MS Accounting Career Checklist

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Here at the School of Management, your career development process starts before you even begin your first class. Use this online MS Accounting Career Checklist and calendar to get this process started.

Read and follow the schedule outlined in each section to prepare for on-campus recruiting and the job search process. The summer activities will also ensure completion of CRC requirements during the MS Accounting program. Access the necessary online tools and resources in each section to accomplish the objectives outlined.

The Career Resource Center serves as the primary resource for students and alumni of the School of Management in career exploration and job search. The CRC is a key link between the school and employers, offering many programs that bring these groups together, such as career consortium events, alumni connections, internships, campus recruiting and career development workshops and seminars. Our mission is to create a caring environment that enables and motivates you to be successful in reaching your individual career goals.

The CRC’s dedicated staff is committed to assisting you throughout your career development and job search process. Get to know our team by visiting the CRC staff page.

Additional Resources

Part I: Build and submit your résumé by June 28

  1. Build your updated résumé using the CRC’s MS Résumé Template
  2. Submit your résumé for critique using the AI résumé tool found on our résumé webpage, which provides instant, automated and personalized guidance on your résumé. You must use the preferred CRC résumé template and tools to get optimal results. 
    • Access will be granted after you have paid your tuition deposit. 
  3. Revise your résumé based on our AI tool's feedback.
  4. Personalized critiques from a career advisor are also important. Submit your updated résumé by June 28 to mgt-crc@buffalo.edu
    • As an MS Word document (NOT a PDF)
    • It should be one page only.
    • Name your Word document First Name_Last Name_Accounting
    • Include your specific MS program in the subject line of the email, such as MS ACCT Résumé

Part II (between June 28 and August 1)

Sign in to the BizLink career management system and update your account, clarifying your job experience and job preferences. Your degree and class level fields should be noted as MS Accounting. (CRC Requirement)

  • Keep your account up to date. The CRC staff uses the data to effectively communicate with students and market UB’s MS Accounting talent to prospective employers.  (CRC Requirement)
  • After the Big Resume critique process and CRC advisor review, make the recommended résumé changes and upload your résumé to the BizLink system. All MS Accounting résumés must be CRC approved and uploaded by the end of August.
    • It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format.
    • Your résumé will be available for employers to view online through our BizLink system unless you specifically turn this off in your privacy setting, which is not recommended. You will also need to have your résumé ready to submit for early CRC on-campus interviewing opportunities in BizLink and for the Meet the Professionals event on September 9.

Part III (between August 10 and August 21)

Begin preparing for upcoming fall on campus interviewing by doing the following:

  • Be prepared: Some companies (particularly public accounting firms) recruit students in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as late August or early September. The BizLink career system also lists Employer Information Sessions (possibly virtual). 
  • Attend on-campus job fairs, such as Meet the Professionals on September 9 and the Management Career and Internship Expo on September 30, and networking events within the community. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions. Review the CRC Job Fairs and Events page for more information.
  • Schedule a CRC practice interview with your career advisor, Christopher Salem, if you did not have one over the summer. Be sure to watch the Advanced Interviewing workshop series and view the CRC interviewing guide and tips first. You can schedule your practice interview via BizLink
    • When scheduling the interview through BizLink, submit a sample job posting
    • Prior to your practice interview, you may want to complete your own privately recorded interview through Big Interview (free when you sign up with UB email address)
  • International Students: Attend various CRC international workshops (possibly virtual). In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student Services (ISS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
  • Review cover letter and job search correspondence resources. Any letter or email sent to a potential employer must be error-free, appropriately formatted and tailored to the company’s needs and the desired employment opportunity. Watch the Writing a Cover Letter workshop. (Optional but recommended)
  • Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range. Understand the cost of living in a new geographic area.
  • Update your BizLink (and BullsEye) profiles and upload a new résumé if necessary.
  • Get involved and build your résumé and network. Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest. 
  • Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn.
  • Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community, such as career events organized by UB Career Design Center. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.
  • Research and identify a list of companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family.
  • Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the School of Management’s Employment and Salary Statistics; also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range. Understand the cost of living in a new geographic area.
  • International Students: Launch your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer. It takes at least three months for OPT to be authorized. If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization. Therefore, it is important you plan ahead on launching your OPT. You can submit paperwork for your OPT beginning three months before your conferral date.  
  • Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.
    • Whether you are job-hunting in a tight job market or one that is plentiful with opportunities, knowing how to manage and negotiate offers (for internships or full-time jobs) is critical to the job search process. These modules address key topics and also test your knowledge. When evaluating offers of employment, we encourage students to demonstrate their professionalism during the decision-making process. Your acceptance of an internship or job offer is binding. Do not accept an offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. Do not back out after accepting; that’s called reneging, and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation as well as the reputation of the program.
  • Complete the School of Management Job Offer and Employment Update Survey before you confer your degree.
    • It is very important to inform the CRC of your employment status whether you are still searching, accepted employment, returning to a sponsoring employer or postponing your search. If you are still searching, we are here throughout the summer and will continue to assist with your search after graduation. By completing the survey, we collect your new contact information (this includes a non-UB email address) to keep in communication with you. Once you secure employment, you can update your employment status online. If you have accepted employment, we want to be able to congratulate you and ensure your aggregate data is reflected in our reporting to national sources that rank business school programs. As you may know, providing this information is critical to the services we provide to both our students and employers. It also plays a strong role in the School of Management’s efforts to improve the value of your degree. (Information collected, including salary information, remains confidential and is only used in aggregate form.)
  • Join the School of Management Alumni Association and their LinkedIn group.
  • Update your LinkedIn account to show your new employer and job title and keep in contact. The CRC often reaches out to alumni from the program to help advise current students about companies, industries, markets and hiring processes.

Contact Us

Frank L. Ciminelli Family
Career Resource Center

School of Management
University at Buffalo
308 Alfiero Center
Buffalo, NY 14260-4010

Tel: 716-645-3232
Fax: 716-645-3231
mgt-crc@buffalo.edu

Summer Office Hours
Monday-Thursday

9 a.m. - noon, 1-4 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m.-noon.
If you have a scheduled meeting between noon and 1 p.m., please knock.

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