How to Become an Accountant in 7 Steps

Many schools offer accounting programs, but you'll want to do a little homework before you enroll in one to ensure you select a program that suits your needs. Here are some things to consider when evaluating programs:

Accreditation: This seal of approval means that a school or program meets quality standards and prepares students for their chosen career.

Internships: They give you valuable on-the-job work experience to help build your resume.

Online programs: Many accounting degree programs are offered online, giving you flexibility with scheduling and physical location

There are several accounting degrees to choose from. Most accountants enter the field with a bachelor's degree, and some will go on to earn a master's degree. Associate degree programs are also available for those looking to get started in the profession more quickly.

Associate Degree: Generally two years of full-time studies to complete. Graduates with an associate degree are qualified for positions under an accountant, such as financial clerk or accounting clerk.

Bachelor's Degree: Typically takes four years. A bachelor's degree offers the broadest choice of entry-level career options for future advancement.

Master's Degree: Depending on the program, it generally takes one to two years to earn a master's after you've already earned your four-year degree. This can be a good choice for accountants who want to earn a certification or pursue a managerial or executive position. 

To be admitted into an associate or bachelor's program, you'll need a high school diploma or GED. Bachelor's degree programs often expect a high school GPA of 2.5-3.0 or better, plus they may require ACT or SAT scores.

Some schools may have prerequisite courses, although sometimes students are allowed to take those after being accepted to a program.

Most accounting degrees cover many of the same subjects but dive more deeply the further you are in your studies. For example, it's common to have more general courses on taxation, accounting, and auditing in the curriculum for associate and bachelor's degrees. At the master's degree level, those courses could become more specialized and include topics such as taxation of business entities, public sector accounting, and advanced auditing.

Internships are a common requirement for undergraduate programs, and they are often counted as credits toward your degree. Completing an internship gives students valuable work experience and skills, which can be especially helpful when looking for your first accounting role.

Entry-level jobs for people with bachelor's degrees are often positions such as staff accountant, tax accountant, or financial analyst. The duties of these positions vary greatly, depending on the size of a business. For example, a staff accountant at a small business may handle all bookkeeping and accounting duties, while someone at a large corporation may focus on a single aspect of accounting.

There are many certifications accountants can earn to demonstrate their expertise and skills. Certified public accountant (CPA) is perhaps the best known.

While there is a healthy job market for accountants who are not CPAs, earning that certification elevates your professional profile. It provides a wider scope of career opportunities, boosts your earning potential, and allows you to perform more accounting services. For instance, as a CPA, you can represent clients before the IRS during audits.

A master's degree can help you advance your career by helping you specialize or build a broader base of business knowledge.

A master's degree in accounting can help you prepare to become a CPA or earn other certifications and specialize in areas such as forensic accounting and management accounting. A master's in business administration (MBA) with a focus on accounting augments accounting knowledge with managerial skills, making it a good choice for someone seeking to advance with a leadership position.