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In order to be successful in an accounting major, one must be exceptionally good at math and critical thinking.  He or she must also be able to analyze figures very quickly and explain difficult financial and regulatory concepts to laypersons.   

A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting is the first step in a career in accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping. A four-year education is often enough to get a job; a Master's degree in Accounting, or and MBA with an Accounting concentration are sometimes required based on the employer and certainly gives the candidate a competitive edge. 

In order to get a job in one of the more lucrative accounting professions, however, one needs to be certified.  Any accountant who is going to file a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  To be a CPA one has to pass a national exam and become licensed by the State Board of Accountancy. 

Career placement is very good in the accounting field in terms of the time it takes to find a job after graduation.  Accounting is considered a low-stress profession and the median annual salary is relatively high; near $55,000.  On top of all that, it is a profession that is expected to see substantial growth in the near future; roughly an 18% increase in jobs by the year 2016.

Accountants can work in the public sector, preparing individuals' taxes and offering financial and investment advice.  They can also work for large corporations, monitoring the finances of the companies for whom they are employed.  They prepare financial reports for the corporate executive,  the investors, or for regulatory agencies.   Yet another option is to be employed by the Federal Government, keeping tabs on the records of government agencies or auditing businesses and individuals.  .  

The most exciting career choice for an accountant has to be forensic accounting; investigating white-collar crimes like securities fraud and embezzlement.