How to Determine the Special Training Required for an Accountant

Accounting is a broad field, with different areas of specialization and a wide range of career paths. Pursuing a career as an accountant generally requires a university degree, and for public practice and for many higher-level positions in industry, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is required. Professional accountants must also keep themselves up-to-date with continuing professional education throughout their careers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Read about Special Training Requirements for Different Types and Levels of Accounting Work

1. Check out the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" on the U.S. Department of Labor website, http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm.

2. Under “Occupations" in the side menu, select “Administrative.”

3. Select the option for “Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks.”

4. Read the section on “Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement.”

5. Return to the search feature of the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" and enter “Accountant” in “Search OOH,” or look for “Accountants and Auditors” in the A-Z index.

6. Under "Accountants and Auditors," read the section on “Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement."

Find Out What Employers Are Asking For In Terms of Special Training

7. Go to www.monster.com, www.careerbuilder.com or other job posting websites.

8. In “Select Job Category," select “Accounting/Auditing” and a "Job Location" if you like.

9. Read the job postings to see what special training is required for different types of accounting positions.

10. Check the job listings in the “Professional," “Office/Clerical” or other similar sections of the "Help Wanted Classifieds" in your local newspaper and see what special training, education and experience they require.

11. Note the specific requirements concerning knowledge of accounting software that are mentioned in the job postings.

12. Look up your state unemployment office on the website www.job-hunt.org.

13. Go to the state unemployment office nearest you and ask for information on special training required for accounting positions.

14. Use the online services available on the website of your state unemployment office to learn about special training requirements.

15. Ask the Human Resources department in the company where you work about the special training required for working in the Accounting department.

Research Special Training in Terms of Certification and Licensing Requirements

16. Check with your State Board of Accountancy for information regarding the Uniform CPA Examination, or visit the website www.cpa-exam.org. A CPA certificate is practically a requirement for public accounting work and is also highly valued in private accounting. Clients of independent accountants will prefer that you have a CPA license. Many private companies want accountants who have demonstrated that they have the competency necessary to pass the CPA exam.

17. Visit the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) website (www.imanet.org) to learn about the requirements to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

18. Find out about the training requirements to become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), a Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), a Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) or to receive Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), in the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) website (www.theiia.org).

19. Review the requirements for designation as an Accredited Business Accountant (ABA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), or Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) in the website of the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) (www.acatcredentials.org).

Learn About Continuing Professional Education Requirements

20. Visit the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) (www.nasba.org), which is the organization that keeps a registry of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) sponsors.

21. Go to the AICPA's website (www.cpa2biz.com) to find information on continuing professional education topics, resource centers and CPE self-study products.

22. Use the website of your State Board of Accountancy to find links to CPE courses.

Tips & Warnings

• Meet with people you know who work in the accounting profession and ask them about the special training they needed to get started and additional training they needed to advance in their careers. Their first-hand experience will add another whole dimension to your search for information, as well as some very valuable personal insights.
• Relate the special training needed to the level of the accounting position and the field of specialization you are interested in pursuing.
• Take into account that education and training in the accounting profession are a life-long pursuit.