How to Become an Accountant? Step-By-Step Guide

This is just the right place for maths geeks, who are willing to turn their love for numbers into a profession. ? You are going to learn a lot with me if you often fantasize about having a job that brings together your fondness of maths along with aligning finance goals.?

Let me take you through the A-Zs of accounting, where each debit and credit has a fascinating financial story to tell. ?

But first, I am sure, you would want to know how much an accountant makes, right?

The average income for an Accountant in the United States stands at $73,274. This might vary as per states and countries, and also your experience and certifications.

Pack your calculators, use your heads, and journey through the road of how to become an accountant if the notion of studying financial flows and reviewing bank accounts excites you a lot! ?

Question and Answer

You guessed it right, being an accountant isn’t easy, just like being a blogger isn’t. But from my experience, I can tell you it isn’t impossible either.

Okay, you want to clear your doubts, first? Answer these questions first, and see for yourself.

Do financial matters and working with numbers excite you?
Do you think you can communicate complex financial concepts to clients or colleagues?
Do you want to stay updated on accounting standards and regulations?
Do you think you can help individuals or businesses make informed financial decisions?
In the future, would you like to explore different accounting specializations, such as auditing, management accounting, or financial planning?
Do you have an aptitude for mathematics and numerical analysis?
Can you analyze date to solve financial challenges?

If you have replied yes to most of the questions above, I can bet that you are going to be an accountant.

Since you have taken a step forward and have landed on my blog, I am going to go all out with the accountant career advice!

Who is an accountant?

A qualified individual with expertise in capturing, evaluating, and deciphering financial data for private persons, companies, associations, and governmental bodies is an accounting professional.

They are in charge of making sure that accounting files are accurate and compliant, creating reports on finances, and offering insightful data about an entity’s financial condition. In many fields, including accounting, filing taxes, the field of auditing, budgeting, and advisory services, accountants are essential.

Accountants play a crucial role in the monetary prosperity and wellness of their customers or companies, whether they do so as freelancers, employees of a corporation or accounting firm, or in-house at such organizations.

They act as dependable consultants, sharing strategic knowledge and assisting people and businesses in making wise financial decisions.

Get hold of all the relevant certifications to become an accountant, that will help you a lot.

Scope of Accountants

Did you know that there is going to be a projected growth in the employment of accountants by 4% by 2032?

The projected value of the worldwide accounting industry in 2023 stands at $675.14 billion. By the year 2027, the market will achieve a value of $795.99 billion, reflecting a substantial 17.9% increase in the coming four years.

As per my opinion, the demand for accountants will always be on the rise, because financial advice is something that people will always need.

BLS says that there can be an approximate opening of 126500 posts, over the next ten years.

Let me also take you through the top accounting firms in the US (also known as the Big 4), in 2023.

Deloitte LLP
PwC
Ernst & Young
KPMG LLP

Grabbing a position in the Big 4 will add a golden feather to your cap, I am sure!

What are the different types of accountants?

According to their credentials and area of specialty, accountants can be broadly categorized. Accountants come in a variety of forms, with each type specialized in a particular area of accounting. ⤵️

Public Accountant

A variety of accounting services, such as auditing, tax planning and preparation, analysis of financial statements, and advising, are offered to customers by public accountants who are employed by public accounting companies.

They frequently collaborate with people, companies, charities, and governmental organizations. Get the CPA certification to be one.

Application Fee for First-Time Applicants: $170
Registration Fee for Re-Exam Applicants: $85
Exam Fee per Section of the Test: $238.15

Management Accountant

A company’s internal selection process is the primary focus of management accountants, commonly referred to as cost accountants or managerial accountants.

They support teams of managers with strategy planning, cost analysis, performance evaluation, and budgeting. Get your management accountant certification now!

Tax Accountant

Tax-related issues are their area of expertise. They file returns for tax purposes for both people and corporations, make sure that tax legislation and rules are followed, look for tax credits and adjustments, and offer tax planning guidance to reduce tax liabilities.

They assist clients in navigating difficult tax concerns and keeping up with evolving tax legislation, after taking the right tax accountant certifications.

Financial Accountant

The primary emphasis of financial accountants is the creation of financial statements such as cash flow statements, income statements, and balance sheets.

They make sure all financial transactions are accurately recorded, reconcile accounts, examine accounting information, and provide statements for outside parties, including creditors, shareholders, and regulatory agencies.

Internal Auditor

To verify the reliability, conformity to rules and regulations, and fulfillment of the requirements of accounting, auditors review financial records and reports.

They may do internal audits to evaluate controls over finances, identify risks, and offer suggestions for improvement while working for accounting firms that are public or for enterprises themselves. Get your internal auditor certifications now to become one!

Expert Skill Sets to Be An Accountant

I have listed a few expert skills that you should have if you want to be an accountant-

Should be able to assess and interpre financial data.
Proper Understanding of tax laws and regulations.
Ability to analyze complex financial situations
Skill in resolving financial discrepancies and issues.
Ability to maintain ethical accounting practices and principles.
Should have strong math skills for calculations and analysis
Ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

My suggestion to you would be to take a soft skills training course to ideally understand how to be a great accountant. With the Soft Skills Training for Accountants – you will learn all the above-mentioned skills, and more!

This is a self-paced course for beginners, that you can get at $47!

How much can an accountant earn?

Several variables, including location, degree of knowledge, training, sector, and size of the employer’s company, might affect an accountant’s pay. Depending on the precise function or area of specialty within accounting, salaries may also vary.

A CPA may typically expect to make between USD 66,000 and USD 146,000 per year in the USA. While senior-level CPAs can make up to USD 146,000 per year or more, entry-level roles normally pay approximately USD 66,000 yearly.

Responsibilities of an Accountant

In my experience, an accountant helps businesses make critical financial decisions by obtaining, tracking, and modifying the organization’s monetary data. They are responsible for carrying out annual accounting audits, analyzing financial statements, and ensuring record correctness.

The duties of an accountant might change based on their particular position and the sector they operate in. However, I have listed some typical responsibilities related to the profession ⤵️

Financial Record-keeping

Accounting professionals are in charge of appropriately documenting monetary transactions in the company’s books.

To make sure that every money operation is accurately recorded, they keep ledgers of all kinds, publications, and company records. Accountants provide a dependable source of data for monetary evaluation and disclosure by maintaining thorough and well-organized records.

Financial Analysis

Accountants examine financial information to assess the achievements of an organization, spot patterns, and offer information on which to base decisions.

To evaluate revenue, liquidity, solvency, and effectiveness, they employ a variety of approaches, including ratio evaluation, analysis of trends, and benchmarking.

Accountants share the findings of their research with management, assisting them in understanding the financial effects of their choices and pointing out possibilities for development.

Tax Compliance

Accountants help both people and companies meet their tax requirements. They prepare and submit proper tax returns and maintain a record of tax laws, rules, and filing requirements.

Accountants ensure their customers comply with tax rules while reducing their tax liability by using their understanding of tax regulations to discover potential expenses, credits, and exemptions.

Budgeting and Forecasting

Budgets and financial predictions are created in collaboration with management by accountants.

To create practical financial strategies, they examine past financial data, take into account market trends and company objectives, and collaborate with other divisions.

Accountants offer analysis and suggestions to maximize resource use, manage expenses, and promote the accomplishment of business objectives.

Auditing and Assurance

Accountants can conduct either inside or outside audits to evaluate the veracity and correctness of financial data. Internal auditors assess internal controls, examine financial procedures, and guarantee adherence to corporate guidelines.

To ensure that there are no substantial misstatements in the financial accounts, external auditors independently evaluate the financial statements. Maintaining transparency, spotting hazards, and enhancing financial reporting procedures are all important tasks performed by auditors.

How to Become an Accountant (Tips)

Are you enthralled by the realm of statistics, handling finances, and making sure that every cent goes where it belongs? If that’s the case, you’ve found the right place!

Being an accountant may pave the way for an exciting and fulfilling profession that offers the chance to influence the financial environment for people, companies, and organizations.

Learning, real-world experience, and career growth are all necessary to become an accountant. I have provided some suggestions on how to become an accountant if you have a passion for maths and money management. ⤵️

Obtain a Relevant Education

Get a bachelor’s degree from an approved college in accounting or a similar discipline. Essential subjects, including financial accounting, management accounting, taxes, auditing, and company law, will all be covered in the curriculum.

You will have a thorough grasp of accounting concepts and procedures if you have a strong educational background.

Gain Practical Experience

Think about submitting an application for apprenticeships or starting positions with accounting firms, corporate finance departments, or governmental institutions.

You may put your academic knowledge to use, hone your abilities, and get access to many accounting facets through hands-on training.

Find jobs that allow you to gain practical experience in disciplines like analyzing financial statements, financial management, filing taxes, or auditing.

Pursue Professional Certifications

You should consider earning a professional certification to strengthen your resume and showcase your knowledge. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) title is the most well-known credential for accountants.

The prerequisites for becoming a CPA vary depending on the authority, but they often combine schooling, job expertise, and clearing the CPA test.

Network and Join Professional Associations

Attend accountancy conferences, join trade organizations, and network with other industry experts to expand your professional network.

Joining groups like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or regional accounting societies may provide you access to tools, opportunities for networking, and information on market trends.

Develop Strong Analytical and Technical Skills

Before I decided to turn into a full-time blogger-marketer, I needed to develop the right skills.

Similarly, accountants must be highly numerate and can think analytically. Learn how to use spreadsheet programs, software for bookkeeping, and other pertinent technology. To remain competitive in the sector, keep up with developments in computerized accounting and statistical tools.

Stay Updated with Accounting Regulations and Standards

For accountants to retain their expertise in their field and guarantee compliance with evolving criteria, it’s imperative to stay up to date with accounting legislation and standards. Standards and rules for accounting are always changing.

Continue to increase your expertise by taking professional development classes, attending seminars, and reading specialized books.

Cultivate Soft Skills

Develop excellent collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities in addition to technical proficiency.

Accountants frequently work along with other professionals, communicate with clients, and give non-financial stakeholders financial data. Success in the field depends on having excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

I believe that accepting continuous education is a crucial component of accountants’ growth as individuals and professionals.

It entails adopting a mentality of constant improvement and making a commitment to keep up with business trends, cutting-edge technology, and developing best practices. The accounting sector is fluid, and new advancements constantly influence it.

Seek Mentorship

I am of the opinion that finding a mentor is a crucial part of career growth, even for accountants. Having a mentor may offer insightful advice, assistance, and guidance as you go forward on your professional journey.

You may overcome obstacles, grasp opportunities, and realize your full potential with the support of their expertise and counsel.

You can seek digital mentorship from ACCOUNTING BASICS- a Guide to (Almost) Everything

Maintain Professional Ethics

You need to maintain high levels of ethics in your work, irrespective of the job you want to do. In the accounting industry, honesty, impartiality, and secrecy are essential principles.

Follow moral principles and act professionally at all times. In my opinion, apart from ensuring regulatory compliance, ethical behavior also promotes long-term relationships with customers, employees, and stakeholders.

Top Accounting Courses in the United States (Traditional Courses)

To advance your skills and get started on the path to success, you may be interested in knowing more about the top accounting degrees that are available to you if you want to become an accountant.

I’ll take you on an exciting tour of the best accounting programs available in the US in this post.

We’ll, together, examine each program’s curriculum, faculty specialties, and distinguishing characteristics so you can make an educated decision that properly suits your goals and learning preferences. ⤵️

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

A strong grounding in accounting concepts, financial analysis, taxation, auditing, and company law is provided by an accounting bachelor’s degree.

The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California are a few of the top schools that offer accounting degrees.

Bachelor of Business Administration with Accounting Concentration

General business education and accounting-specific coursework are combined in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with an accounting focus. With this degree, students have a solid foundation in management abilities, financial analysis, and business concepts.

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin School of Business, the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business, and the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business are notable institutions that offer BBA programs with an emphasis in accounting.

Master of Accountancy

Many people who want to improve their accounting skills and fulfill the academic requirements for CPA licensing pursue a master’s degree in accountancy.

The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business, the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business are among the prestigious colleges that offer MAcc programs.

Master of Business Administration with Accounting Concentration

Many people who are interested in accounting opt for an MBA with an accounting emphasis. This degree provides a comprehensive understanding of accounting concepts and methods together with a wider view of the company.

Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business are among the top institutions offering MBA programs with accounting specializations.

Doctorate in Accounting

A Ph.D. in Accounting is an option for students who want to pursue professions in academic research and teaching.

The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business are among the top schools that offer Ph.D. programs in accounting.

Top Accounting Schools in the World

All financial experts and fans of numbers are invited! ?In this post, we list the best accounting programs in the world, which have superb faculty, a reputation for quality, and cutting-edge research.

We’ll bring you on a quick tour of these outstanding colleges, showcasing their distinctive curricula, business links, and career options, from famous Ivy League universities to worldwide powerhouses.

These best accounting schools will lead the path to your success no matter what type of accountant you aspire to be. ⤵️

New York University

NYU is a genuinely urban college with its location in Greenwich Village. Undergraduates in accounting attend the prestigious and extremely rigorous Stern School of Business, which has connections to some of the richest businessmen in the world.

The school encourages pupils to double major in a relevant field, such as banking and finance, company management of funds, or commodities markets, in addition to acquiring the essential accounting concepts to advance toward CPA licensure.

University of Cambridge

Cambridge is regarded as one of the best schools in the world for its top-notch instruction, academic rigor, and research. Students are chosen based on their academic prowess, dedication, wits, and drive.

The principles of accounting, financial language, and financial analysis methods are covered by finance students. Of course, the highly marketable and in-demand talents that Cambridge graduates acquire throughout their time at the institution make them extremely employable.

University of California, Berkeley

Among the most cutting-edge accounting faculties in the world is found at UCB, a prestigious public institution in the USA.

Students are given technical training and in-depth accounting expertise at UCB’s Haas School of Business, where there is also a great chance for job progression.

Many worldwide accounting companies are aware of the abilities and capabilities of UCB graduates since the need for accounting professionals and auditors is anticipated to increase in the future years.

London School of Economics

LSE is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, and its focus is only on economics and finance-related courses. Many significant political, financial, and cultural leaders have studied accounting at this institution, which is close to the Houses of Parliament.

These individuals include Tony Fernandes, the creator of AirAsia, Zarin Patel, the CFO of the BBC, and Richard Nesbitt, the CEO of GRI.

Stanford University

One of the top universities in the world, Stanford University, is situated in the middle of Silicon Valley. It has seven institutions of learning, notably the Graduate School of Business, and 18 research institutions.

As an undergraduate, you have a lot of options for accounting and financial management courses, including numerous special offers like executive education programs that cover a wide range of these topics.

Online Job Sources

You might be confused as to where you will find the right accounting job as a beginner. But don’t worry as I am listing out a few options here.

Accounting Jobs Today– Here, you can select the top accounting jobs based on your requirements, skills, and the relevant certifications that you have.
American Accounting Association– You can apply on this online job board based on the accounting job that suits your requirements the most.
Career Builder– One of the most trusted online job boards- sign up here, and you might land the best accounting jon opportunity.
Indeed– One of the online job boards that feels like home is Indeed. Grab the best opportunity here and start your accounting career on a grand note.
LinkedIn– A top networking site and an ideal place to find the right accountant jobs. Apply for as many jobs as you want here, and get selected now!

Key Takeaways

Let me tell you, accounting is not just adding up numbers but so much more.

While the prospect of filing taxes for a huge firm may be scary, I am positive there are tons of resources to learn from. So, keep on making yourself better, and you can be one of the best accountants in the world. ?

If you have any questions that you need answered, drop it in my comment box, and I will get back to you with the right solutions!