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What degrees do you have to earn to start as an accountant?

I’d like to know what specific degrees I should major in and why I should to start becoming an accountant.

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Sophia Nicole’s Answer

Hi Emma,

I majored in accounting myself and have worked at an accounting firm for 6+ years - it's a great field to start your career in and I can't recommend it enough! Here's a simple plan to get you started:

1. Major in Accounting: This is the best way to prepare for a career in accounting. If your school doesn't offer this, think about transferring to one that does. Alternatively, you can major in Finance or Business Administration and then pursue a Master's in Accountancy.

2. Certification: Most accounting firms prefer candidates with an accounting degree and certification like CPA or EA. These certifications help you advance in your career and handle more complex tasks. To take the CPA exam, you'll need 120 or 150 credit hours, depending on your state. Talk to a guidance counselor to ensure you're taking the right courses.

3. Internships: Start looking for internships or early career opportunities as early as your freshman year. This experience is valuable and can lead to full-time positions. Keep track of your credit hours to know when you can qualify for these opportunities.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to succeed in the accounting field. Good luck!

Sophia Nicole recommends the following next steps:

Major in Accounting and/or pursue a Master's in Accountancy
Meet with a guidance counselor at your school to make sure you're signing up for the right courses & confirm your graduation timeline
Look for internship or early career opportunities as early as possible
Sit for the CPA or EA exams
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much this really helped me plan out what I’ll do! Emma
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Joseph’s Answer

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), most states need you to have 150 college credit hours. Since a typical bachelor's degree is only 120 hours, many students stay for an extra year to earn a Master's in Accounting. You must also pass the Uniform CPA Exam and have 1–2 years of work experience under a CPA to get your license.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Joseph! Emma
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Vianne’s Answer

If you're thinking about becoming an accountant, the main thing you'll need is a bachelor's degree. Most people choose to major in accounting because it's the most straightforward path. In this major, you'll learn how businesses manage money, including financial statements, taxes, auditing, and budgeting. It's not just about doing math all day; it's more about understanding systems and making sense of numbers. Some people choose business administration or finance, but if you're sure about accounting, sticking with it makes things easier later on.

One thing to know is that if you want to become a CPA, which can lead to better job opportunities and higher pay, you'll usually need 150 college credits instead of the usual 120. Because of this, some students stay an extra year, double major, add a minor, or pursue a master's in accounting. You don’t have to decide on this right now, but it's good to know so you're not caught off guard later. Many students figure this out halfway through college, and that's completely normal.

Accounting is a popular career because it's stable and practical. Every company needs accountants, so there are plenty of options. If you enjoy being organized, solving problems, and having a clear structure in your work, accounting could be a great fit for you. For now, focus on doing well in math, maybe take a business class if your school offers one, and stay curious. You don't need to have everything planned out right now, and that's how most people start.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the help. Emma
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Caitlin’s Answer

To become a Certified Public Accountant, I would recommend a bachelor's degree in Accounting. It also might depend on your university, and you can set up time with your guidance counselor or an advisor in the Accounting department to talk about the different options. To be able to sit for the CPA exam, you need to have taken some specific accounting and business classes, and those requirements vary by state. Your advisor can help, or point you in the direction of where to look to find the requirements of where you plan to get certified. Accounting usually makes sense as a major, because of the required accounting courses. But it is possible to major in finance or something similar, just know you'll have to take extra accounting courses than those who do not plan to be a CPA.

Caitlin recommends the following next steps:

Consult with a guidance counselor or accounting advisor at your university/college.
Look up the requirements to take the CPA exam in the state you think you will work upon graduating.
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Vicky’s Answer

Adding on to the previous response, add internships with bookkeeping, etc…
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice. Emma
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Kimberly’s Answer

Lots of people start with a business degree or an accounting degree, but we have lots of leaders that started with very different degrees. I suggest going to Kathryn Kaminsky's LinkedIn. She had a liberal arts degree before joining PwC. Accounting requires a CPA, but the path to decide this is what you want to do can be very different.

The easier path can be a general business degree with a few accounting courses to determine how you like or dislike being an accountant.

Kimberly recommends the following next steps:

Check various people on LinkedIn and see what their degrees were to think differently.
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Kate’s Answer

Hi Emma! I majored in Accounting and have spent my whole career at a large firm. The career path is pretty straightforward: major in Accounting, and make sure you know your state's CPA requirements for after graduation. While others might have mentioned this, I want to highlight it again: with the rise of Artificial Intelligence and Data/Information Technology, finding a university that allows students to double major or minor in AI, IT, or Tech could really give you a great advantage!
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Kelly’s Answer

To become an accountant, most states require 150 credit hours to take the exam, which is important to do. A common path is earning a Bachelors degree in accounting and then a Masters in Taxation or a Masters in Accounting. However, not all universities offer this, and it's not mandatory. Combining a bachelor's and master's degree usually provides enough credits and courses for the exam. Some people skip the master's degree and instead double major in accounting and finance. This requires careful planning to ensure you meet all course requirements, but it's a viable option. Good luck!
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Denise’s Answer

Preferably major in accounting. It is a good idea to also select a minor - finance or IT would be helpful. If you want to become a CPA, generally that is 150 college credit hours. However, check with your state. Some states are changing the requirements to sit for the CPA exam.
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Katelyn’s Answer

Consider pursuing an accounting degree with a minor or double major in finance or accounting information systems. The accounting major will give you a strong foundation, while the additional focus areas will help you connect all the pieces. A general business degree might not cover the detailed accounting skills you need. Also, try to find a job in the field while studying. It can be a great way to apply what you learn and discover that real-world problems are often more interesting and complex than those in textbooks.
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Justin’s Answer

Your first step is to see what schools in your area offer as degrees or certificates. If you plan to move then look that up for your destination. See what is offered and then make your decision.

Most common is simply an Accounting degree, start with Associates, get a job and some experience and see if you like it and continue to achieve a bachelors.

You can get a degree in finance as well.

A business admin degree on top of those could prove very valuable.

BUT, like I said, you need to see what schools near you offer as some may or may not have what I listed.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Justin Emma
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