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If you’re interested in working with numbers and understanding the financial aspects of running a business, a degree in finance or accounting might appeal to you. Both degrees offer solid employment prospects and can help you launch or advance your business career.

Before you start researching degree programs, it’s important to understand that accounting and finance are not the same thing. While both fields deal with money management, finance and accounting are two separate areas of study and have very different roles within an organization.

Defining Finance and Accounting

Finance is the general management of money and investments. Accounting is the method by which companies keep track of their finances and involves detailed record keeping and analysis of financial transactions.

In other words, someone in finance is focused on the future, helping organizations and individuals make sound financial decisions that improve profitability or show a return on investment at a later date. Accounting professionals monitor the day-to-day flow of money in and out of an organization. Keeping track of revenues and losses is critical to helping a company understand its overall financial well-being.

Now, let’s explore the degrees themselves and how they differ.

What Do You Learn When You Study Finance?

When you study finance, you’ll learn principles in financial management, financial modeling, investments, and how economic factors can affect your company and the financial markets. This type of program prepares you to make strategic investment decisions based on a company or client’s financial health, the economic climate and market risk. Finance careers can be demanding, as your decisions often affect the bottom line for your organization or your clients.

Here are some of the entry-level jobs you could land with a degree in finance, according to Glassdoor.com:

• Financial Analyst
• Investment Advisor o Financial Planner
• Insurance Underwriter
• Budget Analyst
• Credit Analyst
• Junior Tax Associate
• Financial Auditor

What Do You Learn When You Study Accounting?

When you study accounting, you’ll learn how to prepare assets, assess liability, document financial transactions and analyze financial reports. There are several different types of accountants, and their responsibilities can vary depending on their work environment and qualifications.

For example, public accountants prepare taxes for organizations or individuals. They might also act as a financial advisor and help clients create personal budgets, manage investments, and save for retirement. Management accountants record and analyze financial data for their employer, so that the company can make informed financial decisions. A well-rounded accounting degree program will prepare you for success in a variety of specialties and environments.

Herzing University offers a several accounting programs tailored to your career goals. An amazing perk of these programs is that they all have online options as well!

• MBA – Accounting: Our MBA in Accounting program can help you build the necessary skillset to pursue management positions in accounting, finance, operations, and more. The primary goal of this program is to prepare you for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) so you can become a certified accountant.
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting: This program prepares you for a successful accounting career in both the private and public sectors. Your courses will help you apply accounting theory and techniques to real-world scenarios and develop the leadership skills needed for career advancement.
• Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting: An associate degree in accounting is a great way to begin your accounting career. Your classes will prepare you for entry-level roles in accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping, payroll and taxation.
• Diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting: This is an introductory program designed to provide students with a basic understanding of general accounting and payroll practices. Graduates of the diploma program qualify for entry-level bookkeeper positions, as well as support positions in payroll accounting.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Accountant as the #3 Best Business Job for 2019. Earning your degree in accounting can also prepare you for other in-demand jobs, such as:

• Bookkeeper
• Controller
• Accounting Manager
• Senior Auditor
• Tax Preparer
• Certified Public Accountant

Ready to make your decision?

Understanding the differences between a finance degree and an accounting degree can help you make the right decision for your future. Whichever path you choose, you’ll be preparing for a growing, stable career with a variety of job opportunities.

Whether you are looking for a career change, working toward your next promotion or seeking a personal sense of accomplishment, partnering with the career development team at your university can help you achieve your goals.

Career coaches support and guide students from the first day of class to graduation and beyond. Here are three ways career development coaches can help set you on a path to success.

1. Finding the best career for you

Career coaches assist with career exploration, which includes salary negotiation and job search strategies. If you have questions about a particular career field, career coaches can help bridge that gap. If you are in the process of researching different career fields, they can provide you with additional resources and information.

2. Building networking and interviewing skills

Career coaches can also help you develop valuable soft skills, such as communication skills necessary for interviewing and networking. These skills are essential for finding a job as well as ensuring ongoing career growth and development. Coaches can help you practice questions that might come up in an interview and strategize questions to ask potential employers.

You can work with your career coach to develop a strong LinkedIn profile and identify professional organizations that will help you expand your circle. Career coaches can also help you begin building your personal brand so that you can effectively position yourself for desired roles.

3. Creating a resume and portfolio

Finally, career coaches help guide you through the job search process step-by-step. Herzing University’s Career Development team recently launched the Career Center, a diverse platform of career resources built to help students at every level. In the Career Center, you can create a cover letter, resume, e-portfolio or even a business plan with the help of your career coach. The resource center is available 24/7 so busy students are able to get the help they need when it is most convenient for them.

No matter what your career goals are, the Career Development team at Herzing University is ready to partner with you.

We’ve got the quiz to help you decide what career-focused program is best suited for you. We’ll help you hone in on your search and feel confident in the pathway you’re about to embark on here at Herzing. Take this quiz today to learn what major you should study. 

In a high-demand field like medical assisting, competition for jobs can be intense. To make yourself stand out from the pool of other applicants, you need to showcase why are you are the best fit for the position.

Here are some tips for crafting a standout medical assisting resume.

1. Summarize your clinical and administrative skills

Medical assisting students or graduates should focus on displaying their proficiency with key clinical skills, such as administering medications and taking vitals. Be sure to also describe the impact of your work, such as helping an organization serve more patients, or working alongside a team of doctors and nurses to improve the patient experience.

If you are applying for a front desk medical assisting position, you also need to demonstrate that you have relevant administrative skills. For example, highlight your experience with using electronic medical records systems, or your knowledge of medical billing. Your proficiency with medical terminology is also an important skill for both front office and back office positions.

“Including relevant skills in your job descriptions will help your resume become more searchable by the Applicant Tracking System, a tool that many employers use to scan resumes for qualified candidates,” says Jennifer Osburn, a Career Development Coach at Herzing University.

2. Feature your work experience

If you’ve completed a medical assisting externship as part of your degree program, make sure this is featured prominently on your resume. Employers look for experienced candidates, even for entry-level roles. They want to be able to tell immediately whether you have the skills needed to succeed on the job, and externships are a good marker of your preparation and experience.

On the other hand, if you are a student looking for an externship, you might not have a lot of direct professional experience to highlight. In this case, you should showcase your relevant experiences, which can include academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities and volunteer work that make you a good fit for the position.

3. Highlight transferable skills

If your work experience does not directly align with the position you want, focus on highlighting the skills you have that would help you succeed in an MA role. These are called transferable skills.

Examples of skills that you may have performed at other, non-healthcare related positions that are transferable to an MA position include customer service, data entry, or clerical work. Employers also value soft skills, such as communication and teamwork.

4. List your education

It is important to include your education on your resume. Make sure to state the level of degree you’ve earned, such as a diploma or an associate degree in medical assisting. Also include your expected graduation date and any accolades you have received.

5. Showcase your certifications

Healthcare certifications like the Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers or first aid certification can help you differentiate yourself from the pool of other applicants. Be sure to include the dates for when you obtained these certifications, as well as when they are expected to expire. Medical assisting graduates should list their Registered Medical Assisting (RMA) certification or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification, as they are required by some states.

6. Update your resume for each position

Always be sure to update your resume to match the skills and requirements for the position. According to a Career Builder survey, 61% of employers are more likely to pay attention to a resume that is tailored to the position in question. Creating a customized resume demonstrates your interest in the positon and lets employers know how serious you are as a candidate.

Bonus: Resume Dos and Don’ts

There are certain dos and don’ts that apply to every resume, no matter the career or position.

Do:

• Organize your resume: Organize your skills and information in a way that is easy to digest and understand. A medical assisting resume will typically have a section for relevant skills at the top, followed by professional experience, education, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
• List a professional email: Make sure that you list a professional email at the top of your resume so it is easy for employers to contact you. If you are a student, you can use your college or university email address. Also, make sure that you have a professional voicemail message recorded for the phone number that you list.
• Save as a PDF: Do save your resume as a PDF. This may seem like a very trivial tip, but it can make a big difference in your job search. Sending your resume as a PDF ensures that whoever opens the file sees it exactly as you intended. Some word processing applications may not be compatible, and older versions of Word can have trouble opening emailed documents. You want to make it as easy as possible for recruiters and hiring managers to open, read and pass along your resume.

Don’t:

• Overlook typos: Typos and grammar mistakes show poor attention to detail and a lack of effort. Before you submit your resume to an employer, proofread it yourself or ask an advisor to review it with you.
• Sell yourself short: Your resume is your ticket to landing an interview. Make sure that it clearly shows your qualifications and why you are a good fit for the position. Consider all of the tips and tricks above to ensure your resume is the best it can be.

Where can you go to get resume help?

Herzing’s Career Development Team can help you organize your resume, share tips for improving your job descriptions, and review the final draft with you to make sure there are no typos or grammar mistakes. Visit Herzing’s online Career Center or set an appointment with your advisor to get started.