Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

Accountants create, disseminate, and evaluate financial information. They have a broad based understanding of business, as well as a strong technical accounting knowledge and skill. They engage in oral and written communication, have a working knowledge of various information technologies, and ethical judgements. Users of accounting information include investors, creditors, government, management, and unions.

The Accounting concentration provides students with the expertise needed to begin a career as an accountant or manager. The program emphasizes conceptual issues, while providing appropriate technical skills for an entry-level Accountant. The general business education, received in other courses in the business school, together with the specific accounting curriculum provides students with a clear understanding of the relationship between accounting and related management issues.

Accounting is a diverse field which covers many different areas including cost accounting, financial auditing, tax, government policy, financial reporting, and forensic accounting. A career in accounting has a lot to offer including a highly in-demand skillset. No matter where you live or how the economy is doing, there is going to be a need for accountants as governments, businesses and not-for-profit organizations continually need manage their budgets, deal with taxes, complete financial reporting and audits and many other critical tasks. Through good times and hardship, companies of all sizes need accountants to create strategic plans, maximize success, and limit risks. While no field can guarantee anyone a job, the prospects in accounting are strong and likely to stay that way.

Accountants can work almost anywhere; full-time within an organization, have multiple clients as part of an accounting firm or on their own.  Those who work in accounting generally enjoy things like regular hours, a base salary with the opportunity to increase over time, benefit package, stability, and the ability to plan for the future with a certain level of confidence. 

Interpersonal - Influencing and persuading individuals and groups; aptitude for leadership; cultural sensitivity with an ability to relate to people from different backgrounds.

Teamwork, leadership and relationship building - A career in accounting will typically involve frequent interactions with a variety of people including co-workers, management, clients, and prospective clients.

Communication - Presenting ideas and data clearly and effectively; writing articulately and analytically; Technical report writing

Organization - Carry out tasks with thoroughness, precision, and attention to detail, meet deadlines, and manage projects

Analytical thinking and manipulating numerical data - Perform cost/benefit analyses; create and evaluate financial reports/statements; apply statistical methods and analysis

Problem solving - Develop systematic procedures for investigating a problem, making sound judgments based on research and analysis of data, approaching topics and problems from various perspectives; analyzing multiple dimensions of a problem; identifying problems and developing solutions; decision-making skills through logical reasoning

Ethical professionalism - Accountants have a lot of influence. They are trusted, respected in their ability to see the bigger picture and usually have a say in major decisions. They are known for being organized, logical and rational and expected to make sound decisions in the best interests of those they are employed by.  

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo

• Accountant (Corporate, Financial, Financial Reporting, Oil & Gas Joint Venture, Oil & Gas Production, Property, Staff, etc.)
• Accounting Analyst or Assistant
• Accounts Payable / Receivable Analyst or Assistant or Clerk
• Associate
• Budget or Results Analyst
• CA Articling
• Financial Analyst
• Internal Audit Assistant
• Management Consultant
• Research Analyst

• Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA)

• Chartered Professional Accountants – Alberta (CPA) 

Big 4 - Public Practice

• Deloitte
• E&Y
• KPMG
• PwC

Student Clubs

• Commerce Undergraduate Society

• Accounting Students Association (ASA) ​

• The Haskayne Students' Association

Aligned Majors

• Actuarial Science

• Economics

Formal Career Assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be helpful tools for your career development.  These assessments have been used for decades to help individuals choose a major, explore career options during and upon completion of a degree and to further understand yourself in relationship to the world of work.  Inquire with Career Services if you are interested in these formal assessments.

Faculty Contact

Haskayne School of Business
Scurfield Hall, 351
T: 403.220.6593
E: undergraduate@haskayne.ucalgary.ca 
W: haskayne.ucalgary.ca

Haskayne Career Centre
Scurfield Hall, 350
T: 403.220.6743
E: careercentre@haskayne.ucalgary.ca 
W: haskayne.ucalgary.ca/services/career-centre/welcome

Career Services
MacEwan Student Centre, Room 188
T: 403.220.8020
E: csstdnt@ucalgary.ca
W: ucalgary.ca/careers