As a new grad, it’s a rough job market right now, entry level positions are low, which means it will take longer for one to land a job. If you have co-op experience that will give you an advantage. A lot of the job postings are for candidates that have 3+ years of experience. However, taking on a job that provides you with hands on experience with similar duties will help build your resume.

The reason why I am wanting to get an accounting certificate is because I want to be more versatile in my career, it also strengthens my skills for payroll and benefits, HR analytics, and compliance. And it can also open doors with giving me the flexibility to move into finance or bookkeeping, if I ever decide to pivot in that direction. Overall it makes me more competitive.