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I’m a sophomore accounting major at Baruch College working toward CPA eligibility, but I’m still unsure which accounting path fits me best (audit, tax, advisory, or something else). Based on your experience, what signs should I look for now — in classes, internships, or my strengths — that can help me figure out which direction I’m most aligned with?
I'm a first-generation sophomore majoring in accounting at Baruch College, planning to get my CPA in the future. I'm trying to understand how to choose the right accounting path and how to prepare for internships, so I'm looking for advice from professionals who can share what skills, experiences, or mindsets helped them succeed early in their careers as someone with no industry experience.
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Ethan’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
Many accounting students, including myself, have been in your shoes. Remember, the path you choose after college doesn't have to be permanent. You might start with an internship in one area, and if it doesn't feel right, it's perfectly okay to switch. Many companies support exploring different roles internally because they value you as a person and want you to be happy in your career. I've seen friends move from tax to audit, consulting, and advisory roles.
There are also plenty of exciting opportunities beyond the typical "Big 4 and public accounting" path. With an accounting degree and CPA, your options are wide open!
To learn more about different career paths, try networking with professionals in various fields. You can connect through LinkedIn, email, professors, or career events. We love sharing our experiences and are always happy to chat.
Personally, I think tax technology is a great option, especially with new advancements in AI and other technologies. There are many opportunities, and the work is very engaging!
Wishing you the best in all your endeavors!
Many accounting students, including myself, have been in your shoes. Remember, the path you choose after college doesn't have to be permanent. You might start with an internship in one area, and if it doesn't feel right, it's perfectly okay to switch. Many companies support exploring different roles internally because they value you as a person and want you to be happy in your career. I've seen friends move from tax to audit, consulting, and advisory roles.
There are also plenty of exciting opportunities beyond the typical "Big 4 and public accounting" path. With an accounting degree and CPA, your options are wide open!
To learn more about different career paths, try networking with professionals in various fields. You can connect through LinkedIn, email, professors, or career events. We love sharing our experiences and are always happy to chat.
Personally, I think tax technology is a great option, especially with new advancements in AI and other technologies. There are many opportunities, and the work is very engaging!
Wishing you the best in all your endeavors!
Updated
Kristine’s Answer
I had a very similar experience in college when I was trying to decide between audit and tax before I had even taken the classes. The best advice I received, and the advice I’d give you now, is to think about what kind of work environment and day-to-day style feels most natural to you.
For me, audit stood out because it seemed like a more interactive and client-facing role, with a lot of collaboration, problem-solving, and being out in the field. If you enjoy working with people, asking questions, and seeing how different parts of a business connect, audit may be a strong fit.
That said, tax can be a great path too if you enjoy technical work, detail, and digging deep into rules and regulations. The real question is whether you’re energized more by client interaction and variety, or by focused, technical analysis.
For me, audit stood out because it seemed like a more interactive and client-facing role, with a lot of collaboration, problem-solving, and being out in the field. If you enjoy working with people, asking questions, and seeing how different parts of a business connect, audit may be a strong fit.
That said, tax can be a great path too if you enjoy technical work, detail, and digging deep into rules and regulations. The real question is whether you’re energized more by client interaction and variety, or by focused, technical analysis.
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Trevor’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
When I was your age, I also wondered about this. I chose Audit because I liked learning about the whole company. But with an accounting degree, you have many options beyond audit, tax, and advisory. You could explore forensic accounting, IT, financial accounting, and more. If you're interested in understanding the big picture of business, audit is a great choice! I hope this helps a bit!
Trevor Jensen
When I was your age, I also wondered about this. I chose Audit because I liked learning about the whole company. But with an accounting degree, you have many options beyond audit, tax, and advisory. You could explore forensic accounting, IT, financial accounting, and more. If you're interested in understanding the big picture of business, audit is a great choice! I hope this helps a bit!
Trevor Jensen
Updated
Nicholas’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
Many of us who studied accounting have wondered about the different paths available. It's great to explore your interests to find your direction.
Pay attention to which class excites you the most, whether it's financial accounting, auditing, or tax. This can be a helpful clue.
I also suggest attending career or internship events to speak with company representatives. If you can, try internships in areas like tax, audit, consulting, or IT during college. Real-world experience can be quite different from classroom learning, and you might discover a field you enjoy more than you expected.
Many of us who studied accounting have wondered about the different paths available. It's great to explore your interests to find your direction.
Pay attention to which class excites you the most, whether it's financial accounting, auditing, or tax. This can be a helpful clue.
I also suggest attending career or internship events to speak with company representatives. If you can, try internships in areas like tax, audit, consulting, or IT during college. Real-world experience can be quite different from classroom learning, and you might discover a field you enjoy more than you expected.
Updated
Wyatt’s Answer
It's hard to say definitively before you've tried them out. If you've taken tax or audit classes, how did you feel about those? I am in tax but I think I would be just as happy in audit.
Since I am in tax I will only speak for tax, but there are so many paths underneath the umbrella of tax (individual tax, passthrough tax, corporate tax, tax provisions, international tax, R&D credit calculations, strategic method review, state taxes, etc.). So even once I had chosen tax, I still had time to figure out which niche within tax suited me the best. Ultimately you have to make your best guess at what you think you will like, and see how it goes. Internships are very valuable, and I recall when I was recruiting that some companies offered joint internships where you would experience both audit and tax.
Since I am in tax I will only speak for tax, but there are so many paths underneath the umbrella of tax (individual tax, passthrough tax, corporate tax, tax provisions, international tax, R&D credit calculations, strategic method review, state taxes, etc.). So even once I had chosen tax, I still had time to figure out which niche within tax suited me the best. Ultimately you have to make your best guess at what you think you will like, and see how it goes. Internships are very valuable, and I recall when I was recruiting that some companies offered joint internships where you would experience both audit and tax.
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Luis’s Answer
Hi Ashli, as someone who started their career in tax and then transitioned into audit & assurance, I can attest to the fact that it an be a challenging decision. I think doing your best to get some level of experience in both during your college years can really help you in this decision. You should also keep in mind how you have enjoyed your tax related classes compared to your audit related classes. Your skills will be transferable across the general accounting industry so you should definitely not feel like you won't have any flexibility regardless of which path you choose!
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Armando’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
Let me share a positive view from an audit perspective. What I love about auditing is getting to know our clients' businesses, understanding their processes, and seeing how they work. I find it rewarding to help clients with tough accounting issues, and it also allows me to learn new things across different industries.
Let me share a positive view from an audit perspective. What I love about auditing is getting to know our clients' businesses, understanding their processes, and seeing how they work. I find it rewarding to help clients with tough accounting issues, and it also allows me to learn new things across different industries.
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Marisa’s Answer
Hello! I began my career in tax before switching to audit and assurance. My advice is to follow what excites you, but keep in mind that your first choice doesn't have to be your only path. Always be on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and grow. An accounting degree can lead to many great options if you build a strong network and stay curious about other roles.
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Michelle’s Answer
Honestly, my biggest piece of advice is to apply to anything that’s open, haha. I know that sounds bad, but at PwC, you can switch sectors/ positions based on availablity. I’m in audit right now, and if I wanted to move to tax because I’m bored, the firm would support that.
The hardest part is getting in. Once you’re in, you can move around year over year. Just apply to any open job, any associate position, or any internship at PwC. Trust that you’ll learn. You’ll learn to like it or hate it, and if you hate it, you can switch sectors, practices, etc.!
The hardest part is getting in. Once you’re in, you can move around year over year. Just apply to any open job, any associate position, or any internship at PwC. Trust that you’ll learn. You’ll learn to like it or hate it, and if you hate it, you can switch sectors, practices, etc.!
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Tom’s Answer
Many students face this same question while majoring in accounting, so you're definitely not alone. Based on my experience working across audit, tax, and advisory, a key starting point is understanding your interests early on.
Unless you have a strong interest in tax, I would generally recommend exploring audit or advisory. Tax can be a great path, but it tends to be more specialized, and many people either know early on that they enjoy it or decide it’s not for them.
A common path is to start in audit and then transition into advisory. Audit provides a strong foundation in accounting, which makes it a valuable stepping stone into advisory-type roles. However, if you have the opportunity to go directly into advisory, that can be even more beneficial since it often involves more strategic, analytical, and project-based work.
Lastly, I highly recommend working toward your CPA and passing as many sections as possible before starting full-time. It will make your transition into the workforce much smoother.
Unless you have a strong interest in tax, I would generally recommend exploring audit or advisory. Tax can be a great path, but it tends to be more specialized, and many people either know early on that they enjoy it or decide it’s not for them.
A common path is to start in audit and then transition into advisory. Audit provides a strong foundation in accounting, which makes it a valuable stepping stone into advisory-type roles. However, if you have the opportunity to go directly into advisory, that can be even more beneficial since it often involves more strategic, analytical, and project-based work.
Lastly, I highly recommend working toward your CPA and passing as many sections as possible before starting full-time. It will make your transition into the workforce much smoother.
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Tamesha’s Answer
Hey there!
One of the best things about being an accountant is the endless choices you have! You can explore different paths throughout your career without feeling pressured to decide everything right away. For me, internships played a big role in my decision. I liked my audit class more than my tax class in college, but my internship sparked my interest in tax.
During my internship, I got to try tax, audit, and consulting. I found the tax work more interesting, while audit didn't really excite me. That helped me focus more on tax in my classes. Others might feel differently and prefer audit or consulting. So, keep an open mind and give it a try yourself. Do an audit internship, do a tax internship, and see what fits you best.
One of the best things about being an accountant is the endless choices you have! You can explore different paths throughout your career without feeling pressured to decide everything right away. For me, internships played a big role in my decision. I liked my audit class more than my tax class in college, but my internship sparked my interest in tax.
During my internship, I got to try tax, audit, and consulting. I found the tax work more interesting, while audit didn't really excite me. That helped me focus more on tax in my classes. Others might feel differently and prefer audit or consulting. So, keep an open mind and give it a try yourself. Do an audit internship, do a tax internship, and see what fits you best.
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Julio’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
I remember being in your position not too long ago. As a sophomore, you have plenty of time to figure out your path in accounting, so try not to worry too much right now. I suggest applying for different internships to see what you like best.
I was lucky to try internships in both Tax and Audit, which helped me decide to focus on audit. I found audit to be a team-oriented environment, and I loved working with others to reach a shared goal. My tax internship was different; I mostly worked alone and didn't get to collaborate as much.
Keep up the great work! Keep reaching out to professionals, and try to attend career fairs and networking events whenever you can.
I remember being in your position not too long ago. As a sophomore, you have plenty of time to figure out your path in accounting, so try not to worry too much right now. I suggest applying for different internships to see what you like best.
I was lucky to try internships in both Tax and Audit, which helped me decide to focus on audit. I found audit to be a team-oriented environment, and I loved working with others to reach a shared goal. My tax internship was different; I mostly worked alone and didn't get to collaborate as much.
Keep up the great work! Keep reaching out to professionals, and try to attend career fairs and networking events whenever you can.
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Grace’s Answer
Try not to box yourself into only traditional accounting roles. You may find yourself interested in paths that are less directly related, and exploring those options can help you better understand what truly suits you. Even then, accounting can remain a valuable foundation because it builds skills that transfer across many careers, such as organization, analysis, and decision-making. That means your path does not have to be limited to one area. It can grow into something broader that combines your interests with the strengths you develop through accounting.
Steven Graham
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller, VP Finance
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Answers
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Steven’s Answer
Ashli,
Congrats on being a first generation college attendee...I was the same in my family.
Tough question.....I'll answer it in reverse order.
Advisory services generally require knowledge in a specific area of expertise whether it be systems, controls, specific industry knowledge, etc. As such, it's my view that you should think about moving to an advisory role after you've seen and worked with various disciplines within accounting and you come across something that really gets you going.
While tax is accounting, it's really working with sets of tax regulations, federal and state, and, once you've become proficient in the preparation of client returns, moving into tax planning which involves working with specific companies in specific industries to see how the books and records can be adapted to those regulations to benefit the taxes payable by the company. It can be really interesting if you get into the international side of taxes. While you can go directly into the tax side, in my view, you would be well served in working with clients sets of books to understand how the accounting piece work since that underlies everything that winds up on taxes' plate.
Accounting could be auditing or private company accounting. When i started my career, I went with a firm that had a great mix of small, medium and large clients that enabled me to learn how accounting systems flowed, how items should be recorded and how to apply the theory of accounting to financial statements including writing financial statements and related noted. It's difficult to find that nowadays with the large size of the largest accounting firms. There is something to be said for the large firms as well since they'll incorporate the highest use of AI in their work, they'll provide significant training and you can get exposure to major corporations. My sense is that the second tier first, which are very good in their own right, can provide more of a rounded accounting experience, education and background while still using AI and providing very good training. To get a better understanding of the types of firms, you can work with the career services at Baruch (I almost went there but wound up at Pace). You could also see if a few of the firms, large and small, have career days or enable students to visit them to gain a better understanding of how they function.
Based on what you find out, you can see what internships are available so that you can get a first hand "touch and feel" of what it means to work in auditing. If you decide to go into industry accounting, you can also see what internships are available to see what working in an industry accounting departments means. Career services will be your best bet to let you know what it out there that you can take advantage of.
I interned during college with the accounting firm that I wound up working for and it really helped me solidify that's what I wanted to do...as the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. That's why I believe that you should push hard for that path. Of course, you need good grades to be able to be considered for internships as well but I'm sure that's no issue!
BTW - you have make sure that you're well grounded in AI as accounting, regardless of where it's being applied, is becoming more and more prevalent.
To see how AI is expected to change the accounting profession, take a look at the March issue of the AICPA magazine and the Wall Street articles in the apr 7 and April 10 issues. They lay out very clearly the effect AI is currently expected to affect the profession and how the big 4 accounting firms are making related changes to the manner in which they operate.
Good luck.
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2026/feb/how-ai-is-transforming-the-audit-and-what-it-means-for-cpas/
https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/in-this-critical-part-of-audits-the-accountants-role-is-shrinking-fast-69c7f2bc
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/accountants-audit-inventory-tax-day-59b1b71f
Congrats on being a first generation college attendee...I was the same in my family.
Tough question.....I'll answer it in reverse order.
Advisory services generally require knowledge in a specific area of expertise whether it be systems, controls, specific industry knowledge, etc. As such, it's my view that you should think about moving to an advisory role after you've seen and worked with various disciplines within accounting and you come across something that really gets you going.
While tax is accounting, it's really working with sets of tax regulations, federal and state, and, once you've become proficient in the preparation of client returns, moving into tax planning which involves working with specific companies in specific industries to see how the books and records can be adapted to those regulations to benefit the taxes payable by the company. It can be really interesting if you get into the international side of taxes. While you can go directly into the tax side, in my view, you would be well served in working with clients sets of books to understand how the accounting piece work since that underlies everything that winds up on taxes' plate.
Accounting could be auditing or private company accounting. When i started my career, I went with a firm that had a great mix of small, medium and large clients that enabled me to learn how accounting systems flowed, how items should be recorded and how to apply the theory of accounting to financial statements including writing financial statements and related noted. It's difficult to find that nowadays with the large size of the largest accounting firms. There is something to be said for the large firms as well since they'll incorporate the highest use of AI in their work, they'll provide significant training and you can get exposure to major corporations. My sense is that the second tier first, which are very good in their own right, can provide more of a rounded accounting experience, education and background while still using AI and providing very good training. To get a better understanding of the types of firms, you can work with the career services at Baruch (I almost went there but wound up at Pace). You could also see if a few of the firms, large and small, have career days or enable students to visit them to gain a better understanding of how they function.
Based on what you find out, you can see what internships are available so that you can get a first hand "touch and feel" of what it means to work in auditing. If you decide to go into industry accounting, you can also see what internships are available to see what working in an industry accounting departments means. Career services will be your best bet to let you know what it out there that you can take advantage of.
I interned during college with the accounting firm that I wound up working for and it really helped me solidify that's what I wanted to do...as the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. That's why I believe that you should push hard for that path. Of course, you need good grades to be able to be considered for internships as well but I'm sure that's no issue!
BTW - you have make sure that you're well grounded in AI as accounting, regardless of where it's being applied, is becoming more and more prevalent.
To see how AI is expected to change the accounting profession, take a look at the March issue of the AICPA magazine and the Wall Street articles in the apr 7 and April 10 issues. They lay out very clearly the effect AI is currently expected to affect the profession and how the big 4 accounting firms are making related changes to the manner in which they operate.
Good luck.
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2026/feb/how-ai-is-transforming-the-audit-and-what-it-means-for-cpas/
https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/in-this-critical-part-of-audits-the-accountants-role-is-shrinking-fast-69c7f2bc
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/accountants-audit-inventory-tax-day-59b1b71f
Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful advice, it was incredibly helpful. I really appreciate you breaking down the differences between audit, tax, and advisory, and I will definitely take advantage of My school's career services and start exploring the different firms as you suggested. I'll also look into the resources you shared about AI. Thanks again for your guidance!
Ashli
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Vanessa’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
Many of us have the same question because an accounting degree offers so many options. As a college student, focus on what interests you most. For example, I realized tax accounting wasn't my passion because the classes didn't engage me as much.
I recommend trying internships that let you explore different areas of business. Rotational internships are great for this. They give you a glimpse into the accounting field and how we work.
Many of us have the same question because an accounting degree offers so many options. As a college student, focus on what interests you most. For example, I realized tax accounting wasn't my passion because the classes didn't engage me as much.
I recommend trying internships that let you explore different areas of business. Rotational internships are great for this. They give you a glimpse into the accounting field and how we work.
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
It's normal not to know exactly what path you want to take right now. Let me share why I chose a career in audit, and maybe some of it will resonate with you. In audit, we work closely as a team, learning from each other all the time. I love being part of a team that solves problems and works towards common goals. We also work directly with clients, which means we get to understand their processes deeply and see how they achieve their results. I find it rewarding to ask questions and learn the reasons behind things. While technical accounting is important, audit also requires knowledge of different business areas like HR, payroll, and sales. This exposure to various parts of a company is another reason I chose audit. Plus, focusing on different industries has helped me use my audit experience to explore accounting advisory roles. I hope this gives you a clearer idea of what being an auditor is like.
It's normal not to know exactly what path you want to take right now. Let me share why I chose a career in audit, and maybe some of it will resonate with you. In audit, we work closely as a team, learning from each other all the time. I love being part of a team that solves problems and works towards common goals. We also work directly with clients, which means we get to understand their processes deeply and see how they achieve their results. I find it rewarding to ask questions and learn the reasons behind things. While technical accounting is important, audit also requires knowledge of different business areas like HR, payroll, and sales. This exposure to various parts of a company is another reason I chose audit. Plus, focusing on different industries has helped me use my audit experience to explore accounting advisory roles. I hope this gives you a clearer idea of what being an auditor is like.
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hi Ashli,
I am a consultant specializing in finance and accounting transformation. In other words, I help finance and accounting teams with whatever problems they may have. Those problems can come in the form technology, process improvement, organization structure, and more. I have worked closely with both auditors and tax accountants throughout my career, and one of the key differentiators that I think you should keep in mind when choosing a career path is your appetite for change and tolerance for ambiguity. Consulting and advisory roles can be very unstructured in comparison to audit and tax roles. While companies you may one day audit or prepare tax returns for can have their own unique nuances, the work you will be doing will be somewhat similar. On the other hand, consulting and advisory roles vary greatly and you may find yourself doing completely new things every few months. So if you are someone who appreciates structure and routine, I would recommend audit or tax. If you are someone who wants a broad set of experiences and you are okay with frequent change, then consulting and advisory is for you.
I am a consultant specializing in finance and accounting transformation. In other words, I help finance and accounting teams with whatever problems they may have. Those problems can come in the form technology, process improvement, organization structure, and more. I have worked closely with both auditors and tax accountants throughout my career, and one of the key differentiators that I think you should keep in mind when choosing a career path is your appetite for change and tolerance for ambiguity. Consulting and advisory roles can be very unstructured in comparison to audit and tax roles. While companies you may one day audit or prepare tax returns for can have their own unique nuances, the work you will be doing will be somewhat similar. On the other hand, consulting and advisory roles vary greatly and you may find yourself doing completely new things every few months. So if you are someone who appreciates structure and routine, I would recommend audit or tax. If you are someone who wants a broad set of experiences and you are okay with frequent change, then consulting and advisory is for you.
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Meigan’s Answer
Hi Ashli!
I also struggled with this question a lot! At the time the things that were told to me were:
Tax - Consistent, predictable work. You generally have an assigned desk/office space with consistent coworkers. Great for someone who likes routine and predictability. You generally have multiple clients across several teams so you get to know a wide variety of people.
Audit - Travel may be required as auditors usually go to the client site and work together in an assigned office there. You generally have a core team who you get to know really well since you're on the same project with them.
I ultimately ended up going down the "tax" path, so take my audit response with a grain of salt. That being said, at the end of the day the work is just the work. I think it would be most helpful to think about the lifestyle aspect of which career you'd prefer.
I also struggled with this question a lot! At the time the things that were told to me were:
Tax - Consistent, predictable work. You generally have an assigned desk/office space with consistent coworkers. Great for someone who likes routine and predictability. You generally have multiple clients across several teams so you get to know a wide variety of people.
Audit - Travel may be required as auditors usually go to the client site and work together in an assigned office there. You generally have a core team who you get to know really well since you're on the same project with them.
I ultimately ended up going down the "tax" path, so take my audit response with a grain of salt. That being said, at the end of the day the work is just the work. I think it would be most helpful to think about the lifestyle aspect of which career you'd prefer.
Updated
Chris’s Answer
It's normal not to know yet, but I'd think about both the work and the long-term trend. Audit is a good foundation, but it can involve more travel and a lot of repetitive testing, which automation/AI may continue to impact.
Tax also has automation, but the law changes constantly, so there is still a lot of judgment, research, and applying rules to facts. That makes it a little more protected from pure automation, in my view.
Try to get internship exposure, but if you like rules, research, and problem-solving, tax can be a strong path. CPA progress, Excel skills, and communication will help in any route.
Tax also has automation, but the law changes constantly, so there is still a lot of judgment, research, and applying rules to facts. That makes it a little more protected from pure automation, in my view.
Try to get internship exposure, but if you like rules, research, and problem-solving, tax can be a strong path. CPA progress, Excel skills, and communication will help in any route.