Requirements to become a certified accountant vary by location and profession, with exams and formal diplomas needed in most cases. Continuing education is also required. Specializations have their own organizations, exams, and entry requirements. Continuing education programs are also available for already certified accountants.
Requirements to be a certified accountant vary by location and profession; therefore, course and licensure requirements also vary. To be certified in most locations, accountants usually need to pass exams and complete a formal diploma to belong to locally accredited accounting organizations. Certified accounting courses can be completed through university programs, self-study, or exam-specific tutorials. Many locations also require accountants to keep their education current by taking continuing education courses offered by local accounting boards.
The education requirement for accountants varies internationally. In the US, for example, Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in most states are required to have a bachelor’s degree, several accounting and business classes, and have passed the CPA exam in the state of practice. The UK, however, does not require a bachelor’s degree for its chartered accountants, although graduates are more likely to be accepted into accounting organizations with a degree.
Certified accountant status usually requires a bachelor’s degree or higher. Accounting degree or community college programs do not certify accountants, but they do provide students with a lot of information about the profession and possible exam requirements. Accounting courses certified for degree accounting programs vary by location. Typical courses involved in degree programs include cost accounting, auditing, and federal income taxes.
Specialized graduate accounting programs around the world also offer certified accounting courses that help link students to various accounting organizations. These courses can also help prepare students for licensing exams. Courses taken in some MBA or MSc degrees include cost management, corporate governance and the fraud exam.
In addition to the various educational requirements to become a certified accountant, each specific profession also has several location-specific requirements. Accountants can specialize in international accounting, forensic accounting, auditing, and many other options. Many specializations have their own organizations, exams, and entry requirements.
There are also courses to help pass profession- and location-specific accounting exams outside the university. Accredited courses can be private or public in nature and are occasionally suggested or offered by the test committee as the material varies by test. These types of certified accounting courses are aimed directly at the exam. They can be administered in the classroom, online or through self-study.
Continuing education programs for those who are already certified accountants are often needed. Accounting organizations and local educational groups offer these programs. Certified accounting courses in continuing education can be offered at conferences, online, or via self-study. Topics are updated frequently and requirements vary by location and profession.
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