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What are the necessary steps to become an accountant and secure a job as an accountant? As a High School Student how can I be ahead of everyone after college or during college? and how difficult will it be?

I'm a High School senior, my plan is to go to a 2-year but transfer after one year and go to a 4-year. I plan to major in business and get a career as an accountant.

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Daniel’s Answer

Interning is a key piece of becoming a public accountant. Not only does it give you the exposure and experience you need to land a job in the industry, but it also is really helpful in finding out whether or not you truly like accounting. I would recommend as a sophomore talking to the career office at your university, and see what sort of relationships they have with major accounting firms in order to set you up to intern/extern and then hopefully you receive an offer. When i was a sophomore, i did an externship with PwC. That led to an internship with PwC and eventually a full time offer as a junior. That allowed me to fully enjoy my senior year, make some money as a junior, spend my senior summer working a relaxing job at a golf course, and still start a career at a top firm. That was the biggest key for me was getting the internship
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Anu’s Answer

Hey! I’m sure you’ll get a lot of answers from accountants, but here’s a perspective from a business major who started my career at a Big Four firm and worked closely with many accountants. First off, you’re already ahead simply because you have a plan. Starting at a 2‑year college and transferring to a 4‑year is a very common and smart path, especially in California. Many of the accountants I worked with majored in Accounting, Business Administration, or even MIS, and still went on to successful careers. If your goal is California CPA licensure, just be mindful that the state requires 150 total college units, so planning your coursework early (and choosing transferable classes) will really pay off.
One of the biggest things I observed at the Big Four is how important internships are. Securing a summer internship during college gives you real exposure to the work, helps you confirm whether accounting is the right fit, and often leads directly to a full‑time offer. Almost all of my accounting colleagues interned before graduating, and many earned their CPA in their second or third year while working(and got reimbursed with cost of material, exam fees etc). Accounting isn’t easy, but it’s very structured, If you stay consistent, seek out internships, and keep learning, it’s an incredibly stable and rewarding career. You’re thinking about this at exactly the right time, and if you keep this momentum, you’ll be very well positioned after college, especially in California where there is a steady demand for qualified accountants.
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Harry’s Answer

Hi Alexander, you have a few good answers already, so let me address a different view. Becoming a CPA is a great career path. However, it is not the only path. I had a great career in accounting, but never wanted to be a CPA. How did I do that? I stayed in manufacturing. I worked with both large multi-national public or private corporations and small family-owned companies. I never regretted it. I moved through a company where I was needed as I showed my worth. I have held jobs as accountant, A/P Supervisor, Payroll Supervisor, Tax Manager, Customer Service Manager, purchasing, inventory control, and International Customs Manager. I traveled throughout the US, Canada and Mexico and even spent months in China helping open up a satellite manufacturing plant. My last job was being the Assistant Controller for a company in Mexico. I gained broad experience in international accounting and the Mexican labor laws.

My point is that there are a lot of accounting opportunities. Don't close your mind to options. Having a CPA degree will very well help you move up through an organization. It just wasn't for me.

Good luck, Alexander.

Harry
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Rosa’s Answer

Hi Alexander - I'm glad to hear you already have a clear career plan! Pursuing an MBA and your CPA is definitely the right approach to becoming a highly knowledgeable accountant.

I’d like to offer an additional perspective from my own experience: Industry expertise is the key differentiator. While accounting follows standard principles and ground rules, compliance requirements and operational nuances vary significantly from one sector to another.

During your internships or externships, I recommend identifying one or two industries—such as Manufacturing or Banking—that you are passionate about. Aim to master their specific processes. Being a specialist in a particular industry will make your expertise much more valuable.

Good luck!
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