The timeline to licensing includes education, examination and experience. Please visit the certification section of this Web site for more information about the Examination process. This is not a license to practice. There are other educational and professional work experience requirements for licensure that vary from state to state. Our certification section offers more details on these requirements.
Once you have obtained your CPA license to practice, you will need to take continuing professional education courses annually to retain your license. To keep pace with new developments in business and technology, a majority of states require credit hours of education at an accredited college or university as a prerequisite to CPA certification. Here's a question about education that comes up again and again: "Do I need my Master's degree?
To begin a successful career in accounting, you will need to develop a wide array of knowledge, skills and competencies, ranging from a strong understanding of accounting and business concepts to effective leadership and communication skills. You will also need to have a broad business perspective, which will enable you to "see the big picture" of the internal and external factors that impact how a business operates.
Technology will also be a major enabler throughout your career, so it's critical to stay abreast of and utilize new computer applications and systems as necessary. Playing an active role in your education, such as taking a hard look at the courses you enroll in and what extracurricular activities you get involved in, helps to position you for a long and successful career. It's important to recognize that the learning doesn't end in school; it's really just the beginning of your lifetime commitment to continual education and development.
All of the skills and competencies listed below are considered important to success. A more comprehensive description of the competencies can be found within the Accounting Education Center. Problem-solving, analytical and research skills - You should be able to analyze, compare and interpret facts and figures.
The ability to identify and solve unstructured problems in an unfamiliar setting and provide insightful consulting advice is a valued quality.
Creative thinking will help you face issues on a daily basis and generate innovative solutions. Personal skills - Accounting is a service activity, and you will have to work well in teams as well as in one-on-one situations.
Critical to any organization's success is the ability to lead, motivate and empower teams to attain clear, concrete, timely and measurable results. Strong communication skills including the ability to be a good listener - You will be called upon to persuasively present, discuss and defend your views both formally and informally, in writing and verbally.
Change, transformation, foresight. What will it take to help organizations move beyond the new reality? Explore fresh opportunities in technology, strategy, leadership and more at this virtual event for audit committees and board members. Why become a CPA? Become a CPA: Unlimited opportunities. Become a CPA: Be a recognized leader. The CPA certification program. Commodity tax symposium Conquering the CPA Exam and obtaining the CPA license allows individuals to stand out to potential employers, who are often impressed with accountants who earn this highly coveted title.
Earning a CPA license demonstrates a commitment to the profession and often highlights potential candidates for leadership and management positions. A CPA license is also necessary for those who desire higher levels of authority and responsibility.
One reason for increased demand for CPAs is that in the s, there was a dip in accounting students when the Internet boomed and students chose to pursue jobs in IT and marketing. Also, the Sarbanes-Oxley act passed in and this act increased the need for qualified CPAs to enforce higher standards of public corporate accounting. Finally, Baby Boomers are retiring and leaving a tremendous gap in the market, which is also felt in the academic world as more and more accounting professors retire.
CPAs are typically multi-talented professionals who perform a mix of highly-specialized job functions including auditing, business and management consulting, information technology IT , international financial reporting and tax advisory services, to name a few.
Especially with the Millennial generation of CPAs, the accounting profession offers these individuals unique advantages in giving back to society , which they greatly value. Also, with the spread of globalization, the environment of accounting is changing.
They may work for dedicated accounting firms, as freelancers or small business owners, or for accounting departments at corporations or government agencies. Many CPAs eventually move beyond public accounting to pursue a broad spectrum of positions informed by and related to their original passion for accounting. Many pursue lucrative jobs in financial management.
It is not uncommon for CPAs to ascend to such prestigious positions as a chief financial officer or chief operating officer. No matter which job titles they pursue, however, these professionals remain heavily influenced by their previous education and work as CPAs. That being said, many accountants who lack certification still manage to secure satisfying and even lucrative work in their field of choice.
To become certified as CPAs, accountants must pass a rigorous exam. Furthermore, they must complete all coursework and training initiatives mandated in the state in which they intend to serve. Qualifications for licensure can vary dramatically from one jurisdiction to the next, so it is critical that CPAs craft their academic journey based on where and in what capacity they expect to work.
That being said, while most CPAs are licensed in just one or two states, some maintain licensure in a variety of jurisdictions. To prepare for tough exams, aspiring CPAs typically enroll in graduate-level degree programs to gain the knowledge and the educational hours required to take the test. A Master of Science in Accounting , for example, provides the high-level skills and knowledge needed to pass challenging tests and find success in this demanding career field.
CPA positions may look dramatically different based on a variety of factors. While many CPAs work for accounting firms or departments within large corporations, some set out on their own in hopes of launching businesses or serving as consultants. The industry also plays an important role. A CPA employed in, for example, investment banking may hold significantly different responsibilities than an accountant who primarily assists small business owners.
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