Perspectives | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Five common career paths in corporate accounting

Explore how a career in corporate accounting can evolve from your first job out of school to leadership roles like a CFO. Whether you're just starting out or planning your next move, explore five common career paths to support your growth in corporate accounting.

Project managers make great accountants

For project managers interested in a new career with many opportunities, working as an accountant is a great way to leverage expertise you already have, such as time management and organization, while adding and exploring new skills like data analysis and business leadership.

Teacher is in class and then transitions to the board room

Why teachers make great accountants

Teachers listen intently, extend empathy, and translate complicated material into plain language, all key attributes of a seasoned and successful accountant. If you’re a teacher contemplating a career change, accounting is a great way to leverage skills you already have, earn more money and open a world of new opportunities.

Man, on the way to work, riding bicycle beside the modern office building.

Why ESG is a sustainable career path for accountants

The reporting of environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities is a rapidly growing field for consulting and public accounting firms. There are now tens of trillions of dollars in investment funds that apply ESG standards to their investment decision making.

Why investor relations might be for you

The investor relations (IR) department is perfectly tailored for accountants or those with deep accounting skills and knowledge. These same accountants are discovering that a few years in the IR department can open up new career opportunities.

How the pandemic will make accountants even more critical

A trusted guardian of a company’s finances, as well as processes and systems to manage those finances, accountants have always been important. Now, they’re even more critical.

Accounting is cooler – and more versatile – than you think

There’s a lot more to accounting than financial statements, audits and taxes.

Five ways accounting courses will instantly upgrade your business IQ

If you want to make smarter, more persuasive business decisions yourself, consider increasing your accounting knowledge.

MAC student perspectives: Office visits

For students, Interview Week and the subsequent firm visits marks a busy but productive time during the UNC Master of Accounting (MAC) program.

How deep accounting skills can help you unlock cool new jobs

There’s a lot of upside to adding deep accounting knowledge and skills to your resume — impressive credential, prospects for higher pay, and a chance to ta...

What Big 4 recruiters are really looking for

Recruiters from Big 4 accounting firms start meeting with master of accounting students in select graduate programs within a few weeks of them starting the program.

How a graduate degree in accounting really pays off

You’ve decided that graduate school is the best way to move up the corporate ladder and find a career you enjoy. Now what?

Accounting helps food truck entrepreneur cook up profits

For UNC Kenan-Flagler grad Sophia Woo (BSBA ’10, MAC ’11), accounting know-how has been an essential ingredient for entrepreneurial success.

Automation and the evolving importance of the “smart” accountant

With automation, artificial intelligence and specialized algorithms, technology has reshaped the way work gets done in the business world.

Why data analytics matters to accountants

Accountants use data analytics to help businesses uncover valuable insights within their financials, identify process improvements, and better manage risk.

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Upcoming Events

Sep 16

Beyond the Numbers: Accounting Careers You Didn’t Know Existed

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST

Join the UNC Master of Accounting Program for a dynamic virtual panel featuring MAC alumni who have taken their accounting expertise into unexpected—and exciting—career paths. Whether you're curious about the versatility of an accounting degree or exploring how the MAC program can shape your future, this is your chance to hear real stories, ask questions, and be inspired.