Accounting, Finance & Economics

Defining Interest Communities: Pathways for Discovery, Purpose, and Vocation

Interest Communities serve as starting points for exploration, not boundaries. Every student’s path is unique, and the skills you develop through Assumption’s liberal arts education open doors to countless possibilities.

Each Interest Community highlights common academic pathways at Assumption University. For simplicity in web navigation, we’ve organized related areas of study that connect to this passion area. These groupings are meant to help you connect your coursework, experiences, and goals, but they are not intended to define or limit your options.

Rooted in the liberal arts and guided by our mission to awaken a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, Assumption challenges you to think critically, communicate effectively, and act with thoughtful citizenship. Whether you study biology, philosophy, business, or the arts, your education here prepares you to thrive in diverse fields and serve the common good.

Your journey of meaning, purpose, and vocation extends far beyond your major. Explore freely. Your path may include electives, double majors, minors, or concentrations across disciplines. Your career direction will reflect your curiosity, values, and the connections you build along the way, not just your academic label.

Explore Finance, Accounting & Economics Programs at Assumption University

Accounting – Gain CPA/CMA exam eligibility and accounting skills, complemented by liberal arts coursework in business law, management, and marketing.

Finance – Study investing and business finance through hands-on projects. Build math skills and ethical judgment rooted in Assumption’s liberal arts tradition and economics foundation.

Economics – Analyze markets, policy, and people through data and economic theory. Solve real-world challenges while building flexible skills rooted in Assumption’s Catholic liberal arts tradition.

Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting – Fight fraud with accounting expertise, investigative skills, ethics, cybersecurity knowledge, and communication. Assumption’s liberal arts foundation prepares you for a diverse range of careers in financial investigation.

Law and the Economy – Explore how laws shape economies and daily life. Study constitutional law, fiscal policy, and their intersections to prepare for finance, government, or law careers.

Discover Common Pathways to Purpose & Vocation in Accounting, Finance, & Economics

Note: These example occupations are provided to spark inspiration and exploration of interest. This is not an exhaustive list, rather a starting point.

Auditor – Examine and verify financial records, statements, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, compliance with laws and standards, and detection of errors or fraud. They prepare reports with findings and recommendations for organizations, stakeholders, or legal purposes.

Budget Analyst – Develop, analyze, and manage organizational budgets by reviewing spending, forecasting costs, evaluating funding requests, and recommending adjustments to ensure financial efficiency and goal alignment.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Licensed accountants who prepare tax returns, conduct audits, ensure financial compliance, and advise clients on accurate record-keeping and tax strategies.

Commercial Lender – Evaluate business loan applications, assess creditworthiness and collateral (often real estate), structure financing like term loans or lines of credit, and manage relationships to support company growth and cash flow needs.

Compliance Specialist – Ensure organizational adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies. Conduct audits, risk assessments, employee training, and report findings to leadership.

Corporate Controller – Oversee company accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, internal audits, and regulatory compliance while managing accounting teams and staff.

Economic Policy Analyst – Research economic data and trends to inform government policies on taxes, spending, employment, and trade. Analyze impacts and recommend solutions to improve societal well-being.

Economic Researcher – Collect, analyze, and interpret economic data to identify trends, forecast conditions, and inform policy, business strategies, or financial planning through reports, models, and studies.

Financial Analyst – Evaluate investment opportunities, assess company performance, and provide data-driven recommendations to help organizations make smart financial decisions.

Financial Planner – Create personalized financial plans for individuals covering retirement, investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning to help achieve long-term wealth goals.

Forensic Accountant – Investigate financial records to detect fraud, embezzlement, and misconduct. Analyze transactions, trace funds, quantify losses, and testify as expert witnesses in legal proceedings.

Investment Analyst – Research market trends and company financials using ratios, DCF models, and peer comparisons. Recommend buy/sell decisions to help portfolio managers make wise investments.

Labor Economist – Analyze employment data, workforce trends, and labor policies to inform government and business decisions on wages, hiring, unemployment, and worker conditions.

Market Research Analyst – Study consumer preferences, market conditions, and competitors to assess sales potential, forecast trends, and guide marketing strategies through data analysis, surveys, and reports.

Payroll Specialist – Ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while complying with tax regulations, by managing payroll data, calculating deductions, resolving discrepancies, and generating reports using payroll software.

Regulatory Analyst – Ensure organizational compliance with government regulations and laws by monitoring operations, conducting audits, reviewing permits/licenses, and recommending policy adjustments.

Risk Management Specialist – Identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risks from financial, operational, cyber, and compliance threats. Develop strategies, monitor controls, and advise leadership on risk mitigation.

Tax Analyst – Review tax liabilities and practices for companies or individuals, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws while identifying tax-saving opportunities through data analysis and research.

Treasury Analyst – Manage corporate cash flow, liquidity, banking relationships, investments, and foreign exchange. Forecast funding needs, minimize risks, and ensure efficient financial operations.

Wealth Management Advisor – Provide comprehensive financial services to help high-net-worth individuals and families grow, protect, and manage their assets.

Build momentum through Explore → Build → Engage → Launch. Complete checklists, attend events at each stage, and tap Resources for career development support throughout.

First-Year: Explore

Explore accounting, finance, and economics through introductory courses and by getting involved with organizations such as Business Professionals of America, Financial Management Association, and Student Government Association (SGA). Learn about the Greyhound Investment Club and its prerequisites (FIN 325 Financial Management and ECO 115 Statistics) so you can plan your coursework early. Complete beginner-level LinkedIn Learning courses to explore interests in business, data, and financial decision-making. Take advantage of career events and networking opportunities.

Sophomore Year: Build

Deepen your coursework in accounting, finance, and economics while becoming more active in student organizations. Seek leadership roles in groups that align with your business interests, such as the Student Government Association (SGA), or other clubs where you can manage budgets, projects, or teams. After completing FIN 325 and ECO 115, explore the opportunity to join the Greyhound Investment Club for hands-on experience analyzing real stocks, screening investments, ranking portfolios, and handling actual trades.

Junior Year: Engage

Secure (or complete) at least one internship in accounting, banking, financial services, corporate finance, data analytics, or a related field to apply your skills in professional settings. Attend networking events and career fairs, and actively build your LinkedIn presence by highlighting coursework, projects, leadership roles, and internship experiences.

*Internships significantly boost graduate employability across studies. Students with internship experience consistently achieve higher job placement rates and better career outcomes than those without. (Baert, S., Neyt, B., Siedler, T., Tobback, I., & Verhaest, D. (2021).

*Declared accounting majors are required to fulfill an Accounting Internship (ACC-399) as part of their graduation requirement.

Senior Year: Launch

Launch with clarity. Apply best practices to your next step—full-time roles, graduate school, or a service year—using Resources for tailored résumés, cover letters, the job search, interview preparation, and networking strategies. Stay engaged with accounting and finance organizations to strengthen your network and support a smooth transition beyond Assumption.

LinkedIn Groups for Students Interested in Accounting, Finance & Economics

Why join LinkedIn groups? LinkedIn groups give you access to targeted professional communities where you can network with industry professionals, discover hidden job/internship opportunities, stay current on industry trends, ask career questions, and learn from experienced practitioners, all for free. As a student, joining these groups helps you build your professional network before graduation and signals a genuine interest to recruiters.

Recommended Groups for Assumption University Students:

Accounting & Finance Networking Group (New England) – Connect with accounting/finance professionals in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and throughout New England. Ideal for finding regional internships, mentoring relationships, and jobs near campus after graduation

Corporate Finance Network – Access discussions on corporate finance trends, best practices, and career advice from finance professionals working in corporations. Great for students interested in Financial Analyst, Treasury Analyst, or Corporate Controller roles.

Business Internship Networking – Specifically focused on internship postings and networking for students. Perfect for finding summer internships, learning about application tips, and connecting with recruiters actively hiring students.

Financial Control – Dive deep into financial control, reporting, and compliance topics. Valuable for students pursuing careers as Corporate Controllers, Compliance Specialists, or Financial Controllers.

Zeus Careers – Accounting & Finance Professionals – Recruiters and hiring managers from accounting/finance firms actively post jobs here. Great for discovering entry-level positions and CPA-track roles, and for connecting with recruiters at a public accounting firm.