Choosing a career path can be a pretty daunting experience. While it would be great to pick something purely based on your own interests and passions, that doesn’t always lead to employment. Instead, it can be wise to take a look at current market trends and start to get an idea of where the job growth is at the moment, and how it’s looking over the next two, five, and even 10 years. You want to be sure there is a job for you now, and in the future.
If you’ve been mulling over the idea of enrolling in an online bachelors of accounting so that you can then work in the accounting field, taking a look at the job trends will prove to be enlightening. So is this the ideal time to go ahead and get that online accounting degree? Let’s take a closer look.
Start With the Statistics
They say that the numbers don't lie, so with that in mind, a good place to start is with the statistics themselves. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of accounting and auditing is actually enjoying a very robust period of growth. Between now and 2026, it is expected that the number of jobs will grow by 10%, which is much higher than the national average. You'll need a bachelor's degree to break into this field of course, and it will help to provide you with different career options.
What About Salary?
Another deciding factor when picking a field to work in can be the salary. Right now, accountants are enjoying a median pay of $68,150 per year. If you're looking to hit above the median, you'll want to look for jobs in the finance and insurance industries that have a median pay of $72,950.
Who are the Most Common Employers?
Accountants are one of those jobs that really span across a huge number of industries, which is helping the field to enjoy such robust job growth. You can work for a large or small accounting firm, be employed by a company as an in-house accountant, work in the government, in a college or university, in healthcare facilities, the list just keeps going.
This is the area where you will have a lot of options available to you so you can really pick an industry that appeals to you.
Factors to Be Aware Of
So, while there is some very positive news as far as the job growth rate and the average pay is concerned, there are some other factors to be aware of. Accountants tend to work pretty long hours and often put in more than the typical 40 hour work week. This can be especially true during tax season, or if you are just starting out on the job.
Positive Numbers Mean it’s a Great Time to Enter the Field
If you’ve been on the fence about entering the accounting field, it seems as though now is an incredible time to break into it.
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