Explore Majors, Careers, & Cities

Audit

Auditors evaluate the validity of companies’ financial statements, and ensure these statements have been prepared and reported accurately. Internal auditors provide the board, audit committee, and executive management with an analysis of the corporation’s risk management, control, and governance processes. External auditors assure investors and creditors that audited corporations’ financial statements are accurate and in accordance with accounting laws.

Tax Accounting

Tax accountants prepare tax returns and create tax strategies for both individuals and corporations. When working with corporate clients, tax accountants focus on the U.S. corporate income tax return, form 1120; when working with individual clients, they focus on form 1040. Other issues that tax accountants help clients with include determination of taxable income, determining the applicable tax rate, recording appropriate deductions, and computing deferred tax credits and liabilities.

Managerial Accounting

Managerial accountants use accounting information to help managers make day-to-day and short-term decisions. The practice extends to three areas: strategic management (advancing the role of the managerial accountant as a strategic partner), performance management (developing the practice of business decision-making and managing the performance of the organization), and risk management (identifying, measuring, managing, and reporting risks to the achievement of the organization).

International Accounting

International accountants are concerned with applying accounting principle practices in different countries. This encompasses patterns of accounting development overseas, international and regional harmonization, foreign currency translation, foreign exchange risk, international comparisons of consolidation accounting and inflation accounting, and evaluation of foreign subsidiaries.

Public-Sector Accounting

Public-sector accountants help government agencies and municipalities record financial transactions on a local, state, or federal basis. In particular, public-sector accountants help track funds generated from tax revenues and expenditures related to projects. They make sure that revenues are received and spent in accordance with laws and regulations, as well as examine the records of government agencies and audit private businesses whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation.

Financial Accounting

Financial accountants prepare financial statements and other financial disclosures for the companies they work for, as well as analyze the financial information of outside companies for strategic purposes; for example, to consider investing in a firm, entering a joint venture, or pursuing an acquisition. A financial accountant must be aware of current developments in accounting as well as stay abreast of changing regulatory requirements and general economic conditions. The financial information and analytical expertise of financial accountants are used by many parties to make informed decisions, such as managers and executives within firms and any outside party who desires to better understand a company’s financial condition and performance.

Bozeman

• Anderson ZurMuehlen
• Rudd & Company
• Clark Nuber PS
• Wipfli
• Amatics

National

• EY
• Moss Adams LLP
• Deloitte
• BDO
• KPMG LLP

Top 50 Accounting firms based on quality of life rankings and overall prestige

Clubs/Organizations

• MSU Accounting ClubThe MSU Accounting Club promotes the study and practice of accounting, finance, and information systems. All members have the opportunity to learn about careers within accounting, finance, and information systems; interact with national and regional firms; network with fellow classmates and professors; and participate in community service events.

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) CPAs have the authority to audit the work of other financial professionals—in the public accounting firms, the high ranking titles and levels require a CPA license. The CPA exam consists of four sections: auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation. To be eligible to sit for the CPA exam, one must have completed at least 225-quarter hours of college education and have a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in accounting from an accredited university. The 225-credits requirement can be achieved either through a fifth year of undergraduate education, or a Masters in Public Accounting program.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) The CIA designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors. The CIA exam is offered in four parts: the internal audit activity’s role in governance, risk, and control; conducting the internal audit engagement; business analysis and information technology; and business management skills. All CIA candidates must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, as well as complete a minimum of two years of internal auditor or related work experience.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) The CMA credential speaks to one’s mastery of financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics. In order to earn a CMA certification, all candidates must be a member in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, and two years of work experience in management accounting or financial management. The CMA exam consists of two parts: financial planning, performance and control, and financial decision making. Candidates can complete the CMA program in either six months or over three years to gain certification.

 

• Financial Analysis
  Financial analysts play an integral role in today’s competitive economy. Since the 1970s, job opportunities in finance and banking have flourished, due to the increasing complexity of investment options. A financial analyst will research a client’s or organization’s financial status, including their history, risk tolerance, and current expenditures and investments. They make recommendations based on financial goals and business environments.
• Financial Consulting
  Financial consultants provide advice on securities pricing, strategies for creating shareholder value, business valuation, economic forecasts and analysis, and input into treasury management.
• Finance Management
  Financial managers direct financial reporting, investment activities, and cash management strategies at any number of professional or government organizations. Financial management calls on creative thinking skills and one’s ability to see the broad business picture in order to direct one’s team accordingly.
• Commercial Banking
  While the banking sector continues to consolidate, more people are employed in commercial banking than any other part of the financial services industry.
• Corporate Finance
  A career in corporate finance leads to helping companies find the money to run their business, make it grow, make acquisitions, plan for the business’s financial future, and manage any cash on hand. One might work for a large multinational company or a smaller firm with high growth prospects. The key to performing well is to work with long-term goals. Financial officers concentrate on areas such as liquidity, flexibility, compliance with laws, and regulatory support.
• Investment Banking
  Investment bankers work within companies and governments to issue securities, help investors trade securities, manage financial assets, and provide financial advice. Smaller firms may be oriented towards bond trading, M&A advisory, technical analysis, or program trading.
• Money Management
  Money managers hold stocks and bonds for institutional clients and are on the buy-side of Wall Street. Money managers must be proficient in the latest sophisticated quantitative methodology. Many people cross over into money management after years of experience in selling positions in investment banks. A solid background in portfolio theory, fixed income investments, and CFA certification is required.
• Financial Planning
  Financial planners concentrate on helping individuals with their financial futures. This work requires excellent interpersonal skills. A good financial planner understands investments, taxes, and estate planning issues. Financial planners can practice within a company or as a sole proprietor if they have strong entrepreneurial skills.
• Insurance
  Careers in insurance involve helping individuals and businesses manage risk to protect themselves from catastrophic losses and to anticipate potential risk areas. Careers in this area involve helping clients understand their insurance needs and their options, and selecting appropriate policies. Career options in insurance include underwriters, sales representatives, asset managers, and customer service representatives.
• Real Estate
  Career options in real estate include title insurance, construction, mortgage banking, property management, real estate appraisal, brokerage and leasing, and real estate development. Real estate brokers also need a regional license.

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.

Bozeman

• Monteith Wealth
• XY Planning Network
• Enterprise Holdings
• D.A. Davidson
• WealthVest

National

• FDIC
• Goldman Sachs
• EY
• H&R Block

Clubs/Organizations

• MSU Finance Club Email: Dr. Gary Caton gary.caton@montana.edu. The Finance Club’s main goal is to serve as an intermediary between students and professionals working in the fields of: investment banking, asset management, sales, trading, corporate treasuries, and risk management. They also seeks to provide students with an opportunity to grow both academically and professionally through experiential learning. Students come together and share their insights on market developments and gain from communicating with and challenging the views of their peers.

Certifications

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Those with the CFP designation have demonstrated competency in all areas of financial planning. Candidates complete studies on over 100 topics, including stocks, bonds, taxes, insurance, retirement planning and estate planning. The program is administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam, candidates must also complete qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board’s code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning standards.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) This designation is offered by the CFA Institute (formerly the Association for Investment Management and Research [AIMR]). To obtain the CFA charter, candidates must successfully complete three difficult exams and gain at least three years of qualifying work experience, among other requirements. In passing these exams, candidates demonstrate their competence, integrity and extensive knowledge in accounting, ethical and professional standards, economics, portfolio management and security analysis.
• Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in mutual funds and the mutual fund industry. These individuals often advise clients on which funds to invest in and, depending on whether or not they have their license, they will buy and sell funds for clients. The Institute of Business and Finance (IBF), formerly known as the Institute of Certified Fund Specialists, provides training for the CFS, and the course focuses on a variety of mutual fund topics, including portfolio theory, dollar-cost averaging and annuities.
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) Individuals with the ChFC designation have demonstrated their vast and thorough knowledge of financial planning. The ChFC program is administered by the American College. In addition to successful completion of an exam on areas of financial planning, including income tax, insurance, investment and estate planning, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of experience in a financial industry position.

• Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC) Given by the Investment Counsel Association, this is a designation that CFA charterholders who are currently registered investment advisors can study for. The focus of the CIC program is portfolio management. In addition to proving their high-level expertise in portfolio management, these individuals must also adhere to a strict code of ethics and provide character references.
• Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) This designation focuses on asset allocation, ethics, due diligence, risk measurement, investment policy and performance measurement. Only individuals who are investment consultants with at least three years of professional experience are eligible to try to obtain this certification, which signifies a high level of consulting expertise. The Investment Management Consultants Association offers the CIMA courses.
• Chartered Market Technician (CMT): To achieve this designation, an individual must pass three exams offered by the Market Technicians Association (MTA) and agree to adhere to the MTA code of ethics. Individuals with the CMT designation have a demonstrated expertise in the field of technical analysis. Often CMTs will work for hedge funds and money management firms.
• Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (CPA and PFS) Those holding the CPA designation have passed examinations on accounting and tax preparation, but their title does not indicate training in other areas of finance. So, those CPA holders who are interested in gaining expertise in financial planning in order to supplement their accounting careers need to become certified as personal finance specialists (PFS). The PFS designation is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to those who have taken additional training and already have a CFP designation.
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) This designation is issued by the American College, and those who hold it work mostly as insurance agents. The CLU designation is awarded to persons who complete a 10-course program of study and 20 hours of exams. The course covers the fundamentals of life and health insurance, pension planning, insurance law, income taxation, investments, financial and estate planning, and group benefits.

 

• Organizational Development: Organizational development is the conscious effort of planning ahead to further an organization’s significance and viability in the workplace. A career in organizational development is geared towards transitioning individuals, groups, or organizations from a current state to a future one, which is also known as Change Management.
• Change Management: An individual specializing in this area of knowledge works with the company’s employees to ensure they know how to deal with change in the workplace. Another area of organizational development focuses on the transitions associated with outsourcing. As more companies turn to outsourcing areas of their business, leaders are needed to ensure the company’s leadership and organizational structure is functional.
• Diversity and Labor Relations
  • Diversity specialist: aims to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and help with the growth of their current employees.
  • Public policy advocate: focuses on work-related issues that are associated with various interest groups and societies.
  • Public agency staff: works with specific public agencies to ensure various government laws on discrimination are enforced.
• Human Capital: Human capital is interested in coming up with new methods to invest in their employees to ensure they are fostering their growth and keeping the talent within the company. Leaders in this field focus on the trends in human resources to develop leadership within the company. Developing a company’s talent pool by sourcing the right people for the jobs at hand is a talent of its own.
• Leadership Development: Leadership development specialists strive to better the quality of leadership within an individual and organization. A person in this field specializes in implementing executive retreats, online learning courses, and other team building exercises within the company to enhance leadership within the company.
• Organizational Behavior: Organizational behavior is the study of individuals and their behavior within the context of the organization in a workplace setting. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes sociology, psychology, communication and management . Specialists in this area focus on enhancing the overall business workplace setting to foster employee productivity and work performance.
• Promotional Advancement & Compensation: As employees grow within the organization, they require recognition, compensation, or benefits as a reward of their hard efforts. People focusing in this area ensure that these three forms of incentives are meeting the needs of their employees.

With a Management degree there are a wide variety of career opportunities. Due to the varied nature of the business world there is not a set list of major firms. At every company, there is a need for people with an Management background so the company can hire and retain the best employees.

However, there are also firms that provide Management consulting services to help companies in fields involving human capital, health and benefits, mergers and acquisitions, communication, retirement, and recruitment process outsourcing.

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list

Bozeman

• Murdoch's 
• Enterprise Holdings
• Foundant
• PIE

National

• McKinsey & Company
• The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
• Bain & Company
• CED
• Deloitte Consulting

Clubs/Organizations

• MSU Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Advisor: Mark Hom,  mark.hom@montana.edu. SHRM is the world’s largest HR association and strives to further professional standards, development and certification. The group is open to anyone who wants to better investigate the Human Resource industry, wants the benefits from what HR can teach or plans on making a career out of Human Resources.

Certifications

Please note: certifications listed below may or may not be mandatory for entrance

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) The PHR certification focuses on the technical and operational aspects of HR practices. This certification is for HR professionals who focus in program implementation and have responsibilities that focus on the HR department instead of the whole organization. The PHR exam is divided into six parts: business management and strategy, workforce planning and employment, human resource development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Typical candidates with a bachelor’s degree have two to four years of professional work experience in all HR disciplines before taking the exam.
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) The SPHR certification is designed for HR professionals who design and plan HR policies instead of aid in implementation, understand the business beyond the HR function, and have ultimate accountability in the HR department. The SPHR exam is divided into six parts: business management and strategy, workforce planning and employment, human resource development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Typical candidates with a bachelor’s degree have a minimum of five years of professional HR experience.
• Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) The GPHR certification is designed for HR professionals that have HR responsibilities that cross national borders, understand the strategies of globalization versus localization of HR policies and programs, and design organizational programs, processes, and tools to achieve worldwide business goals. The GPHR exam is divided into five parts: strategic HR management, global talent acquisition and mobility, global compensation and benefits, organizational effectiveness and talent development, and workforce relations and risk management. Typical candidates with a bachelor’s degree have a minimum of three years of professional HR experience, with two out of the three years being global HR experience.

 

• Advertising/Promotion Advertising positions are available in advertising departments within companies, media companies, and agencies.
• Public Relations/Communications Public relations professionals manage company communications and relations with the media, investors, community members, and legislators.
• Market Research/Marketing Analysis If you are an analytical person who enjoys numbers and analysis, and enjoys tracking consumer behavior, then market research may be the field for you. Market researchers employ a variety of different qualitative and quantitative research techniques to understand consumers.
• Marketing Consulting Many consulting firms now hire industry or functional experts that focus on marketing issues. These firms need people who can develop expertise in the areas of branding, market research, continuous relationship marketing, pricing strategy, digital/new age, and business-to-business marketing.
• Internet Marketing/Social Media Responsible for planning and managing the delivery of marketing messages through all social media channels and monitors and responds to feedback received.
• Brand Management/Product Management In a typical brand management organizational structure, positions are developed around responsibility for a particular product rather than a specific functional expertise. Brand managers also determine the optimal pricing strategy for their product.
• Retailing Within merchandise management, buyers are responsible for selecting merchandise and setting prices. In a store management career, responsibilities include supervision of personnel and general management of facilities.
• Sales Employment in sales positions are found in a variety of organizations including insurance agencies, retailers, and financial services firms. Sales careers offer opportunities for rapid advancement, development of communication skills, and independence.
• International Marketing International marketing careers can be found in global settings including large multinational US corporations, small- to medium-size firms with export business, and franchises.

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list.

Bozeman Companies with Marketing Careers   Tadpull PRIME Hardy Brands JTech SITKA ORACLE	National Companies with Marketing Careers   Altria American Express Geico Google Hallmark Hewlett-Packard Macy’s Marriott Proctor & Gamble
	National Advertising Agencies   Campbell-Ewald DRAFTFCB Ogilvy Y&R Advertising Grey DDB Worldwide BBDO McCann Erickson JWT

Clubs/Organizations

• American Marketing Association (AMA) - Email: amamontanastate@montana.edu. We are a student-run marketing organization at the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship. We strive to provide resources and information for students so that when we “open the door” to Bozeman professionals they feel properly prepared. The MSU AMA provides a professional and fun environment that promotes proactive and passionate involvement.

Certifications

• Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) The AMA PCM credential is a symbol of professional excellence that affirms your mastery of marketing knowledge and commitment to quality in the practice of marketing. Certification, which is voluntary, requires passing a rigorous and comprehensive exam and then maintaining your certification through continuing education.
• Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) OMCP Certification verifies dedication to ongoing professional education and active participation in industry groups and events, helping marketers to distinguish themselves in a crowded marketplace, and clients to make informed decisions.
• Certified Internet Marketing and Business Strategist (CIMBS) This certification represents an accreditation program based on education and professional experience.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) Google offers many proof-of-proficiency tests to help you become more effective at making the best use of Google products within your organization.
• Google Adwords Whether you’re an individual or a company, you can demonstrate your proficiency in AdWords by joining the Google AdWords Certification Program. It’s a globally recognized stamp of approval which showcases knowledge of the latest AdWords tools and best practice techniques and will enable you to effectively manage AdWords campaigns.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a hot skill in today’s online job market. Whether you are designing websites, writing website copy or trying to market a product or service online, displaying your Search Engine Optimization Certified logo and certificate means you have the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve results. In addition, potential clients will feel safe knowing they are backed by Search Engine Optimization Certification’s dispute resolution services. Certification demonstrates to employers and clients alike that your expertise is accredited by a recognized industry organization.