How to Work As an Accountant
Trained accountants are in demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities are expected to grow over 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. Starting salaries for accountants are also attractive to students, with the National Association of Colleges and Employers reporting that entry-level accountants were making slightly less than $50,000 per year in 2009.
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Instructions
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Obtain the necessary education. A bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years to complete, is the minimum educational requirement for most accounting positions. In addition to accounting-related courses in subjects like taxation and auditing, undergraduate students also must complete general education courses. These may be business classes, such as marketing and economics, or liberal arts courses like math and English composition.
In order to receive certain credentials, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, students must complete education beyond a bachelor's degree. A master's degree is not required to become a CPA, but some students may fulfill the CPA credit hour requirement this way. For example, the University of Mississippi has a program where accounting majors can earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in just five years of study. Other students may choose to extend their accounting education through other programs, such as a master's degree in taxation or an MBA with an accounting emphasis.
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Gain work experience in the accounting field. Internships can be an excellent way to learn professional skills while making contacts with potential future employers. In most cases, students also receive pay or credit toward their degree for their work. The internship application process can be competitive, however, and students need to plan ahead. For example, major CPA firms often interview potential summer interns as much as 10 months ahead of when they plan to start working. In addition to the work students do at their internship site, there are also requirements from their home university, such as submitting a reflection paper on their experience or meeting regularly with a faculty supervisor.
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Earn the necessary professional certification. While some entry-level accounting positions may require only a bachelor's degree, gaining additional certification can be crucial for career advancement. Earning advanced credentials is often a multi-step process. For example, accountants who wish to earn CPA credentials must typically complete 150 college credit hours, have at least two years of previous work experience in public accounting, and pass a four-part examination.
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Start searching for your desired accounting position! Accountants work in various industries, such as tax preparation, teaching, private businesses, and state and local government. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 8 percent of accountants are self-employed. For new graduates, resources like your university's career center can be a great asset in your job search. Not only can they offer advice on resumes and interview techniques, but they also often sponsor job fairs or networking events where students can meet potential employers. Former accounting professors or internship supervisors can also be valuable contacts who can recommend you for open positions.
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