What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter the field of accounting?
#accounting #business #finance #accountant
27 answers
Ford’s Answer
Hi Adalberto,
As most responders have mentioned already, I think the best course of action is to try and take some sort of entry level accounting class depending on whether or not you are in high school or college. From there, you can get a decent grasp of the field and some of the basic fundamentals of the profession. In my experience, I would like to mention that accounting is not the same in the real world as what it feels like in accounting classes. In the real world, there is client interaction, project management, and much more than just crunching numbers. So with that being said, do no feel intimidated or put off from accounting if it seems too technical for you. Lastly, if you feel like accounting is a fit for you, I suggest obtaining the 150 credit requirement to sit for the CPA exam.
Iman’s Answer
Danielle’s Answer
Best wishes on your journey!
Lisa’s Answer
Hello Adalberto,
I would recommend to try and do a work experience for a short time in the different areas of accounting. Accounting can be divided broadly into Financial and Management accounting. Searching different articles online is a great help to get an understanding. A week would be enough to get a feel for the situation.
Joseph’s Answer
Hey Adalberto,
Depends on what stage of your student career you are currently at. I think if you are in college or thinking about college that you should try to get a degree or minor in finance/accounting. The classes that will typically be in those accounting curriculum programs will set you up for a career in accounting. From there I think you can either choose to go to public ( public accounting) or private (working in industry in an accounting department). Those are typically your two routes. Also another thing to get good at is Excel. Excel is very important for accountants and you will probably have to use the program a lot.
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Vipa’s Answer
I would suggest finish your 150 units and CPA exams before starting the job in accounting field! To be honest, it was a bit tough to balance work, life and CPA exams especially when work get busy. I was lucky when I first started I was not as busy as other, so I had a lot of time to study for my exams through out my first year at PwC and I was able to completed all of my exams within my first year at the firm. A lot of my peers on the other hand are not as fortunate and after three years in, they are still working on their exams. Some of their passed exam sections had expired and then they have to retake. Therefore, I think if you finish your exams and 150 units you will be able to lift a lot of weight off of your shoulder.
Adebola’s Answer
In order to prepare for the field of accounting, I would recommend getting to know your professors. This is because they are going to be the ones that help you accounting wise until you graduate. They are also the people that you can come to when you need career advice in the future. I would also recommend networking with your peers and professionals within the accounting industry. You can do this by joining student organizations that involve business/accounting majors. You can also attend conferences and career fairs in order to get your foot in the door when it comes to securing an internship.
Kaitlin’s Answer
1. Decide what type of accounting you want to pursue. For example public accounting (CPA track) or industry accounting (non-CPA track; working in an accounting department for a company). Both are solid options, but the path will be a bit different. I'm going to focus on the CPA track. CPA = Certified Public Accountant
2. Research colleges/universities that have strong Accounting programs in the business school. Ask which firms/companies recruit their students. Find out more about the curriculum and how to obtain 150 credit hours to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam.
3. Develop a 150 credit plan to be CPA eligible. Some colleges offer a clear path to CPA eligibility and others require you as the student to be more hands on with determining how to get 150 credits. For example MAcc (Masters of Accounting) program (1 extra year of school) versus a double major/extra courses in the summer to reach 150 in 4 years (AP credits count towards 150 too!).
4. Meet the Public Accounting firms on campus. Participate in the recruitment activities that are being offered at your school. Get to know the recruiters from each firm that come to your school. Apply to internship or full time opportunities with multiple firms.
5. Seek advice from faculty and upperclassmen. Get to know your professors. Ask about their career path and for their advice/counsel on how to land a job at a public accounting firm. Upperclassmen were also recently in your shoes. Ask for their advice. Use them as a mentor to help you find an internship, etc.
6. Apply to take the CPA exam. Once your eligible Accounting coursework is complete, you can sit for the CPA exam. The CPA exam requires a lot of diligent study time. The rewards of being a CPA are endless. You will have lasting credibility and be a sought after resource for both public accounting firms, industry companies and even the government!
Best of luck!
Salvador’s Answer
Hi Adalberto,
Everyone here has given you some great advice but I would add that if you do decide to pursue a career in accounting be open to the idea of change. Accounting is a career that requires continuous learning mainly due to the fact that rules and regulations change with time. In college you will learn the current accounting standards but it is possible that by the time you graduate there will be a new accounting standard that replaces the one you learned. Hope this gives some clarity in what to expect in the field of accounting, good luck!
Fiona’s Answer
If you are taking a serious interest in accounting, it's always helpful to learn some of the basics either through school or through work experience. Some of the fundamentals are getting an understanding of what a general ledger looks like, how do debits and credits work, and what role a bookkeeper plays in company.
In today's field of accounting, it's much more than just crunching numbers. Many companies rely on technology to improve their day to day functions, so it may not seem intuitive, but I'd actually recommend a programming class to prepare yourself for the digital world we are all bound to embrace. I certainly wish I did it when I was in school. Programming skills really do apply to so many industries and it'll come in handy in the most surprising way.
Yeskendir (Alex)’s Answer
I would recommend planning your courses as early as freshman year of college. This is because it often takes more than a few classes to become eligible to take a CPA exam and obtain the CPA license, which is most likely what you will have to get if you are planning on doing private/public accounting in the US. Additionally, each state has its own requirement for the number of credits you need to have in order to become licensed. I knew back in sophomore year of college that you would need to have at least 150 credits to be eligible to get certified in MA. Since my school let me take additional classes during a semester, I tried taking advantage of it and took extra classes to get 150 credits as an undergrad. Other people often pursue a masters degree in accounting, because they did not get that many credits as undergrads. My recommendation would be take all the required accounting classes, take additional courses to meet the credits requirement, attend accounting club if you have one in college, visit accounting events, and start networking with accounting professionals as early as you can.
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Emilio’s Answer
There are so many different opportunities in the field of accounting. I would start off by talking to professors at school and just looking up what internships are out there for accounting students. I've done internships in both the private and public sectors of accounting and I've learned so much just by creating relationships with the people I have met through these experiences.
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Jasmine’s Answer
The first step would be to do as much research as you can about the career paths related to accounting - whether it is public/industry accounting or something more finance-focused. The goal is to evaluate if the career field is the right choice for you and your future interest. It's not a bad idea to reach out to current professionals in the field for advice, shadow opportunities, and internship opportunities. Next, do research on which prep courses you are required to take to get into the major/minor at your college, and which would allow credits for the CPA.
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zach’s Answer
talk to someone who actually practices accounting. utilize your career resources and shadow professionals. A lot of people do not realize this but there is a lot of writing involved in auditing.
Denise’s Answer
James’s Answer
Being able to manage yourself and a team effectively is crucial to success in the public accounting field.
You will quickly find yourself mentoring new hires and then managing a team. In order to grow and advance you will need to either work endless hours, or effectively and efficiently work through your projects.
The latter is certainly more desirable and would recommend taking a class.