What Education Do I Need To Become an Accountant?

Accountants are responsible for managing financial records and statements, but their duties may also consist of cost accounting and tax preparation. They also need to stay up-to-date on business law and tax law.

Most accountants learn these skills through a bachelor's degree, if not a master's degree. Keep reading to discover what education you'll need to become an accountant.

Educational Requirements for Accountants

To work as an accountant, you typically need at least a bachelor's degree. However, some certifications, like the Certified Public Accountant credential, require additional education or other accounting training programs. We've broken down the basic educational requirements for accountants below.

Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting

In general, a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field is required to work as an accountant. Bachelor's degrees are four-year undergraduate degrees. You can find accounting degrees both on campus and online. Below, we've featured some top online accounting degree programs.

University of West Florida ?Online BSBA in Accounting

The University of West Florida is a public university in Pensacola, Florida. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

This program provides a business foundation focusing on the different facets of accounting including financial accounting, cost managerial accounting, auditing, accounting information systems, and taxation. Students who complete this program will be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA examination in Florida.

Arizona State University ?Online BS in Accountancy

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers various online programs, including a Bachelor of Science in accountancy.

Students graduate prepared for careers in public, corporate, and governmental accounting or personal financial planning and portfolio analysis. An accelerated online Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics is also available to students in the BS program.

University of Phoenix ?Online BS in Accounting

The University of Phoenix is a private, for-profit, online university based in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

This program allows students to develop specialized skills in managerial accounting, estate taxation, advanced topics in accounting research, and more. Note that the accounting courses in this degree program do not lead to CPA certification.

Accounting Certifications

To practice in some types of accounting positions, you'll need to hold an accounting certificate or licensure. Below, we've listed a few common types of accounting certifications.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Accountants who file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must be licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The CPA license requirements vary between states, but all states require them to pass the Uniform CPA exam from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Additionally, all states require CPAs to have at least 150 credit hours. Typically, bachelor's degree programs only require 120 credits, which is why many accounting professionals opt to earn a master's degree. However, in some states, you can sit for the exam before you have completed all 150 credit hours.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant credential. This credential proves your competency in financial planning, performance, and analytics, as well as strategic financial management.

To qualify for this certification exam, you must meet the education requirement of a bachelor's degree in accounting. You'll also need to meet the work experience requirement by having at least two continuous years of experience in management accounting or financial management.

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiners are trained professionals with skills in preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud. Those looking for accounting jobs in fraud detection should pursue the Certified Fraud Examiner certification from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

There are several ways to become eligible for this certification, but you'll need at least two years of work experience. The more work experience you have, the less education you'll need. For example, if you have an associate degree, you'll need four years of work experience.

Master's Degrees in Accounting

Because a CPA license requires 150 credits, many accountants opt to complete a graduate-level accounting program. Holding a master's degree in accounting can also advance your career path as it makes it more likely that you'll get hired by accounting firms.

We've featured a few online master's degrees in accounting below.

Liberty University ?Online MS in Accounting

Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. It offers several online programs, including a Master of Science in accounting.

This program provides an advanced accounting education and offers seven specializations:

• audit and financial reporting
• business
• financial services
• forensic accounting
• general accounting
• leadership
• tax accounting

Saint Leo University ?Online Master of Science in Accounting

Saint Leo University is a private Catholic university in St. Leo, Florida. It offers an online Master of Science in accounting that prepares students to pass the CPA and CMA exams.

This program provides an in-depth understanding of accounting designed to meet the needs of public accounting, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The degree requires 36 credit hours and takes two years of full-time study to complete.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ?Master of Science in Accountancy

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Champaign, Illinois. It offers a completely online Master of Science in accountancy.

The program builds on accounting fundamentals and requires 32 semester hours of hands-on and practice-oriented coursework. Students can complete the program in as few as 18 months of full-time study.

FAQs About the Educational Requirements for Accountants

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the educational requirements for accountants.

How Long Is the CPA Exam?

The Uniform CPA exam consists of four sections, and applicants have four hours to complete each part. This means you have 16 hours to complete the CPA exam.

Do I Need a Master's Degree To Advance My Accounting Career?

Whether or not you need a master's degree depends on your career goals. Most entry-level accounting jobs don't require a master's degree, but some organizations require more experienced accountants to hold one.

Additionally, many students pursue a master's degree to meet the 150 credits required to earn their CPA license. However, a master's isn't necessary for the CPA license, so long as you meet that credit minimum.

What Continuing Education Requirements Are There for Accountants?

The continuing education requirements you'll need depend on your accounting job and what state you're in. For example, most states have continuing education requirements that you'll need to meet to keep your CPA certification current.