for math teachers ranges between $46,000 and $71,000. This will likely be different if you teach at a college or university level.
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Financial Communications Associates
Financial communications associates have the important job of explaining a company’s economic concepts to employees and the general public. This includes sharing necessary information regarding marketing and communications.
As a communications associate, you’ll be the spokesperson for your company, reaching out for donations if necessary in nonprofits or looking for partnerships in corporations and large businesses.
The salary for this position has a wide range, between $34,000 and $64,000, depending on the company you work for, your role, and your experience level.
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Nonprofit Accountant
Are you tired of dealing with individual tax returns and small businesses? Do you want to feel like you’re making a difference in your career? A nonprofit accountant keeps you in the position you’re comfortable with, but lets you work with agencies and organizations to make their budgets more efficient.
Nonprofit accountants get deep into the finances of their employers, balancing budgets, determining how income compares to expenses, and performing bookkeeping and accounting tasks. With your assistance, the nonprofits can reach their goals and help more of their target audience.
Your job is crucial in the world of nonprofits, and your salary can range anywhere between $75,000 to $89,000.
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Reconciliation Specialist
Do you have a passion for making the ledgers match the balances? Are you excellent at reviewing and implementing effective policies and procedures? Then the job of a reconciliation specialist could be for you!
In this role, you’ll balance accounting ledgers and bank balances and determine where they’re off if they don’t match. You’ll also review financial policies and procedures to ensure they’re up-to-date, effective, and followed.
It’s your job to monitor the cash flow of your employer, oversee the financial transactions, and step in if anything is out of place. You don’t deal with the bookkeeping and accounting tasks (unless that’s part of what’s included when you’re hired), but you do have a hands-on role in how money comes in and leaves the business.
As a reconciliation specialist, you can expect to make anywhere between $37,000 and $53,000 per year.
Conclusion
As an accountant, things that come easy to you, like balancing bank accounts and handling large numbers, aren’t that simple for others. Your skills are in high demand by business owners and individuals who need your expertise.
Whether you want to stay in the “accountant” role or move into something where you can use those skills in other ways, you have plenty of options. These five alternative careers are potential avenues, but you’ll never be without a possible new profession!