How to Become an Accountant Learn the Steps, Degrees & Requirements

Studying with ACCA-X is your opportunity to see if a career in accountancy for you is for you. Late January, February and March represent the close of the financial year, and are dreaded by accountants as ‘tax season’. It’s the busiest time of the year, but on the flip-side, it can mean an easier time of it during the other nine months.

For example, all states require that you earn at least 150 credit hours in college, with at least part of those hours being earned in accounting coursework. Requirements accountancy for accounting coursework vary from state to state, so it’s a good idea to explore the CPA requirements in the state where you want to take the test.

Forensic accounting

Depending on your state’s requirements, you may not need to have a degree in accounting, but you will likely need to complete a certain number of credits in accounting, business, and ethics. Each state has its own requirements, so talk with an academic counselor before you start a degree program. With so many different careers available to graduates of accounting programs, students often choose to concentrate their knowledge on a specific area, such as auditing, taxation or even forensic accounting.

• Public accountants are responsible for a broad range of tasks, including auditing, consulting and managing taxes.
• In order to gain practical experience, you will want to participate in an internship program.
• Every accountant follows a different path, but for many, the process takes about six years.
• You may find yourself managing and auditing information systems and want to move your career forward by becoming a Certified Information Systems Auditor .
• It’s the busiest time of the year, but on the flip-side, it can mean an easier time of it during the other nine months.

You might also be able to find internship opportunities through your college. Be sure to ask for a letter of recommendation once you have demonstrated your skills in your unpaid position.

Job Description of an Accountant

At undergraduate level, it’s possible to take a joint accounting and finance degree, in order to gain a more general knowledge of both accounting and finance professions. However, those who study further will usually specialize in either one or the other, in order to gain more advanced expertise in one particular field. A master’s in accounting can help accountants qualify for more job opportunities. This degree builds advanced accounting knowledge and allows students to delve into specialized topics.