Business and accounting

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Would you characterize yourself as a leader, problem-solver and persuader?

Are you focused on the importance of numbers, data and accuracy?

This Career Community will help you find your fit in programs leading to careers in accounting, banking, customer service, entrepreneurship, marketing and management or transfer to baccalaureate business programs.

Critical skills and abilities

active listening
critical thinking
oral and written communication
reading comprehension

Technical skills and knowledge

customer and personal service
customer relationship management (CRM) software
data entry software
electronic mail software
mathematics

Exploratory major

If you know this Career Community is the right fit for you but you’re unsure of your major, choose the business and accounting exploratory major to get started in the right direction. Your first 15 credit hours are applicable to all majors within this career community and you’ll get the experience to know which major is right for you. See admissions to apply.

If you are unsure if this Career Community is right for you, connect with career services to explore your options.

Consider these and other careers

Job title/description	Canton/Akron entry-level annual earnings	Canton/Akron average annual earnings
accountants and auditors examine, analyze and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others; install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data	$43,250	$75,769
bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks compute, classify and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.	$29,904	$45,356
financial and investment analysts conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.	$47,355	$83,268
financial examiners enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify or authenticate records.	$45,890	$77,187
insurance sales agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive or other types of insurance; may refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broke or be employed by an insurance company	$30,789	$89,028
loan officers evaluate, authorize or recommend approval of commercial, real estate or credit loans; advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods; includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters and payday loan officers	$32,556	$72,450
management analysts conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively; includes program analysts and management consultants	$38,678	$97,174
market research analysts and marketing specialists research conditions in local, regional, national or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign; may gather information on competitors, prices, sales and methods of marketing and distribution; may employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets	$35,483	$70,608
personal financial advisors advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans and real estate; duties include assessing clients’ assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status and financial objectives; may also buy and sell financial assets for clients	$43,615	$129,375
project management specialists analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis; lead and guide the work of technical staff; may serve as a point of contact for the client or customer	$44,354	$84,726
Careers represented may require further education; an advisor will help you determine your pathway. source: Team NEO (Lightcast Data 2024)