The most common career paths in accounting can be divided into two main groups: the public and private sectors. Both of which include many options for accountants.

Public accountants work with a variety of business clients to review and/or prepare financial documents, file tax forms, perform audits, and many other financial-related tasks. All areas of public accounting work together with businesses to inspect control processes, determine the accuracy of financial information and compliance with laws, regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). They may also make recommendations regarding business decisions, control procedures and company finances. Public accounting can include audit/assurance, advisory, governmental, not for profit, tax accounting and bookkeeping roles. CPAs (certified public accountants) are most commonly found working in the public sector.

In the private sector, accountants work directly for corporations or other privately owned businesses and can include an array of both financial accounting and/or managerial accounting roles. These accountants can manage an organization’s financials on both a daily and end of period basis, provide expertise in a variety of areas such as control procedures or operations, create financial and/or managerial reporting and, assist management in the creation and implementation of business strategies. Corporate accounting, as it is commonly known, falls under this sector and is a broad term that can include many different functions, such as account management, internal audit, and financial analysis.