How to Become an Accountant: 7 Steps - JWU College of Professional Studies

Do you enjoy working with numbers? Are you looking for a stable, rewarding career with ample room for advancement? A career as an accountant could be right for you. So, what exactly does an accountant do, and how do you go about becoming one? Read on to gain a better understanding of what this career path entails.

What Does an Accountant Do?

More than just number crunchers, accountants play a central role in the preparation and examination of financial records. Specifically, the BLS explains that accountants “identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly.”

Accountants can work for any number of businesses and organizations. Many are hired on by companies in the private sector to assist with areas like payroll, financial documentation, taxes, and internal auditing. It’s also not uncommon for government agencies to hire dedicated accountants to ensure that money is spent in accordance with government laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, some accountants work for themselves as freelancers or even start their own businesses. Those who take this route enjoy the freedom of choosing which clients they wish to work with and how much of a workload they want to take on at any given time.

Common Responsibilities of an Accountant

Although the everyday work of one accountant may not look the same as another, some basic duties and responsibilities that most professionals in this role are expected to perform include:

Reviewing and examining financial records.
Calculating taxes owed and preparing tax returns on behalf of businesses.
Maintaining and organizing financial records securely.
Making recommendations to decision-makers regarding financial risks and overall operations.
Performing internal audits and ensuring that companies are meeting relevant regulatory standards.

How to Become an Accountant

Still wondering whether a career in accounting is a good fit? It can be helpful to understand the steps of how to become an accountant and begin working in this dynamic field — from obtaining the right credentials to exploring additional certifications and opportunities for specialization.

Ask Yourself: Is Accounting Right for Me?

Of course, the first decision to make is whether accounting is a good fit for you. Generally speaking, people who thrive in accounting are analytical thinkers who enjoy solving problems. They also tend to be well-organized and possess a keen eye for detail.

Accountants have a solid understanding of mathematics, too, with the ability to conceptualize money in the form of numbers and figures. There’s also an element of tech-savviness that accompanies working in accounting, so knowing how to work with software and other tools can go a long way. If you don’t have a firm grasp of the technical skills involved in an accounting career just yet, these can be learned and honed in school by pursuing a higher education.

Earn the Right Education

Speaking of school, becoming an accountant generally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. This type of degree program can help aspiring professionals develop the technical and interpersonal skills necessary to work in accounting, with coursework covering essential topics such as:

Taxation
Auditing
Accounting information systems
Business analytics

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, some accountants may choose to pursue an advanced degree at the graduate level. A master’s degree in accounting can provide opportunities to specialize and differentiate skills with real-world project applications and techniques. Those with a master’s in accounting may explore coursework in:

Advanced auditing
Law
Individual and corporate taxation
Leadership and management
Ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR)

By obtaining a master’s degree in the field, working accountants may be able to take their careers to the next level with new work opportunities.

Consider an Internship

Many schools also offer internship opportunities for students in accounting programs, which can be an excellent way for aspiring accountants to gain practical, hands-on experience in the field while working toward their degrees. Taking part in an internship program can also help students build their own professional networks — potentially opening new doors of opportunity after graduation.

Choose a Specialization (If You Want to)

Accounting is a broad field, with numerous areas of specialization available depending on where your interests lie. While not required, pursuing a specialization in accounting can be an ideal way to focus your growth on the realm of the field that most interests you.

Examples of specializations in accounting include:

Forensic accounting, which may involve investigating accusations of fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes.
Environmental accounting, or the process of factoring in environmental costs when assessing a company’s overall performance.
Taxation, or helping businesses stay on top of their tax obligations, minimize tax responsibility, and follow relevant laws.
Assurance, which involves helping businesses prevent fraud and ensuring that their financial records are as accurate as possible.

Earn Accounting Certifications

Though not always required to work as an accountant, many professionals end up pursuing professional certifications in order to stand out in the hiring process and qualify for potential new roles. Depending on where your interests lie, there are various accounting certifications you may want to explore, including:

It is worth noting that earning a formal degree or certificate in accounting is not the same as getting an industry-recognized certification, although the right degree program could help you prepare for the CPA exam or other certification exams in your field. For instance, students enrolled in JWU’s bachelor’s in accounting program can learn more about taking the Uniform Certified Public Accountants Examination in the catalog.

Pursue Entry-Level Roles

With a formal degree and perhaps some certifications under your belt, you’ll be ready to apply for entry-level roles in the accounting field. Typically, these jobs are ideal for recent college graduates because they require little to no experience but can help you get your foot in the door. Depending on your schedule and qualifications, you may even be able to pursue entry-level positions while still in school. Some examples of entry-level roles to consider in accounting include:

Accounting assistant
Bookkeeper
Accounts payable
Bank clerk

These types of jobs can equip you with the hands-on experience to begin applying what you’ve learned in an accounting degree program to real-world problems — giving you an authentic taste of what it’s like to work in this dynamic field.

Pursue Continuous Learning

No matter your short- or long-term goals as a professional accountant, one of the critical keys to success is to constantly be in pursuit of new skills and knowledge. After all, the accounting field isn’t static; new trends and technologies are emerging all the time, and accountants will ideally be prepared to keep up with innovations as they arise.

One of the best ways to stay relevant and competitive as an accountant is to take advantage of professional development and training opportunities. From pursuing additional certifications to attending industry events and workshops, accountants are never truly done learning.

Potential Career Paths in Accounting

There is much more you can do with an accounting degree than working as a public accountant. Explore a range of entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level roles in the field:

Entry-Level Roles

Staff accountant – This professional = handles routine accounting tasks within a business, ranging from maintaining financial records and balance sheets to staying on top of compliance requirements.
Junior auditor – These accounting professionals typically assist senior auditors with reviewing financial records for accuracy and pinpointing discrepancies.
Tax associate – This professional assists clients with their tax preparation and planning (including both individuals and businesses alike).

Mid-Level and Senior Positions

Accounting manager – This professional oversees entire accounting departments, ensuring that accounting teams are following best practices and maintaining compliance standards.
Financial controller – These executives are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a company’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting.
Senior auditor – This accounting expert conducts financial audits to check for discrepancies and other issues, often working alongside other accounting professionals internally or for a third-party service.

Accounting Career Outlook

The job outlook for accountants and auditors is generally positive, making this an excellent career choice for those seeking stability. According to the BLS, “Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2023, faster than the average for all occupations.” This translates to roughly 130,800 job openings for accountants in the field each year.

Why is the demand for accountants increasing? In general, the expansion of the global economy paired with increasingly complex regulatory requirements has led to a greater need for experienced, knowledgeable accounting professionals across the board.

With all this in mind, now could be an optimal time to start on your path to becoming an accountant — particularly if you’ve been uncertain about returning to school or enrolling in a degree program for the first time.

Take the First Step to Becoming an Accountant

Working in accounting can be a rewarding career, especially if you enjoy problem-solving and working with numbers. The path to becoming an accountant is relatively straightforward, with earning a quality accounting degree being one of the most essential requirements.

At Johnson and Wales University (JWU), our College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting that can prepare students to serve day-to-day accounting operations and strategic financial planning to strengthen long-term organizational performance. With courses in federal taxation, auditing, accounting information systems, and more, students learn the foundational skills needed to succeed in this line of work. And if you want to take your education even further to the graduate level, this degree can also prepare you for our Master of Business Administration in Accounting (MBA). Get in touch today to learn more!

For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].