To be a successful accountant you need to possess a special ability for numbers and details. You must also have outstanding computer skills and be proficient at oral and written communications. Choosing this career you will need strong education and constant accuracy.
Preparing for CPA:
1. Make certain you do extremely well math in school. Ask your school counselor which classes are best to prepare you for a degree in accounting and ask for a list of colleges that offer accounting programs and degrees.
2. Do research on the degree requirements of the state in which you plan to achieve your CPA certificate. See the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (aicpa.org) for more information.
3. Make sure that the colleges to which you apply offer accounting programs that will accomplish all of the state’s requirements.
4. Learn different accounting software packages.
5. Make a decision which accounting field best suits your interests. The major fields are public, management accounting, government accounting and internal auditing. Understand that within each field there are many subfields.
6. Collect catalogs and applications from colleges 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 correlated business field with numerous accounting courses.
7. Try to find part-time jobs or internships in accounting firms during your college years. Many firms that hire entry-level accountants after graduation 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.
You must:
- Allow yourself plenty of study time to prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination. According to statistics, only 25 percent of CPA candidates pass all four parts. Incomplete credit may be given by some states for passing at least two parts.
- Join professional associations, build network, and attend seminars.
- Expect to work extremely long hours during tax season if your specialty involves taxes.
- Be prepared to take continuing education classes in order to renew your CPA license.
See also :
Certified Management Accountants (CMA )
How to become a Certified General Accountant ( CGA )
Accounting Career and Opportunities