How to Become an Accountant

Successful accountants need to possess a special aptitude for numbers and a close attention to detail. They must also have excellent computer skills and be adept at oral and written communication. This is a career in which education and constant accuracy are of utmost importance.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Applications For CPA Exams
• College Catalogs And Applications
• Postage Stamps
• Pens
• Stationery
• Computers
• Accounting Software
• Online Career Search

1. Make certain you excel in math in high school. Ask your guidance counselor which classes to take to best prepare you for college and a degree in accounting. Also ask for a list of colleges that offer accounting programs and degrees.

2. Write to colleges for their catalogs and applications well before your senior year in high school. In order to receive Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification from a state, you will need to first receive a bachelor's degree in accounting or in a related business field with numerous accounting courses.

3. Do research on the degree requirements of the state in which you hope to obtain your eventual CPA certificate. Some states are now requiring 150 semester units for an accounting degree, and others will do so in the future. See the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (aicpa.org) for further information.

4. Make certain that the colleges to which you apply offer accounting programs that will fulfill all of the state's current requirements.

5. Decide which accounting field best suits your interests. The major fields are public, government, and management accounting and internal auditing. Realize that within each field there are numerous subfields.

6. Become proficient with a variety of accounting software packages.

7. Work at part-time jobs or internships in accounting firms during your college years, especially during the summer, when you can gain full-time experience in the field. Many firms that hire entry-level accountants after graduation from college require this work.

8. Take the four-part, two-day Uniform CPA Examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. You will need some accounting experience, in addition to a bachelor's degree, before applying for the test.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow yourself plenty of study time to prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination. Only 25 percent of CPA candidates pass all four parts. Partial credit may be given by some states for passing at least two parts.

• Give yourself advantages in the job market by considering a master's degree in accounting or in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

• Join professional associations in order to network, and attend seminars.

• Expect to work very long hours during tax season if your specialty involves taxes.

• Be prepared to take continuing education classes in order to renew your CPA license.