Certified Public Accountants or CPAs, are licensed professionals who
conduct audits and help businesses and other institutions manage their finances.
Graduate from high school. Alternatively, you can take the General Education Development (GED) examination. You will need to do one of these things in order to apply to a four-year institution. Take the SATs, the standardized test that is required for college admission, your junior year and apply to more than one school in order to keep your options open.
The Uniform
Certified Public Accountant Examination is an exam administered by the US
government for individuals who qualify with certain education and experience
requirements. It is one of the top certifications that is recognized in the business
world and allows you to be a partner in an accounting firm and sign audit
reports on behalf of your firm. If you enjoy working with numbers and would like to pursue a career in accounting, read this article to learn where to get started.
Graduate from high school. Alternatively, you can take the General Education Development (GED) examination. You will need to do one of these things in order to apply to a four-year institution. Take the SATs, the standardized test that is required for college admission, your junior year and apply to more than one school in order to keep your options open.
Get a bachelor's
degree. Most
states, with a few exceptions, require that CPAs have at least a bachelor's
degree in accounting or finance. These programs typically take four years to
complete, and tuition and coursework will vary depending on the school.
Students take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, business, auditing,
and marketing.
Certain
companies also require that a CPA have a master's degree. Increase your job
prospects by getting a master's in either finance or accounting. These programs
typically take one or two years to complete. Some states allow prospective
candidates to substitute relevant work experience for a bachelor's degree.
Get certified in your
state. You will
need to take the four-part Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and
meet additional certification requirements for your state in order to work as a
public accountant. Some states also require prior accounting experience as a pre-requisite
for licensure.
The Unified CPA examination is composed of the following four sections:
The Unified CPA examination is composed of the following four sections:
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD). Subsections include internal controls and obtaining and documenting information.
- Business Environment and Concepts (BEC). Subsections include business structure, economic concepts, financial management, and information technology.
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR). Subsections include concepts and standards for financial statements, typical items in financial statements, and accounting and reporting for government entities.
- Regulation (REG). Subsections include ethics and professional responsibility, business law, and federal taxation.
Find a job as an
accountant.
CPAs can work in a variety of settings, including businesses, corporations,
government institutions, and schools. Job opportunities for CPAs and other
accountant/auditor occupations are expected to increase by 22% between 2008 and
2018 to meet increased demand due to new financial regulations.
Public
accountants can choose to specialize in certain fields like forensic
accounting, tax advising, and medical care compensation.
CPAs may be
hired by businesses or government agencies, or can be self-employed through
their own practice.
Certified
CPAs must complete continuing education requirements in order to keep their
license current.
By WikiHow
