What Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Accountant?
A career in accounting can be fulfilling and offer plenty of opportunities for professional growth. Due to the financial risk of working in accounting for a company, working as an accountant often requires recognised qualifications or certifications that prove your competency to employers. This can increase the chances for someone to become an accountant and start their career path in accountancy, or progress to a more senior accountancy position for a firm.
Educational Requirements to Become an Accountant
Employers look for educational experience related to accounting that indicates a candidate’s level of long-term commitment and development over their years of being an adolescent to becoming an adult.
High School Education
During high school, students take part in a series of exams including GCSEs and A-Levels which are chosen courses and enable individuals to learn more about disciplines that they want to pursue or learn more about.
Accountancy firms often look for candidates with educational experience studying finance or mathematics courses whilst at high school as it presents an early sign of interest in the field.
Degree in Accounting or Relevant Discipline
A degree is often associated with the highest level of initial educational achievement for professionals looking to pursue a career in accounting. Earning a degree shows a level of competency and knowledge in the field but also shows commitment to professional development and continuing to learn.
Employers will often look for a degree in accounting or a related field such as:
· Economics
· Mathematics
· Business Admin
· Finance
· Bookkeeping
Professional Certifications to Become an Accountant
Professional certifications are beneficial for accountants as they can encourage career progression or help individuals specialise in a sub-category of accounting.
Certifications require people in accounting to study and take exams whilst working in an accountancy firm, which can be demanding; however, they are respected by employers and can help candidates earn more senior positions and progress further in their careers.
There are various professional certifications which one can earn:
· Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
· Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
· Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
· Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
· Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Is It Possible to Become an Accountant with Minimal Qualifications?
There are career routes available for those with minimal or no experience in accounting. Accountancy firms can advertise for entry-level positions that do not expect candidates to have prior experience in an accounting role but have worked in similar environments.
Employers often expect candidates to have some qualifications in relevant disciplines such as a bachelor’s honours in related fields, such as Finance or Economics, or high school education qualifications such as A-Levels and GCSEs in similar studies.
Employers also look for certain qualities and transferrable skills in candidates that will make them compatible with the role and working in an accountancy firm:
· Strategic thinking
· Communication and teamwork
· Time management
· Organisation skills
· Finance/budget handling
