Can You Break Into Finance with an Accounting Degree?

Short answer: Yes, absolutely.
Long answer: With the right strategy, an accounting degree can be a powerful launchpad into various finance roles from investment banking to financial planning.

Let’s explore how you can transition from accounting into finance, the types of finance roles available, and real-life examples of how others have made the switch.

Why Your Accounting Degree Is a Strong Foundation

Accounting and finance are like cousins in the business world. They speak the same language numbers, reports, and financial analysis but serve different purposes.

• Accounting focuses on tracking and reporting what has already happened financially (like past revenues, expenses, taxes).
• Finance looks forward it’s about planning, investing, budgeting, and making decisions based on financial data.

Because of this overlap, your accounting background already gives you:

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Deep understanding of financial statements
• Familiarity with tools like Excel, QuickBooks, SAP, etc.
• A detail-oriented mindset

That’s a solid base for many finance jobs.

Finance Roles You Can Break Into with an Accounting Degree

Here are some of the most accessible finance roles for accounting grads:

1. Financial Analyst

• What you do: Analyze financial data, forecast trends, support budgeting decisions.
• Why you’re a good fit: Your accounting skills make it easier to interpret data and build financial models.
• Example: Priya, a B.Com graduate with an accounting major, landed a junior analyst role at a fintech company after taking a short Excel and valuation course.

2. Corporate Finance

• What you do: Manage a company’s internal finances budgeting, capital structure, financial planning.
• Why it fits: You’ll already understand the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement key tools in corporate finance.

3. Investment Banking (with extra effort)

• What you do: Help companies raise capital, work on mergers and acquisitions, IPOs.
• What’s needed: High work ethic, strong networking, and possibly an MBA or CFA to compete.
• Example: Rohan, a CA from Mumbai, worked in audit at a Big 4 firm, then transitioned into investment banking after clearing CFA Level 2.

4. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• What you do: Help companies forecast performance and prepare budgets.
• Why it fits: Your accounting knowledge helps ensure accuracy in forecasting and cost management.

5. Risk Management / Compliance

• What you do: Monitor and assess financial risks, ensure policies and regulations are followed.
• Good for: People with audit or regulatory experience.

How to Make the Transition: 5 Practical Tips

Breaking into finance takes more than just a degree it takes action. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Get Certified

• Consider a CFA, FRM, or even a financial modeling certification.
• These signal to employers that you’re serious about finance.

2. Learn Financial Modeling and Excel

• These are core tools in most finance jobs.
• You can learn them from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Wall Street Prep.

3. Gain Real-World Experience

• Internships, freelance gigs, or even helping startups with budgeting can show hands-on skills.
• Use LinkedIn or AngelList to find part-time finance projects.

4. Network Like a Pro

• Attend finance meetups, webinars, or LinkedIn events.
• Reach out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn for coffee chats or mentorship.

5. Tailor Your Resume

• Highlight analytical projects, budgeting tasks, or tools used.
• Even if you worked in audit, mention how you helped improve cost control or identified financial risks.

Final Thoughts

An accounting degree doesn’t limit you it equips you.

Whether you want to work in the stock market, become a financial advisor, or even enter private equity someday, the skills you’ve learned are not just transferable they’re valuable.

But here’s the key: you need to make the leap. Get curious, keep learning, and position yourself smartly.