Browse Web Sites
Step1
Go to the College Board Web site.
Step2
Select the option “For Students.”
Step3
Under “Find a College” select “Careers and Majors.”
Step4
Under “Career Categories” select “Business and Finance.”
Step5
Read the Career Profiles for Government Accountants and Auditors, Management Accountants and Internal Auditors and Public Accountants. Here you will find useful information and advice, and an indication of the education requirements.
Step6
Go to the Monster.com Web site.
Step7
Click on the Career Advice tab.
Step8
Under Job Search Basics, select "Job Profiles."
Step9
Select "Accountant" to find information about the job, skills, education, outlook and links to search for jobs.
Step10
Review the education requirements for job openings of interest.
Step11
Go to the Search 4 Career Colleges Web site.
Step12
Under Resources, select "Career Articles."
Step13
On the page of Career Descriptions & Career Statistics, select "Accounting and Financing Careers" for general information and education requirements.
Map Out Your Personal Plan
Step1
Set a goal for yourself in terms of the accounting career you want to pursue and the related college education requirement.
Step2
Evaluate your personal, family and financial situation to determine the alternatives that are realistically available to you.
Step3
Get your Bachelor's degree in accounting if you can devote yourself full-time to studying, then either go to work in accounting or continue on for a Master's degree.
Step4
Or, go for an Associate's degree, then go to work in an entry-level accounting position, and later complete your Bachelor's degree.
Determine Your College Courses
Step1
Complete the college or university's non-elective curricular requirements for a major in accounting.
Step2
Choose your elective accounting and business courses according to the field of accounting you want to pursue.
Step3
Keep in mind that most states now require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of coursework.
Step4
Load up on elective accounting and business courses that are oriented toward your longer-term career interests, such as audit, tax, cost accounting, finance, computer science or business management.