Accounting

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 22 percent until 2018. An increase in the number of new businesses, changing financial laws and corporate governance regulations, and increased accountability for protecting an organization's stakeholders will continue to drive job growth in accounting.

Jobs for young accountants are available across a wide range of industries, from small firms to government work to multinational corporations – and everything in between. Certified Public Accountants now work in financial management for publishing companies, forensic accounting, internal auditing and federal agency accounting.

Furthermore, accounting professors are retiring in droves, and new instructors are needed to take their place. Currently there are more than twice as many faculty openings as there are applicants, says the American Accounting Association.

A.S.

Genesee students in the Accounting Associate in Science (AS) degree program take the necessary introductory accounting and liberal arts courses to successfully transfer to a four year institution. This degree sets the groundwork for careers in accounting and finance, including a CPA track. By working with their transfer counselor, students acquire the electives needed to meet their transfer requirements and career goals. The following schools are among those institutions with official transfer agreements with Genesee:

• Brockport State College
• St. John Fisher College
• Oswego State College
• SUNY Institute of Technology

A.A.S.

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed for students eager to venture into the business world in entry-and mid-level positions. Students develop problem-solving, communication and analytical skills and form a strong foundation of accounting concepts, principles and methods. AAS program majors have also transferred to four-year institutions.

Certificate

For those already in the workforce who have their sights on a career change or promotion, the certificate program in Accounting may provide the vehicle to success. Students learn introductory and intermediate-level principles of financial, managerial and cost accounting, gain an understanding of the legal environment in which businesses operate, and sharpen their computer application skills. The certificate requires four semesters because of sequential prerequisites, and all courses may be applied toward the Accounting AAS degree program.