Can I work as an accountant without a degree?
No, professional accountants or Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) require a four-year bachelor's degree, but there are many financial jobs that you can qualify for without earning a full degree in accounting. These include jobs like a bookkeeper, payroll clerk, or tax preparer. Earning an undergraduate certificate in accounting can help you prepare to further your education to become an accountant or supplement your current education or work experience and add credentials to your resume.
Why should I learn accounting?
Accounting is a foundational element of business and every business needs someone to ensure their financial records are accurate. Outside of professional reasons, learning accounting can be beneficial to anyone who makes financial decisions as a tax payer, investor, or business owner. By learning accounting basics, you'll be able to understand the meaning of financial information that can help you better choose which banks to do business with, what types of loans can work for you, and more.
What is a certificate of accounting?
An undergraduate accounting certificate provides students with a basic overview of important accounting principles, including math for finance and some intermediate accounting classes. These certificates aren't a full degree program that includes general education classes, but offers a focused curriculum for those who want to concentrate on accounting. It's important to note that a certificate alone doesn't necessarily qualify someone for employment in the field. It can, however, help you prepare to further your education in accounting or business or enhance your knowledge if you currently work in a similar field.
What are some industry certifications and credentials that accountants should look to earn?
There are several professional certifications that accountants can earn to enhance their skills or add credentials to their resumes. The most common certification is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. CPAs generally need at least a four-year degree and some work experience before being eligible to sit for the exam. Similarly, other certifications require a degree or related work experience before you're able to sit for the exam. These include:
- Certified financial analyst
- Certified management accountant
- Certified fraud examiner