Your calculator sits next to a stack of financial reports, but you envision something bigger than number-crunching. You see yourself leading teams, shaping corporate strategy and making decisions that impact entire organizations.
Accounting can be a rewarding field with many opportunities for growth, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting online program from Northwest Missouri State University opens doors to leadership positions. This allows graduates to transform their career trajectories from task-oriented work to strategic influence.
Financial Manager: Steering Corporate Success
Financial managers represent the pinnacle of accounting career evolution, where technical skills meet strategic vision. These professionals oversee all financial activities within organizations, directing investment strategies and developing long-term financial goals. Financial managers analyze market trends, assess investment opportunities and present complex financial data to executive teams. They translate financial information into actionable strategic recommendations for business leaders.
Financial managers earn $161,700 per year with 17% projected job growth from 2023-2033 (much faster than average), making this one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing careers for accounting professionals. Jobs for accounting majors often begin with entry-level positions, but an MBA in Accounting accelerates the path to financial management roles. The advanced degree provides essential knowledge in economics, organizational behavior and strategic planning that distinguishes candidates in competitive job markets.
Audit Manager: Guardian of Financial Integrity
Audit managers hold essential positions that safeguard organizational compliance and financial accuracy. These professionals focus on examining corporate financial reports while ensuring adherence to legal requirements and industry regulations. The position requires exceptional analytical thinking and communication skills. Audit managers present sensitive findings to senior management and regulatory bodies while designing comprehensive audit procedures and coordinating with external auditors.
The average salary for an audit manager is $120,236. The pay range varies considerably, indicating numerous opportunities for advancement based on skill level and experience. Audit manager positions offer excellent advancement opportunities for professionals seeking to combine technical accounting expertise with leadership responsibilities.
Accounting Manager: Operations Command Center
Accounting managers serve as the operational backbone of financial departments, overseeing day-to-day accounting operations while providing strategic guidance. These professionals oversee all monetary matters, maintaining transparency, compliance and operational effectiveness. Their responsibilities include analyzing financial data, creating reports and supervising accounting teams.
An accounting manager can expect to earn an average salary of $90,305 per year. Accounting manager jobs provide diverse experiences across industries. An MBA accounting online degree offers the advanced business strategies that are essential for success in these varied environments.
Director of Accounting: Executive Financial Leadership
Directors of accounting represent the highest level of advancement for accounting professionals, blending comprehensive financial oversight with executive-level strategic responsibility. These executives manage teams of accountants and analysts while creating financial strategies and establishing operational objectives through data analysis. They work directly with company leadership to shape financial policy and strategic direction. Directors also oversee enterprise resource planning systems, coordinate with external auditors and provide financial analysis that influences decisions, including investments, acquisitions and expansion strategies.
The position requires sophisticated leadership abilities and comprehensive financial expertise. These professionals collaborate with analysts to create and implement economic policies, while organizing critical accounting information, including transaction reports, payroll data and asset management records. Directors of accounting earn an average salary of $184,849, reflecting their strategic importance to organizational success.
Your Path Forward
Northwest Missouri State University’s MBA in Accounting online program creates paths to these rewarding careers by blending advanced technical knowledge with essential business management skills. The program provides key intensive preparation for executive roles, offering flexibility for career advancement without interrupting other obligations.
These five positions offer a hint of the significant career possibilities for graduates. Each role offers unique challenges and rewards while providing steppingstones to even higher executive positions.
Learn more about Northwest’s online MBA in Accounting program.
