Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Georgia 2025

Accountants play a crucial financial role in many business, academic, and public sectors. If you live in Georgia and are planning to become an accountant, you may be wondering if there are any accelerated pathways to the field. You'd like to know: what is the fastest way to become an accountant?

Keep reading as we explore what accountants do and how to become one quickly. We'll also explore some colleges in Georgia that provide accelerated accounting degree paths.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants are finance professionals tasked with recording and interpreting various types of financial records and data. They may perform a variety of job duties for companies or individual clients, including:

• preparing tax returns and providing tax planning services
• performing risk analysis
• reviewing financial statements for accuracy
• conducting audits
• providing financial advice to clients

Accountants commonly work in public accounting firms, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and more. They must earn several years of experience and education to become skilled in financial strategies and knowledgeable in financial laws.

How Long Does It Take To Become an Accountant in Georgia?

Even beginning accountants typically need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration. It takes about four years for full-time students to earn this degree.

Accounting candidates may also need to gain experience through internships or entry-level positions. This may take an additional year or two.

If you plan to become a certified public accountant (CPA), you'll need to gain both work experience and additional college credits. Many students gain the necessary credit hours by earning a master's degree, which usually takes about one to two years to complete.

It may also take some time to complete all portions of the Uniform CPA Examination. Candidates have up to 18 months to complete this process.

All in all, it usually takes anywhere from four to seven years to become an accountant in Georgia. Those studying part-time or progressing through the steps more slowly may need eight to 10 years or longer to reach their career goals.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Georgia

Though there are several steps to become an accountant, there are ways to complete the steps at a faster-than-average rate. Explore the tips below to find out more about the fastest way to become an accountant in Georgia.

1. Complete Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated degree programs make it possible for hard-working students to complete their education more quickly than normal. Accelerated bachelor's degrees can be completed within one to three years, while accelerated master's degrees typically take a year or less to finish.

Some schools offer combined bachelor's-to-master's degrees, also called 4+1 programs. Students in these programs can take some graduate-level courses while still pursuing their bachelor's degree, ultimately graduating with both degrees in five years or less.

2. Gain Entry-Level Experience

Many accounting careers require candidates with at least some work experience. Pursuing internships while still in school can help you land your first job more quickly once you've graduated.

Those hoping to become licensed CPAs will need to meet experience requirements outside of school. If you're planning to pursue this career path, you can meet these requirements by beginning supervised entry-level careers right out of school.

3. Complete the CPA Exam While Working

There are four parts to the CPA exam, and candidates are encouraged to spend some time between each part preparing for the next one. To streamline the process and earn CPA licensure faster, you can prepare for and complete each exam section while gaining work experience.

You have up to 18 months to successfully complete all parts of the test with 75% exam scores or better. However, you can progress through each section at your own pace, making it possible to complete the process much more quickly.

4. Get Licensed

After passing the CPA exam, you will need to ensure you meet additional CPA requirements to be eligible for a license. You'll need to have at least 150 semester credit hours to your name, including at least 30 accounting course credits and 24 credits of business courses. You must also have at least 2,000 hours of continuous approved work experience.

You can apply for an initial CPA license through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The license application fee costs $140.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in Georgia

The first step in starting an accounting career quickly is to find accelerated online accounting degrees. Take a look at some top Georgia schools offering these types of programs.

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a public school offering both a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Accounting (MAcc). Both programs are completed on campus. The bachelor's degree may also be combined with a Master of Business Administration so students can graduate with both degrees sooner.

The MAcc degree is an accelerated program that helps students earn their master's degree and complete the CPA exam within the same two semesters. Students who complete the bachelor's degree immediately followed by the master's degree can meet all academic requirements for CPA licensure within five years.

• Time to completion: one to five years
• Tuition cost: $5,328 to $5,786 per year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Mercer University

Mercer University is a private school that provides graduate and undergraduate accounting degrees. The bachelor's degree is a traditional four-year program, but students in the master's program can earn their degrees in an accelerated one-year timeframe.

Undergraduate students can transfer all but the final 32 credits of their degree to the school, potentially helping them graduate much sooner. Even traditional students who earn their bachelor's degree in four years can complete both bachelor's and master's programs within five. This school is a great choice for Georgia students looking for flexible, accelerated options.

• Time to completion: one to five years
• Tuition cost: $17,565 to $40,890 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Wesleyan College

Wesleyan College is a private women's college offering an accelerated online bachelor's degree in accounting. Students at this school can also enroll in a combined program to earn a Master of Business Administration in as little as 12 months after earning their bachelor's degrees, gaining both credentials within five years or less.

The school offers accelerated eight-week course sessions, five yearly start dates, and the flexibility to work their studies around their busy schedules. Plus, thanks to a generous transfer policy, students can earn their bachelor's degrees in an even faster timeframe by transferring previously earned college credits.

• Time to completion: one to five years
• Tuition cost: $11,573 to $27,650
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

FAQs About the Fastest Way to Become an Accountant in Georgia

If you still have questions about meeting the education, experience, and exam requirements to become an accountant in Georgia, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some common questions you may be wondering about.

How Much Does It Cost To Become an Accountant in Georgia?

The cost of your degree program can vary widely depending on the school you attend and the type of degree you're pursuing. Median tuition costs for in-state learners are $6,892 per year. Among the schools in this article, annual costs range from around $5,300 to more than $40,000.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in Georgia?

There are many different career paths you can pursue with an accounting degree. Some of the job titles to consider include:

• auditor
• financial analyst
• personal financial advisor
• sales manager
• management analyst

What Are the Education Requirements To Become a CPA in Georgia?

According to the Georgia State Board of Accountancy, those preparing to take the CPA exam in Georgia must have completed at least a bachelor's degree along with 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of accounting classes beyond the first two introductory courses. To obtain a license, candidates must have completed 150 credit hours of college coursework.

Explore Accounting Degrees

If you're ready to start your accounting career in Georgia, explore the colleges featured here on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools to learn more about their degree programs and to choose the best option for you.