Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Virginia 2025

If accounting is the career path you want to pursue, you may be wondering how quickly you can get started. You're wondering, what is the fastest way to become an accountant?

Keep reading as we discuss how you can become an accountant quickly in Virginia. We'll also answer some questions you may have and look at schools in the state that provide accelerated education programs in accounting.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants are financial professionals who perform a variety of duties for companies as well as individual clients. Their job duties typically revolve around keeping records and interpreting financial information. Daily tasks may include:

• preparing tax returns
• ensuring financial documents are accurate
• offering financial guidance
• performing risk analysis
• maintaining various financial reports

The accounting profession requires a strong understanding of data analytics, business law, financial planning, and professional ethics. Accountants commonly work for accounting firms, businesses, and individuals.

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

Accountants must have advanced training in a variety of financial topics. In most cases, it takes at least four to five years to gain the necessary education and work experience, though it may take up to seven years even for students studying full-time.

For starters, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting or business. This degree provides training through various accounting courses and typically takes full-time students about four years to complete.

You will also need to gain experience, which you can do by working internships or entry-level positions during or after college. This is especially important if you plan to become a certified public accountant (CPA), as you will need to complete an experience verification form when applying for your initial license.

To become a licensed CPA, you will also need to have at least 150 semester hours of college experience. Since bachelor's degrees typically provide 120 credit hours, students are encouraged to pursue a master's degree, which can add an additional one to two years of education to their total timeframe.

The Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Virginia

There are several steps to become an accountant that you'll need to follow, including getting education and experience and passing CPA licensure examinations. Though it can take anywhere from four to seven years to become an accountant, there are ways to accelerate the process.

Keep reading for tips on the fastest way to become an accountant. By following these steps, you can get started in as little as two to five years.

1. Complete Accelerated Degree Programs

Some schools offer accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs. These programs allow highly motivated students to gain the required semester hours of education in a shorter-than-average timeframe.

Accelerated bachelor's degrees can be completed in as little as one to three years, while accelerated master's degrees typically take one year or less to complete. Some schools also offer combined bachelor's-to-master's programs, also known as 4+1 or 3+2 programs, which allow students to pursue both degrees concurrently and graduate within five years or less.

2. Complete Internships or Entry-Level Jobs While Still in School

Many students wait until after they have graduated to begin gaining work experience. However, students can find and complete internships or entry-level jobs while working toward a master's degree.

Check with your academic advisor to find out about internship opportunities through the school or research opportunities on your own. It will require hard work and dedication to complete internships while still in school, but doing so can help you save valuable time as you pursue your accounting career.

3. Find Entry-Level Jobs

There are many entry-level accounting jobs available to candidates who hold only a bachelor's degree. If you completed your degree in an accelerated timeframe, you could be working one of these jobs within three years or less of starting school.

The experience you gain while working an entry-level job can help you as you prepare to become a CPA. However, if you were able to gain at least 2,080 hours of certifiable work experience while in graduate school (the equivalent of one year of full-time employment), this added work experience is not necessary for getting your CPA license.

4. Earn CPA Licensure

Not all accountants become CPAs; however, if you are planning to earn a Virginia CPA license, you will need to spend some extra time ensuring you meet all requirements. To summarize, these requirements include:

• having 150 semester hours of accounting-related education
• having 2,080 work hours of verifiable work experience (through internships or entry-level jobs)
• passing all four sections of the CPA exam within a 30-day time period

You may want to spend some time studying for the CPA exam. You can do this while still in school or while working an entry-level accounting job to save valuable time. If you complete an accelerated degree program and gain work experience while in school, you can meet all CPA requirements within five years or less.

Accelerated Accounting Programs in Virginia

Pursuing accelerated online accounting degrees is the first step in becoming an accountant quickly. With that in mind, let's look at some top schools in Virginia that allow you to get your education quickly.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private school in Lynchburg offering various flexible study options. The school offers both online and on-campus accounting programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Students can complete up to 18 credit hours per semester and transfer as much as 50% to 75% of their total credit requirements, allowing them to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as one year each. Flexible eight-week course sessions make it easy for students to juggle their education with work or other responsibilities, such as accounting internships.

• Time to completion: as little as one year
• Tuition cost: $390 to $615 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Longwood University

Longwood University is a public school in Farmville. It offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration and an online Master of Business Administration, both with concentrations in accounting.

These programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and are designed to help students finish quickly. Students can complete both programs in five years through the school's combined degree option. For those who already hold a bachelor's degree, a highly affordable and accelerated master's degree is available that can be completed just 10 months.

• Time to completion: 10 months to five years
• Tuition cost: $5,588 to $15,744 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB

ECPI University

ECPI University is a private, for-profit school in Virginia Beach. It offers accelerated bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration with accounting concentrations.

The school's flexible online learning model allows students to study year-round and at their own pace. This makes it possible for dedicated learners to earn a bachelor's degree in 2.5 years and a master's degree in 15 months.

• Time to completion: 15 months to 3.5 years
• Tuition cost: $6,480 to $7,848 per semester
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

FAQs About the Fastest Way To Become an Accountant in Virginia

If you still have questions about the education and experience requirements to become an accountant, you're not alone. Read on as we explore some frequently asked questions.

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

Tuition and other college costs can vary widely depending on your school and level of education. Generally speaking, the average cost for a year of tuition and fees in Virginia ranges from $15,262 to $22,869. Among the schools featured in this article, average tuition rates range from $5,588 to $15,696 per year.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Degree in Virginia?

A degree in accounting can lead to a variety of career paths in auditing, forensic accounting, financial accounting, and more. Some top job titles to consider as an accounting major include:

• certified public accountant
• financial examiner
• budget analyst
• accounting clerk
• personal financial advisor

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

The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) sets the standards for students hoping to take the Virginia CPA exam. Students must meet the following education requirements:

• at least 120 semester hours of education (150 hours are required for licensure)
• a bachelor's degree or higher
• a concentration in accounting featuring at least 24 hours of accounting courses
• completion of at least 24 hours of business courses

Meeting these education requirements will entitle you to sit for the CPA exam. You must receive exam scores of at least 75% and meet additional education and work experience requirements (as noted above) to obtain CPA licensure.

Explore Accounting Degrees

If you're ready to start your accounting career quickly, explore accelerated accounting degrees at the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the colleges today to find out more about their programs and to find the best option for you.