Top business schools such as NYU Stern, USC Marshall, and the London School of Economics offer Master in Accounting programs that build specialist accounting knowledge alongside a solid grounding in business fundamentals.
Many programs also help students prepare for professional qualifications such as the CPA, which strengthens their credibility early in their careers.
A Master in Accounting can lead to roles across accounting, finance, and auditing. Graduates often go on to work in public accounting firms, corporate finance teams, and advisory services.
We’ve rounded up five of the most popular accounting graduate jobs that you could apply to after you graduate, along with their median salaries in the US according to Glassdoor.
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1. Auditor
Median total US salary: $84,000
Auditing is a particularly specialized role, which involves reviewing financial statements to ensure they’re accurate and compliant with accounting standards and tax regulations.
Many Master in Accounting graduates join audit teams at the Big Four (EY, Deloitte, PwC and KPMG), where salaries typically range between $72,000 and $138,000 depending on level and location.
Auditing roles aren’t limited to the private sector, however. Government departments such as the United States Department of Defense also employ auditors, and pay competitive salaries averaging around $91,000.
2. Financial Analyst
Median total US salary: $106,000
Financial analysts work with financial data to explain performance and forecast outcomes. They build models, produce reports, and highlight what the numbers mean for future decisions. Because nearly every industry relies on financial insight, analysts can work in industries such as consulting, banking, tech, manufacturing.
At JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, median salaries are around $104,000 to $105,000. Tech firms tend to pay more. Apple offers around $143,000, while Google employees report median total compensation of roughly $185,000.
READ: Top 25 Best Accounting Firms To Work For | Vault Ranking 2025
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3. Senior Accountant
Median total US salary: $113,000
Large numbers of Master in Accounting graduates go on to work as chartered and certified accountants in a senior accountancy role.
Senior accountants provide analysis and report on financial records, alongside working with individuals on their tax filings. Many employers require senior accountants to have passed the Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) exam, but most Master in Accounting programs will help students meet the requirements to sit the exam after graduation.
At EY, senior accountants in the US can expect to earn around $117,000, while at PwC they earn salaries of around $124,000. Companies in a variety of sectors also employ in-house senior accountants. Within the tech industry, Google offers a considerably higher median salary of $205,000 to their senior accountants, while X offers $247,000.
4. Financial Manager
Median total US salary: $153,000
The role of a financial manager is to manage a company’s day-to-day finances. They may also advise department leads or senior management on spending and long-term financial decisions.
Many tech firms will pay top dollar to their financial managers. Financial managers at Apple earn a significant $228,000 per year, and at LinkedIn, the median salary is around $206,000.
5. Financial Controller
Median total US salary: $167,000
Financial controllers are among the highest-paid accounting professionals because they oversee the entire accounting function of an organization. The role involves maintaining accurate financial records, managing reporting cycles, and setting internal financial policies.
Controllers also play a key role in budgeting and long-term planning, working closely with senior leadership. Most report directly to the CFO and act as a key point of financial decision-making within the company.
A top financial firm such as JP Morgan Chase will pay a financial controller around $147,000 per year. In other areas of the private sector, though, it’s possible to earn even more than this. For example, tech conglomerate Google offers a median salary of almost double at $277,000 to its financial controllers.
Enrolling in a Master in Accounting at a top business school will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully land you one of these top accounting graduate jobs, and the salaries that accompany them.
Download the free BusinessBecause Which Master’s Guide 2025, produced in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, to compare top business master’s programs worldwide and find the degree that best fits your career goals.