3 answers
lucy
Student
Georgia, IN
1
Question
Asked
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how do I start my career as an accountant?
I would love to pursue my career as an accountant.
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3 answers
Damion Freeman
Tax Accountant
27
Answers
North Port, Florida
Updated
Damion’s Answer
Dear Lucy,
The common perception that being an accountant requires exceptional math skills isn't entirely accurate. The real key lies in your ability to solve problems and persistently pursue solutions until the puzzle is solved. Additionally, in today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, having a solid understanding of data science or computer skills can be a significant advantage. I recommend exploring the various types of accounting roles available and consulting with your school's counselors. They can provide guidance and help you access the necessary resources.
Furthermore, the AICPA website is a valuable resource for additional information, including potential scholarships if you're considering a career in public accounting. The beauty of accounting is its flexibility; if you find one path isn't to your liking, you can easily switch to another.
Here's to your future goals and dreams! May you achieve all that you aspire to.
The common perception that being an accountant requires exceptional math skills isn't entirely accurate. The real key lies in your ability to solve problems and persistently pursue solutions until the puzzle is solved. Additionally, in today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, having a solid understanding of data science or computer skills can be a significant advantage. I recommend exploring the various types of accounting roles available and consulting with your school's counselors. They can provide guidance and help you access the necessary resources.
Furthermore, the AICPA website is a valuable resource for additional information, including potential scholarships if you're considering a career in public accounting. The beauty of accounting is its flexibility; if you find one path isn't to your liking, you can easily switch to another.
Here's to your future goals and dreams! May you achieve all that you aspire to.
Shirley L
Accountant
64
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Hi Lucy,
If you're in high school, you can ask your guidance counselor if your school offers accounting classes, Microsoft Excel or Virtual Enterprise courses. The accounting class will give you a preview of what college accounting classes will look like (i.e. how to book a journal entry with debits and credits, what are financial statements, etc.). Accountants use Excel on a daily basis, so if you know how to analyze data and are comfortable working with large datasets, you're in a good spot. Some schools have a virtual enterprise class to reward credits toward graduation while learning how to run a business. You'll be working with your classmates to compete against other high school's virtual enterprise classes. You can interview for an accounting or CFO (Chief Financial Officer) position.
If you're in college, enroll in a college or university who offers a bachelor's in accounting program. From there, you'll take multiple classes about financial accounting, auditing, taxation, cost/managerial accounting, and accounting information systems. You'll also come across finance, economics, business law, and computer information systems courses. Although they're not accounting classes, general knowledge of these classes will give help you down the road when you sit for the CPA exam.
Depending on your state where you will be licensed as a CPA, you may need 120 or 150 credits to sit for the exam. The CPA exam consists of four parts, each four hours long. It is a difficult exam and will take months of preparation. In order to be a fully licensed CPA, you will need 150 credits and at least one year of work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Landing an internship can be as difficult as finding a job, so local CPA firms are a great way to get your foot in the door.
If you're in high school, you can ask your guidance counselor if your school offers accounting classes, Microsoft Excel or Virtual Enterprise courses. The accounting class will give you a preview of what college accounting classes will look like (i.e. how to book a journal entry with debits and credits, what are financial statements, etc.). Accountants use Excel on a daily basis, so if you know how to analyze data and are comfortable working with large datasets, you're in a good spot. Some schools have a virtual enterprise class to reward credits toward graduation while learning how to run a business. You'll be working with your classmates to compete against other high school's virtual enterprise classes. You can interview for an accounting or CFO (Chief Financial Officer) position.
If you're in college, enroll in a college or university who offers a bachelor's in accounting program. From there, you'll take multiple classes about financial accounting, auditing, taxation, cost/managerial accounting, and accounting information systems. You'll also come across finance, economics, business law, and computer information systems courses. Although they're not accounting classes, general knowledge of these classes will give help you down the road when you sit for the CPA exam.
Depending on your state where you will be licensed as a CPA, you may need 120 or 150 credits to sit for the exam. The CPA exam consists of four parts, each four hours long. It is a difficult exam and will take months of preparation. In order to be a fully licensed CPA, you will need 150 credits and at least one year of work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Landing an internship can be as difficult as finding a job, so local CPA firms are a great way to get your foot in the door.
Lora Bartlett
Administration
16
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Lora’s Answer
Hi, Lucy,
Not sure if you are a HS student or a college student, so I will advise on both. If HS, focus on math classes. Being an accountant requires a solid knowledge of GAP, which will come with experience and with learning. You will also need to use reasoning and logic in your chosen profession; classes that can help are foreign languages and the sciences.
If you are in college, same goes for math classes. Here, you will focus on statistics, business administration, Ethics, and so on. To become a CPA, you will need a total of 150 college credits, which is 30 more than a standard Bachelor's. Those additional hours will be math and business management.
Good luck!
Not sure if you are a HS student or a college student, so I will advise on both. If HS, focus on math classes. Being an accountant requires a solid knowledge of GAP, which will come with experience and with learning. You will also need to use reasoning and logic in your chosen profession; classes that can help are foreign languages and the sciences.
If you are in college, same goes for math classes. Here, you will focus on statistics, business administration, Ethics, and so on. To become a CPA, you will need a total of 150 college credits, which is 30 more than a standard Bachelor's. Those additional hours will be math and business management.
Good luck!