Commercial baking includes all levels of banking from individual retail to banking for large corporate entities. As a accountant you would be qualified for a wide range of jobs within the commercial banking field. 

The branch locations of most banks are what most people think, when they think of a bank. However there are literally thousands of back room employees that most people never see that are working out of the public eye to maintain that bank. As an accountant , that is most likely where you would be.

Working in corporate finance means you are working with large amounts of cash, to help businesses with their plans. The biggest skill you are going to need is to learn how to solve problems quickly and creatively. 

Corporate finance is about long term planning. If you see things as short term, i.e. getting something done this week or next, then corporate finance isn’t for you. Corporate finance generally deals with issues like whether the company is following its own financial policies, planning financing project for the future, handing the company’s cash flow and working with investors and the financial analysts outside the company. 

Keep in mind, if you are working in corporate finance, you are going to be part of a team. It’s not generally for lone wolf or entrepreneurial types. You are going to meet a lot of people and you are going to handle a lot of the big business issues.

Forensic Accounting is a mixture of detective work, auditing skills and accounting. The basis for forensic accounting is to be used in a court of law, to help decide a number of issues. The forensic accountant’s job is to analyze, interpret, and present complex accounting and business issues in a way that is understandable to the general public.

Forensic accountants can be employed by public companies, private companies, insurance companies, banks, police, other law enforcement agencies and the government. Forensic accountants are often times brought in to backtrack where money has been. They are basically the detectives of the financial world.

If you are an accountant and you are looking to get into the hedge fund market, consider first, going back to school again for an MBA (Master’s of Business Administration). As an accountant with an MBA, this will make you more attractive to the hedge fund companies. 

Hate to say it, but the odds are against you that you will ever make it to the level which most people consider hedge fund managers. There are hedge fund managers out there pulling in four to six million a year. But for every one that makes it, there are a ton that don’t. 

Hedge funds at their core are managed pools of money for large investors. We’re talking in the billions of dollars. Considering a 2% fee is the equivalent of $10 million for every billion under management, and as a hedge fund manager, your pay is determined based on this numbers, it’s easy to see the attraction. 

However, it was largely hedge funds betting against the mortgage markets that largely caused the credit crisis that led to ‘The Great Recession’ that started in 2007. 

Subsequently, an accounting degree and an MBA doesn’t guarantee you success in the hedge fund market. Largely it’s luck and a whole lot of hard work. Is it worth it, only you can decide that.

The Wall Street Recruiter’s: Ultimate Accounting Job Guide principals will work to help you find a job with a hedge fund company. Just follow the step-by-step directions and landing that job will be easier. 

The insurance industry is another place that accountants can find jobs in finance. The insurance industry is estimated at one trillion dollars! Simply put, insurance is the business of managing risks. 

Accountants are in demand in insurance companies for the simple reason that it truly is about managing risk. Accounting prepares you for looking at risks and measuring them. This fits right in with what insurance companies do all day long. 

This is not just your local insurance agent we are talking about. There are actuaries, underwriters and managers in every aspect of insurance, whether it’s healthcare, automobile, life or property and casualty. A background in accounting will make you a prime candidate for these positions.

Accountants can readily find positions in Real Estate for two reasons. First, real estate requires an individual to understand complex financial transactions, which accountants are generally good at. The other reason, real estate is such a broad field. 

The real estate field includes everything from real estate development to mortgage banking and lending. The companies in this sector include banks, insurance companies, development companies and brokerages. Real estate also includes both retail and commercial banking.

There is a tremendous amount of money tied up in real estate. It is estimated that one third of all the wealth in the world is in real estate. Whether the property is someone’s individual house or large commercial properties, there is a large variety of people involved in the processes of developing and maintaining real estate.

If you are more of a people person, but you appreciate numbers and you want to help your clients with their future, then consider the finance career of Wealth Management and Financial Planning.

Whether you choose to work for yourself or join a firm, you will be able to help people plan their financial future. Most people lack the major resources required to think about how they are going to finance their retirement, college educations, or their estates. 

The Certified Financial Planning designation would be a worthy investment for this job as well.