First, some facts. Of the Accounting graduates from University of Washington 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Accounting graduates from University of Washington have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as 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, only 33% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Accounting graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 13%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Washington with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONStaff Accountant/ Financial AnalystDaVita Jul 2013 - Jan 2015 Firefighter City of Burien Jan 2015 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
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 of University of Washington Accounting graduates, there seems to be a pretty clear division between positions that are directly related to accounting and those that aren't. Those who took on roles like Financial Planning and Analysis Managers, Treasury Sales Analysts, and Accountants are definitely putting their accounting skills to good use. These jobs require a strong understanding of financial principles and daily application of the knowledge gained from their degree. For example, positions in financial institutions, such as Financial Institutions Examiners, are heavily based on the principles learned in accounting courses, showing how a degree can lead to specialized financial roles that leverage that education.
On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates who ended up in roles that really don’t tap into their accounting background at all. Many found themselves in customer service, retail, or even completely unrelated fields like firefighting and drone operation. Jobs like Personal Banker, Customer Service Associate, and even Barista don’t call for deep accounting knowledge and mostly focus on different skills altogether. It’s kind of a mixed bag, showing that while some folks are making the most of their degree, others have drifted away from the accounting world altogether. Overall, if you want to stick with accounting, targeting the right jobs right after graduation can really pay off!
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 University of Washington):
It looks like graduates from the University of Washington who studied Accounting generally have solid career trajectories, with many landing roles that are pretty relevant to their degrees. For their first jobs after graduation, a large number have started in positions like accountants, financial analysts, and various banking roles. This foundation often leads them to advance into more specialized positions; for instance, those who started at firms like PwC or in financial institutions have moved into roles with more responsibility and expertise, such as tax associates and financial examiners. It’s a pretty good sign that a degree in accounting can lead to stable and progressive career paths.
However, not all paths are so linear. Some graduates have ventured into fields that aren’t directly related to accounting, such as customer service or even unique jobs like being a firefighter or running a drone business. While this shows the flexibility of their skills, it might also indicate that not everyone sticks to traditional accounting roles. But overall, many graduates seem to end up in solid careers that align with their accounting background, especially by the five- to ten-year mark, as they take on roles with increased responsibility and specialization. So, if you’re considering an accounting degree, it definitely has the potential to open up some great opportunities for you!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Washington is generally considered challenging but manageable, especially if you’re willing to put in the work. The program covers a lot of ground—think financial reporting, auditing, and taxation—so you can expect a decent amount of math and critical thinking, along with some pretty intense study sessions, especially around exam time. That said, if you’re organized, stay on top of your assignments, and don’t shy away from asking for help when you need it, you can definitely succeed without feeling totally overwhelmed. Overall, it’s about average in difficulty for a business-related degree, but it can feel a bit tougher if accounting isn't your jam!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Accounting.
Looking at these Accounting graduates from the University of Washington, it seems like most of them are working their way up the financial ladder and are likely making decent money, especially the ones in roles like Financial Planning and Analysis Manager or Senior Risk Examiner. The folks at Bank of America also seem to have climbed the corporate ranks pretty well, which usually comes with a good paycheck. On the other hand, you’ve got some graduates, particularly those who took different paths like becoming a firefighter or managing a coffee shop, who might not be raking it in quite as much, but they’re probably earning enough to get by and maybe enjoy life a bit. Overall, it looks like those in more traditional accounting and financial roles are finding success, while others are exploring different avenues that might not pay as much but could lead to fulfilling careers too.
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 University of Washington). 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: