Graduating with a degree in accounting, finance, or forensic accounting in 2026?
- Charlotte Starck
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
By Kenneth Hines
As I start preparing to teach accounting courses in Winter and Spring Quarters 2026 at the University of Washington Bothell School of Business, many of my students will be graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in June 2026 and getting ready to start their careers. They will be entering the profession at one of the most transformative moments in modern history.
A recent CNBC piece – “AI puts the squeeze on new grads and the colleges that promised to make them employable” – highlights a reality many students are now facing as AI is eliminating or reshaping traditional entry-level roles – especially in fields where routine work used to be the training ground for young professionals.
But here’s the good news: firms still need smart, adaptable professionals who understand the intersection of financial data, risk, compliance, and technology. The graduates who blend technical knowledge with investigative thinking will thrive.
Five ways to make yourself more hirable in today’s accounting and financial landscape:
1. Become fluent in technology that matters to accountants.
2. Show that you can think like an auditor and an investigator.
3. Build a portfolio of proof — not just a résumé.
4. Strengthen your “human skills” — the ones AI can’t replace.
5. Be willing to start anywhere and build your path forward.
Final thought:
AI may be transforming the profession, but it cannot replace professionals who understand both financial data and human behavior. The future belongs to accountants and financial investigators who can:
· Interpret data
· Spot anomalies
· Communicate risk
· Uphold integrity
That’s a skill set no algorithm can fully replicate.
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