Top 20 Career Change Ideas for Accountants

What's Not Working For You In Your Accounting Career?

It makes sense to analyze what's wrong for you as an accountant and pinpoint the problem:

• Does the organizational structure bother you? And do you have the answers to fix the issues? Consider offering your suggestions to management and working your way into becoming a CFO in the future. Or start your own business!
• Does your boss micromanage you? Consider moving laterally into another accounting position at the same company or a similar role in your same field. Talk with human resources to transition laterally. Or meet with recruiters to find another company!
• Do you feel unimportant and unheard? The culture where you work can affect you. If you're ignored, look for a company that values your insights.
• Are you at a big accounting firm where there is constant pressure and stress? Consider working for a smaller firm that values a better work-life balance!
• Is a job that excites and empowers you crucial? Do you feel bored crunching numbers?Maybe you need the excitement of challenging interactions with others!
• Or, perhaps you feel bored with accounting duties and the predictability of numbers? Maybe you need to work in a more theoretical field as an economic writer or researcher. Or teach it to others as a professor or high school teacher!

Consider Your Transferable Skills

Consider your transferable skills before you change careers. Transferable skills are the knowledge and experience you have that will transition into your next job.

When writing your resume, don't forget to include soft skills such as:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Social Skills

Depending on the new career you choose, your transferable skills may also include technical skills and knowledge such as:

• Computer software knowledge
• In-depth spreadsheet and financial computation knowledge
• Financial analyst skills
• Financial planner skills
• Public accounting skills
• Economics knowledge
• Writing skills

Career Change Ideas For Accountants

As you look through our alternative careers for accountants, consider who you are and what you enjoy. Your natural personality traits can help align your career with your best self!

Whatever your reasons for switching careers, we've got the goods for you! So, let's look at the 20 top moves for a career change from accounting!

1- Financial Technical Writer

Average Salary Range: $69,500 and $135,000

You can get work writing about almost anything from law to economics to whatever subjects you're interested in.

And according to the US Dept. of Labor, job growth employment trends for technical writers will grow by 10% over the next 8 years. 

"A financial writer creates content about the finance industry for print and web publications. You may work as a financial writer for a content agency or financial company, or you may freelance for a variety of publications and work from home or a coworking space.

Your job duties as a financial writer are to produce educational or marketing content, consult with clients to receive topics or outlines, and revise your work as needed to fit the style and tone of particular publications." (3)

You can start as a freelance writer as a second career while you build the skills you need for full-time!

Getting your first freelance writing gig may be as easy as getting a certificate from our community college partner! Our online, on-demand course helps you earn your Technical Writing Certificate in just 15 weeks!

2- Finance and Insurance Manager

Average Salary Range: $69,262 to $99,492

"An F&I Manager is responsible for the finance department of an automotive, power sports, or RV dealership. Approximately 85% of new vehicles purchased in the United States are financed. This makes the Finance and Insurance Manager one of the most important people in a dealership's operations." (4)

If you have experience working in the car industry or have extensive knowledge about how the industry works, you're a shoo-in for this position!

3- Project Manager

Average Salary Range: $60,241 and $76,611

We're all project managers in one way or another. However, project managers take their planning and organizational skills to another level!

Project managers work in almost every industry, and job growth statistics show a growing trend!

As a project manager, you may remain in the financial realm in accounting services or change career fields all together! Businesses need problem-solving skills to help others work together in teams.

If you enjoy working to help others reach their potential while directing the completion of a project, project management might be your new career field!

Let our Unmudl course, Remote Leadership Toolkit, prepare you to maintain peak performance and keep employees engaged when separated by miles, time zones, and culture!

4- Chief Financial Officer

Average Salary Range: $220,000 to $610,000

As a chief financial officer, you are responsible for overseeing the financial activities of an entire corporation.

In addition, you:

• Prepare financial reports to inform other company officers, the board, and shareholders
• Forecast how the business can grow by analyzing the past and considering future economic conditions
• Consider tax planning by looking at the company's financial transactions

To transition into this career, you'll need extensive business knowledge. Many job descriptions for CFO positions require a CPA which you already possess.

Excellent interpersonal skills are crucial to finding success in this role. You will need to communicate with other members of the executive team, as well as with clients and investors.

If you'd rather start a business yourself, consider our next option!

5- Business Entrepreneur

Average Salary Range: $21,875 to $580,179

To start a career as a business entrepreneur, you need strong management skills. You'll need to direct and oversee the work of others in your business venture. You also need an idea of what type of business to start and an idea of your legal business structure.

But most importantly, you need to have excellent interpersonal skills. This is because you will need to be able to communicate with clients, vendors, and other members of your team.

To increase your interpersonal communication and social skills, consider our online and on-demand Unmudl community college course "Business and Professional Communication." Learn how to network, develop credibility, and present ideas effectively

6- Business Analyst

Average Salary Range: $65,000 to $99,000

Business analysts develop a company's "continued growth and success. With their commitment to innovation, these analysts seek, develop, and help implement strategic initiatives for improved efficiency and productivity."

To succeed as a business analyst, you'll need to be a "detailed planner, expert communicator, and top-notch analyst." You'll also need to be "wholly committed to the discovery and development of innovative solutions in an ever-changing digital landscape." (6)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business analysts can expect unprecedented job growth of up to 25% by 2030! So if you have the drive to help businesses succeed, consider becoming a business analyst.

7- Financial Analyst

Average Salary Range: $47,000 to $97,000

As far as a career change from accounting, a financial analyst is not far off. A career change from accounting to financial analyst uses many of your transferable skills. And your accounting degree lets you aim for the higher end of the salary range!

Continue using the accounting principles you know while transitioning into financial analysis for clients. You'll prepare and examine financial records for accuracy and may also be involved in tax planning using the company's financial transactions as a starting point.

A financial analyst may also prepare financial reports to inform other company officers, the board, and shareholders. They also may work for public or private companies.

However, if you need a more involved position with a leadership role, consider becoming a Corporate FP&A!

8- Financial Forecaster: Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis

Average Salary Range: $80,938 and $107,037

A relatively new career that needs your financial skills is a corporate FP&A professional. This is the type of position for a forward-thinking individual who considers the financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting process and makes recommendations to the executive team and board of directors.

These employees collect, prepare and analyze financial data from across the organization to create reports that provide data-driven answers to business questions. (9)

In this field you help business clients manage seeing the forest instead of just the trees!

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9- Financial Records Keeper

Average Salary Range: $19,080 to $54,730

If you're looking for less stress and hours, you can work as a keeping the records for almost any business. Your accounting knowledge is handy when working with your client's financial data. You may prepare documents for data entry, verify accuracy, and maintain updated records of invoices and debits.

This is a good second career if you're trying to break into another field and need to complete your education or if you need fewer hours so you can spend time with family. It's an excellent career change for those who want to continue using their accounting skills but don't want the stress of long hours or perhaps want to work from home.

10- Forensic Accountant

Average Salary Range: $65,035 and $83,471

"Forensic accountants analyze financial data to look for evidence of crimes. They often work for insurance companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. These professionals may testify in court cases as expert witnesses." (9)

A forensic accountant looks at an organization's cash flow and financial statements to find financial crimes. Using the latest tax laws, you may find evidence of wrongdoing and financial crimes for the FBI or other law enforcement organizations.

11- Financial Controller

Average Salary Range: $198,600 and $283,300

A Finance Controller prepares a company's financial reports, including balance sheets and income statements. They also help perform compliance audits and develop internal controls to safeguard the company's assets.

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