Each concentration also includes
examples of potential careers post graduation. In general, it takes a minimum of five years after you finish high school to become a CPA. You’ll not only need a bachelor’s in accounting, you’ll also need to meet the 150 credit hours required by most states to become a CPA.

With more education and experience, accountants can become certified. Some
financial documents, such as those submitted to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, must be signed by a Certified Public Accountant. Financial controllers head accounting departments in private enterprises. In nonprofit and government agencies, they are known as comptrollers. These senior professionals supervise accountants and work with top executives in directing organizational finances. Some controllers earn graduate degrees in finance or business administration to supplement their CPA backgrounds.

Option 2 Associate’s Degree

It comes with a textbook and the exam is administered either on paper or online. Upon passing your exams, you will work towards obtaining your license. In most states, this means you need to work under a CPA for at least a year or two.

Having to wait years to get into the accounting workforce can be frustrating. Try to remember, when you’re contemplating how many years to become accountant, that pursuing a degree in accounting is an investment in yourself and your future. Which role you’re pursuing plays a big part in determining how long to get an accounting degree. Internships may be available and can often provide valuable experience that can shorten the additional time you’ll need to achieve other certifications after graduation.

We’ve helped thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Review your options by reading our guide on the 5 best business majors to launch your career. In total, the CPA exam consists of 324 multiple-choice questions, 20 task-based questions, and three writing portions. Each question is weighted according to difficulty, so harder questions are often worth more points than easier ones.

  • Some controllers earn graduate degrees in finance or business administration to supplement their CPA backgrounds.
  • Bolton holds the No.1 position among more than 8,500 analysts on TipRanks.
  • Membership warehouse chain Costco (COST) recently reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, despite macro pressures affecting the purchase of big-ticket items.

Usually employed by a single organization, tax managers oversee tax preparation processes. They direct teams of employees and ensure their companies follow relevant legal requirements. Working closely with investment professionals, hedge fund accountants deal with mutual funds and hedge funds. They analyze statements and develop strategies for portfolio management. Forensic accountants analyze financial records for evidence of fraud. An entry-level role, accounting clerks conduct data entry tasks and verify calculations.

SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Many CPAs also pursue a specialization, which may require additional training and credentials. Professionals can pursue this training through professional organizations and certificate programs. Accounting jobs typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting. For some positions—especially senior roles—many employers seek candidates with master’s degrees and CPA licensure. Accounting manager education requirements vary by position, employer, and industry.

Accountant Duties

After completing the work experience requirement, you can get your CPA license. Gives students practical knowledge for recognizing opportunities arising in tax planning and equips them to make calculated and ethical business decisions when developing tax strategies. Provides a concentrated study on how to use cost information in managerial roles to plan and control business activities. Below students can find a more in-depth look at some of the courses they may
expect to take at the bachelor’s level, along with skills they will be able to
apply to professional settings. For some accounting professionals, the challenging path is worth the rewards. For others, the necessary effort does not make sense in the context of their overall career goals.

Required Experience and Skills for an Accounting Manager

Their acute attention to detail catches the subtlest of discrepancies, while their analytical skills uncover hidden insights. How long it takes to pass the CPA exam is totally dependent on you. The only restriction is waiting to receive your score from a previous attempt of the same section. Generally speaking, you should plan to spend at least 7 years becoming a CPA. Factors that can affect this estimated 7-year length can include work schedules, family commitments and the amount of time needed to get your college degree. For instance, if you spend part of your college career only going to school part-time, you’ll need to factor that into your expected timeline and expect a little more time to prepare.

To some extent, you may have some say into how many years to be an accountant. If you choose an accelerated accounting degree program offered by an online college or on campus, you may be able to finish your bachelor’s in accounting degree in less than four years. A traditional campus-based accounting bachelor’s degreee program generally takes students four years to complete.

Let us know what type of degree you’re looking into, and we’ll find a list of the best programs to get you there. To really answer the question “How many years does it take to become an accountant? The benefits of this are that you can start your career relatively quickly and you have some control over the cost of the degree. The faster you work through the curriculum, the less you pay for tuition, since WGU charges tuition by term (not per credit hour or course). For most students, the first step to becoming an accountant begins with coursework in a university setting, but there are a few more steps to take in order to complete your journey.

Recording and analyzing data is a big part of an accountant’s job description, and these professionals also need to communicate their findings and recommendations. Accountants may present reports to stakeholders, discuss their work with other accounting personnel or meet with clients to go over tax returns. A good accounting manager can effectively communicate with and supervise other accounting professionals. Other important skills for an accounting manager include organizational, problem-solving, and analytical abilities. Professionals with master’s degrees in accounting hold specialized expertise and can find themselves in demand for leadership roles.

Doctoral Degrees

Accountants need to communicate with other members of their team, management, and sometimes with shareholders and company directors. This might seem like an obvious skillset to help you as an accountant. However, due to the effectiveness of computers it’s possible to be an accountant without being really strong with math and numbers. xero config in actionstep practice pro + accounting People who do choose this career path will have a variation of challenges and enjoy different aspects of the role. For instance, in marketing, understanding the return on investment (ROI) is crucial. An individual with an accounting background can effortlessly calculate and interpret ROI, guiding marketing decisions.

It can also boost earning potential, improve job security, and allow access to higher-level roles. Internal auditors review their companies’ accounting procedures and adherence to laws and regulations. They also assess financial records for potential areas of growth and increased efficiency.

You will also be expected to publish one paper per year during these two years. However, you might not know the specifics of why a career in accounting is difficult to achieve and what makes every challenge so worth it. Keep on reading to find more information on how to become an accountant, including the salary, job outlook, and the time and qualifications it takes to become one. In an unpredictable world, the ability to pivot, adapt and evolve is more valuable than ever.