Have you been working as an accountant and are looking for a change? It is challenging work and one that you may have grown tired of, so you may be considering your next career move.

Fortunately, the skills you have acquired transfer very well to other sectors, and that makes switching over pretty easy. You can find a more rewarding profession to put you on a better financial path. So, where do you begin?

Here are the six best accountant career change options:

Option #1: Financial planning career

If you are willing to take some risks and transition from an employee to an entrepreneur, becoming a financial planner will play to your strengths.

Your duties will be to create personalized financial plans for individuals and companies to help them achieve their short and long-term goals. This includes teaching them retirement and saving strategies, investment recommendations and tax planning, and retirement and estate planning. You need great analytical skills and be a good communicator as you work closely with clients to help them through diverse and changing circumstances.

You can work on a consulting basis, guiding companies by reviewing their business’s financial health, forecasting growth, and making financial models. Financial planning is available as a long-term career with lots of prospective growth. Alternatively, you can also gain experience through short-term contract finance jobs.

Option #2: FBI agent career

I know what you are thinking. How is being an accountant help you work for the FBI? The truth is, not all FBI agents work like law enforcement officers. That is only one aspect of a career as a federal agent.

When they prosecute criminals, evidence needs to be compiled, and it can be complex. Extensive financial data has to be gone through, and analyzing and auditing a business’s financial records needs to be done by qualified people. Federal financial investigators include money counterfeiting, corporate fraud, insider trading, and embezzlement.

Working in public service can be rewarding, but the screening process may take time. It will, however, be an exciting career.

Option #3: Financial journalist career

Some people love to put their thoughts to paper and have a knack for reporting information. Becoming a financial journalist may be the switch you’re looking for.

This multi-media job can have you reporting financial information in print, digital, or even for broadcast. You will be investigating current events and the important stories of the day from a financial standpoint and will be called upon for your expertise to report and analyze what is going on.

It is your job to break down complicated financial concepts in the world of commerce and finance so the public can understand them. There will be lots of digging up information and deciphering documents and data, and you may work with multiple sources to get your story complied.

Option #4: Teacher career

Like you, many people want to get into the profession of accounting, and you have the training to teach accounting and beyond. Besides accounting courses, other areas are in your skillset, including:

  • Math
  • Finance
  • Business

Teachers educate students in general and specialized topics depending on the grade level, and you may want to be a high school teacher or a professor in college and university. You will probably need a master’s degree to teach in schools and a doctorate to work in higher learning, but you may already be on your way with your current credentials. Academic qualifications are necessary, but you can also be professionally qualified.

Option #5: Entrepreneur career

What does it take to open up your own business? You need a great idea that you are passionate about and a solid business plan. Business owners are in charge of finances, staffing, management, advertising and marketing, and many other aspects, and they need a variety of skills to make their business successful.

Accountants know finance and what it takes to be profitable. They can handle the books of a new company and know how to interact with business professionals. They are adaptable, hard-working people who understand how to measure success metrics.

Option #6: Banking career

Accounting may drum up pictures of an introvert sitting in the corner of an office, hunched over their computer all day, but that isn’t reality. Most accountants are dynamic people that work alongside other business professionals and know how to communicate very well. These are also the qualities of a banker.

Being a banker means handling different financial transactions for clients and dealing with personal and business accounts, loans, and various investments. Their goal is to make profits for their clients and minimize their risk, and accountant has similar goals. Corporate bankers have a stronger understanding of finances and deal with larger clients as an accountant works for. The transition would be fairly easy and provide a new challenging, and exciting career while developing new skills.

Other new careers include:

  • Financial analyst
  • Financial manager
  • Reconciliation specialist
  • Budget analyst
  • Communications associate
  • Project manager
  • Credit analyst

There are many opportunities for an accountant to transition to, so it’s up to you to see where your interests lie. Research these career paths and see how well your skills will transfer and if you need additional education, go for it. If you wonder if being an accountant is all there is in life, then it’s time to pivot to something more inspiring.

Good luck on your quest as you re-energize your life with a new, rewarding career.