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Best Jobs For Former Accountants [2026]

By Chris Kolmar
Jul. 13, 2022
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

Best Jobs for Former Accountants in 2026

As the job landscape continues to evolve in 2026, many former accountants are exploring new career opportunities outside traditional accounting roles. With advancements in technology and shifts in workplace dynamics, the perception of accounting careers has changed significantly.

Although the number of graduates entering accounting programs remains steady, there is a notable decline in individuals pursuing long-term careers in the field. Many are reevaluating their career paths, leading to a growing curiosity about what former accountants are doing now.

To gain insights, we analyzed thousands of resumes from individuals who transitioned out of accounting. We compiled the top 100 jobs they pursued, highlighting some of the most surprising and relevant options available in today’s job market.

Top Career Opportunities for Former Accountants

  1. Controller Jobs

  2. Accounting Manager Jobs

  3. Senior Finance Analyst Jobs

  4. Chief Finance Officer Jobs

  5. Bookkeeper Jobs

  6. Finance Manager Jobs

  7. Accounting Clerk Jobs

  8. Assistant Controller Jobs

  9. Accounting Supervisor Jobs

  10. Finance Director Jobs

While some of these roles may be more appealing than others, they all present intriguing opportunities for those transitioning from accounting.

The complete list of jobs is detailed below.

Detailed Ranking of Common Jobs for Former Accountants

Rank Job Title %
1 Senior Accountant 6.03%
2 Controller 3.82%
3 Staff Accountant 3.76%
4 Accounting Manager 3.31%
5 Finance Analyst 2.99%
6 Accounts Payable Clerk 1.52%
7 Senior Finance Analyst 1.45%
8 Chief Finance Officer 1.14%
9 Bookkeeper 1.1%
10 Office Manager 1.1%
11 Finance Manager 1.09%
12 Consultant 1.0%
13 Accounting Clerk 0.96%
14 Assistant Controller 0.91%
15 Cost Accountant 0.89%
16 Accounting Supervisor 0.81%
17 Finance Director 0.77%
18 Administrative Assistant 0.72%
19 Business Analyst 0.69%
20 Owner 0.67%
21 Human Resources Coordinator 0.57%
22 Tax Accountant 0.56%
23 Business Manager 0.53%
24 Payroll Administrator 0.52%
25 Vice President 0.5%
26 Customer Service Representative 0.49%
27 Manager 0.48%
28 Analyst 0.47%
29 Certified Public Accountant 0.45%
30 Tax Preparer 0.45%
31 Finance Controller 0.45%
32 Accounts Receivable Specialist 0.44%
33 Auditor 0.43%
34 Accounting Assistant 0.43%
35 Account Manager 0.43%
36 Senior Staff Accountant 0.43%
37 Accounting Consultant 0.42%
38 Substitute Teacher 0.41%
39 Accounting Analyst 0.41%
40 Human Resources Manager 0.4%
41 Billing Specialist 0.4%
42 Internal Auditor 0.39%
43 Sales Associate 0.38%
44 Project Accountant 0.37%
45 Operations Manager 0.36%
46 Cashier 0.33%
47 Assistant Manager 0.33%
48 Volunteer 0.33%
49 Accountant-Contractor 0.32%
50 Accountant And Office Manager 0.31%
51 Corporate Controller 0.3%
52 Finance Consultant 0.29%
53 General Ledger Accountant 0.28%
54 Accounting Director 0.27%
55 Charge Bookkeeper 0.26%
56 Project Manager 0.26%
57 Associate 0.26%
58 Corporate Accountant 0.25%
59 Treasurer 0.25%
60 General Manager 0.25%
61 General Accountant 0.24%
62 Senior Auditor 0.24%
63 Supervisor 0.23%
64 Account Analyst 0.23%
65 Accounts Payable Supervisor 0.23%
66 Senior Analyst 0.23%
67 Internship 0.23%
68 Accountant/consultant 0.23%
69 Plant Controller 0.21%
70 Teacher 0.21%
71 Accounts Payable Manager 0.21%
72 Budget Analyst 0.21%
73 Payroll Specialist 0.21%
74 Fixed Asset Accountant 0.2%
75 Owner/operator 0.19%
76 Tax Analyst 0.19%
77 Comptroller 0.19%
78 Finance Officer 0.19%
79 Accounting Associate 0.19%
80 Revenue Accountant 0.19%
81 Finance Administrator 0.19%
82 Team Leader 0.18%
83 Payroll Manager 0.18%
84 Assistant Vice President 0.17%
85 Finance Specialist 0.17%
86 Control Accountant 0.16%
87 Program Manager 0.16%
88 Director 0.16%
89 Senior Tax Accountant 0.16%
90 Office Administrator 0.16%
91 Fund Accountant 0.16%
92 Accounting Technician 0.15%
93 Senior Manager 0.15%
94 Tax Associate 0.15%
95 Division Controller 0.15%
96 Account Leader 0.15%
97 Senior Associate 0.15%
98 President 0.14%
99 Account Auditor 0.14%
100 Administrator 0.14%

Most Common Jobs for Former Accountants

  1. Senior Accountant

  2. Controller

  3. Staff Accountant

  4. Accounting Manager

  5. Finance Analyst

  6. Accounts Payable Clerk

  7. Senior Finance Analyst

  8. Chief Finance Officer

  9. Bookkeeper

  10. Office Manager

These roles not only leverage skills developed in accounting but also serve as stepping stones to diverse career paths.

How We Identified the Best Jobs for Former Accountants

Using data from our comprehensive database of over 7 million resumes, we focused on individuals who listed accounting in their work history. We then tracked their subsequent career moves, ranking the most frequently occurring positions.

To identify interesting job options, we sifted through the ranked list for roles that:

  • Appeared in fewer than 1% of all new job postings
  • Were outside the top 100 most common jobs in our database

In conclusion, while many former accountants may gravitate towards familiar roles in finance and management, the array of opportunities available today allows for exploration and growth beyond traditional pathways. Whether you wish to advance within finance or pivot to a completely new sector, the skills acquired in accounting provide a solid foundation for a successful career transition.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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