If you choose to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), most states require that you complete 150 hours of college coursework. This is 30 hours more than most bachelor’s degrees. Some schools will let you take a 5-year program and graduate with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source If you are not enrolled in a 5-year program, you can take extra courses through your college or university. Your school may have a program to help you get those extra 30 hours. To help you become eligible to take the CPA exam, your employer may pay for you to take the extra 30 hours or coursework.
Internships can be part-time during the school year or full-time in the summer months. Internships are excellent opportunities to network and develop connections that may help you land a job in the future.
You will want to consider whether you want a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or a Master’s in Accounting (MAcc). An MAcc is geared mostly towards those interested in becoming CPAs or CMAs. The MBA provides a broader understanding of the relationship between business and accounting.
There are multiple roles that an accountant can fill, and each comes with a different type of certification. Employers will often pay the fees for an employee to gain a certification.
Most states require CPA candidates to complete at least 150 semester hours of college coursework All states will require you to take the Uniform CPA Examination. Most states require that you pass all four parts of the exam within 18 months of passing the first part. [8] X Research source
The exam covers a number of subjects, including financial statement analysis, working-capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management.
Depending on what type of internal auditing you choose to do, there are further specialized certifications. These include the Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).
Depending on your area of expertise, you may also choose further strengthen your credentials by obtaining a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), or Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).
It is extremely unlikely that you will become an executive overnight. It can take decades to move up the ladder of an accounting firm.
Most new businesses do not make a profit in their first few years, so make sure that you have saved up enough money to get you through this initial period.
Check with the certification organizations to make sure that you are meeting their requirements for continued education. These organizations also hold seminars and conferences to help you stay up to date on the latest trends in accounting. Firms are often willing to pay the expenses for employees to continue their education. Consulting firms and other organizations often hold seminars on topics in your field.
Your employer may be willing to pay for you to get this extra expertise.
