First, some facts. Of the Accounting graduates from Missouri State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Accounting graduates from Missouri State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 52% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Accounting graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 94%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Missouri State University with a Bachelor's in Accounting. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMedical Power Staff AccountantEaglePicher Mar 2011 - Oct 2011 Cost Accountant PlayPower, Inc. Oct 2011 - Nov 2013 Senior Accountant PlayPower, Inc. Nov 2013 - Jan 2015 Accounting Contractor Jack Henry Feb 2015 - May 2015 Revenue Accountant Jack Henry Jun 2015 - Feb 2018 Advanced Revenue Accountant Jack Henry Mar 2018 - Apr 2019 Senior Revenue Accountant Jack Henry Apr 2019 - Oct 2022 Revenue Accountant, Advisory Jack Henry Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTI am an experienced Certified Management Accountant for Jack Henry and Associates, currently working as a Revenue Accountant, Advisory. My team works to ensure revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 606 for software contracts utilizing RevPro software, for which I am considered a subject matter expert. I also have experience in external reporting, specifically filing 10-Q & 10-K reports including completing iXBRL tagging. I completed my CMA certification in 2013 and hold a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting from Missouri State University, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2011. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths that graduates from Missouri State University with a degree in Accounting have taken, it's clear that many stick closely to roles that are directly relevant to their education. The most common positions include accountancy-focused jobs like Internal Auditors, Tax Accountants, Senior Accountants, and various roles at accounting firms. These positions utilize the skills and principles taught in their degree programs, such as financial analysis, reporting, auditing, and regulatory compliance. Even roles like Financial Reporting Managers or Assistant Controllers heavily rely on the accounting knowledge they gained in college, confirming that a significant number of graduates continue to work within the accounting field.
However, there are also an interesting mix of jobs that aren't tightly knit to traditional accounting roles. For instance, some graduates have ventured into positions like Chief of Staff, Project Coordinators, or even jobs in sales and customer service, which don't effectively tap into their accounting training. While some of these roles may lend themselves to various financial skills, they don’t always pull from core accounting knowledge. Overall, it's evident that while many accounting grads find success in fields directly related to their studies, a fair number diverge into different territories that don't maximize their academic preparation in accounting.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Accounting graduates (this is across all Accounting graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Missouri State University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from Missouri State University who majored in Accounting, it seems that many of them have found careers that are closely tied to their degree. Typically, a lot of these folks land their first job in roles such as auditors, tax preparers, or accounting staff right after graduation. For instance, grads from 2011 and 2012 started their careers in audit positions with reputable firms and then progressed into higher-level roles like Financial Reporting Managers or Controllers within just a few years. This progress often indicates a solid foundation built from their education and early job experiences, as many of them have stayed within the accounting or financial sectors.
Fast forward five to ten years later, and you see a pattern of advancement into significant roles like CFOs or senior managers within well-known companies. For example, a graduate from 2011 climbed the ranks all the way to Chief Financial Officer in over a decade. While some graduates have wandered into areas a bit detached from core accounting roles—like the ones who worked in retail or food services—the majority seem to stick with organizations that help them build relevant skills and professional networks. It’s a pretty reassuring trend if you’re considering an accounting degree; it looks like those who work hard and utilize their education tend to achieve success in the field.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Accounting at Missouri State University is definitely a challenge, but it's not impossible. You can expect a pretty solid mix of numbers, theory, and a bit of real-world application, so if you don't love math or analytical thinking, it might feel tougher than average. But if you stay organized and manage your time well, it’s totally manageable. The coursework can get intense, especially when you dive into classes like tax or auditing, but a lot of students find support among classmates and professors. Overall, it's about on par with other business degrees in terms of difficulty, so if you're ready to put in the effort and stay engaged, you can totally ace it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Accounting.
So, looking at the jobs these Missouri State University accounting grads have landed, it seems like a mixed bag in terms of earnings. A lot of them have climbed the corporate ladder pretty impressively, especially those who graduated earlier on—like the folks who moved from internal auditor roles to CFO or director positions, which usually come with nice paychecks. However, there are also some who took on more entry-level or transitional roles, which likely means they’re not raking in the big bucks just yet. Overall, it seems like if they stayed in accounting and found their groove, many of them are likely making decent money now or have strong potential to do so in the near future!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Accounting (this is across all Accounting graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Missouri State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Accounting (ordered by the average relevance score of their Accounting graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: