How to Become Competitive in the Accounting Field
Most accounting jobs require a bachelor's degree in accounting. To further your career and maintain a competitive edge over your peers, study to become a certified public accountant or get a master's degree in business administration. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants sets ethical standards for accounts along with auditing standards. It offers the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. All accountants filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission must be CPAs. To pass the national exam and get licensed by your state, use the resources provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and professional organizations in your state.
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Identify the requirements for pursuing certification in your state. For example, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants publishes a document that lists the educational and course requirements. Additionally, this document identifies the necessary work experience in public accounting, internal auditing or government auditing. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy maintain a website with instructions on applying for the exam and offers sample exams, test tips and training materials.
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Participate in courses, seminars and other forms of continuing education offered by accounting professional organizations in your state. Maintain and renew credentials you have earned on a regular basis. Self-paced study courses and web-based conferencing alternatives suit the lifestyles of busy accounting professionals. The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers provides access to free tools and forms as well as continuing education courses in accounting. Use these resources to learn how to set up a trial balance, compute and record adjustments and prepare financial statements and tax returns. Other courses concentrate on providing instruction on how to correct errors, compute depreciation for tax purposes and manage inventory. Additionally, you can learn how to protect assets by identifying employee theft, credit card fraud, scams and other issues.
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Specialize in your field. The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant credential. Develop your expertise in planning, budgeting and forecasting. Learn how to manage performance and costs and handle internal controls. Maintain a high level of professional ethics. Learn how to analyze financial statements, make effective investment decisions, manage risk and work in corporate finance departments. The Institute of Internal Auditors offers the Certified Internal Auditor credential.
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Volunteer your services for nonprofit organizations to broaden your perspective and gain exposure to other tools and techniques. Interview controllers, treasurers and chief financial officers to learn about career development tips used by successful accounting professionals.
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