How to Become an Accountant
Having a career in accounting is not just about numbers. Companies, businesses and people need accountants to keep track of where their money goes, which is very important. Here are the things you need to know when pursuing an accounting career.
Skills Needed
High aptitude for mathematics
Computer literate
An eye for details
Good oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Highschool Level
Your accounting career starts at the highschool level. Make sure that you get high grades in mathematics. You should also take electives on accounting, economics and advanced math if you can.
Ask for tips and guidance from your school’s career counselor.
Join math clubs or organizations to boost your knowledge and your credentials. If you have school organizations for economics or businesses, join those too. Be active and participate with all of the organization’s activities.
Some schools offer opportunities for you to intern in local businesses and companies. Take these opportunities to intern and learn more about how a business works, and how accounting works.
Choose a good college or university where you can get your degree on accounting. Make sure that your school choices will be able to fulfill the requirements required of accountants within the state you wish to work in. Write application letters and collect college brochures before your fourth year of high school begins.
College Level
Decide whether you want to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). To become an accountant without certification, all you will need is a two-year degree. To become a CPA, you’ll need is a four-year degree. Getting a CPA license will be discussed further below.
If you do decide to become a license, check if your course fulfills the licensure requirements of the state you wish to be licensed in.
Once you are in college, it’s only common sense that you take an accounting degree and take accounting courses. You can also take a business course but taking as many accounting courses as you can.
Decide on an accounting field. You can choose from the following:
Public Accountant. Performs a wide range of accounting services for companies and private entities, usually on tax, auditing, and the like.
Forensic Accountants. They investigate complex financial transactions and even interpret bankruptcies.
Management Accountants. These are the accountants that work within corporations by recording, analyzing, budgeting and by managing the corporation’s assets and costs.
Public Sector Accountants. Accountants who work for government and examine and audit government agencies and entities who have activities subject to government rules and taxation.
Consultant. These accountants provide advice when it comes to employee health care benefits, designs in accounting processing systems.
Enroll yourself in internship programs or take part-time jobs in accounting firms. The sooner you get started having real experience on your chosen profession, the sooner you can qualify to take a CPA licensure exam.
Familiarize yourself with accounting software.
How to Become a CPA
Not all accountants are CPAs, but all CPAs are accountants. A CPA is different from an accounting graduate in a number of ways. Namely:
CPAs must have taken a four-year accounting course (or an equivalent number of units) or program that is recognized to qualify for licensure examinations from the state you wish to be licensed in.
You will need a number of years’ experience working as an accountant before being able to take a licensure exam. The number of years needed depends on that state where you wish to acquire a license.
You will then need to pass the licensure exam.
Once a CPA, you’ll be required to take the Continuing Professional Educational (CPE) courses to keep updated on developments within your profession.
CPAs usually get a higher salary than accountants, and those who get into accounting programs usually have set getting a CPA licensure within their sights.
Once you have gotten your licensure, you can opt to join government, an accounting firm or open a firm of your own.
Becoming an accountant takes dedication, hard work and a passion for numbers. They’re also needed everywhere, so a really competent accountant is always needed.