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Are you good with numbers? Want a salaried job? Or are you seeking a stable, rewarding career path? Then accounting might be the right and ideal position for you. Whether you want to become a public, personal or management accountant, this field offers fulfilling opportunities.
Simply put, as an accountant, your primary role will include keeping track of the company’s transactions, monitoring cash flow, preparing income statements, balancing financial sheets and maintaining financial records.
Regardless of the path or specialisation you choose, the field of accountancy comes with its own set of requirements. As long as you know the answer to questions like which sector you want to work in and what areas of accountancy best match your interests and preferences, the degree is ideal for you.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME AN ACCOUNTANT
It is safe to say that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to becoming an accountant; most people choose to become an accountant after a data science or business degree; and if you are one of them then this blog post is for you:
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
For beginners, the minimum and standard requirement to become an accountant is to get a bachelor’s degree in accounting. In doing so, you will be equipped with the required knowledge and in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of accountancy.
For instance, you will learn the concept of GAAP in accounting after studying courses like auditing, financial information systems, accounting or business fundamentals.
2. Qualifications Required to Become an Accountant
There are many qualifications and routes you can train as an accountant:
- One of the most popular and convenient routes and requirements to become an accountant is taking AAT qualifications. To take these qualifications, you do not require any entry requirement – previous experience, accounting skills or qualifications. These courses are a perfect balance of industry knowledge and practical skills which will not only help you to become a qualified accountant but also help you to become an AAT personal Accountant and provide self-employment services.
- You can choose Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualifications as well which primarily consist of 2 levels i.e. fundamental and professional. You can enrol on the qualification either independently or with a training program. Irrespective of the route you take, multiple career opportunities are associated with this qualification; you can work in renowned accounting firms, independently, or in the private or public sector.
Another qualification you can take to become an accountant is Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW). However, ACA takes three to five years to complete and you can gain the required experience through training with an employer concurrently with the ACA program.
While ACCA and ACA qualifications are considered higher education qualifications, AAT is a technician-level qualification. However, all these qualifications can help you become a qualified accountant.
3. Choosing between Accountant or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Roles
Both CPAs and accountants play important roles in the field.
However, CPAs have additional qualifications that allow them to perform a wider range of services, including audits and representing clients before the IRS.
This can lead to more complex work and potentially higher earning potential. Regular accountants can also work with multiple clients in accounting firms, though the scope of their responsibilities may vary.
Essential Skills Required to Become an Accountant
Contrary to popular belief, accountants do much more than just track transactions and cash flow. However, that is not entirely true, they play an essential role in shaping a company’s future by keeping an eye on past transactions and records, and then making an informed decision accordingly.Â
You need the following skills to become a successful accountant:
- Numeracy Skills: accountants, especially financial accountants, work closely with Therefore, they must have strong and in-depth knowledge of numerical operations. It is essential because even a small mistake can have a big impact on a business’s day-to-day operations.
- Attention to Detail: undoubtedly, precision and accuracy are paramount in accountancy. If you wish to pursue this career, being detail-oriented would be crucial to ensure all financial records of an organisation are error-free. A keen eye for detail ensures that all financial records are error-free, maintaining the integrity of an organization’s financial data.
- Communication Skill: On multiple occasions in your accounting career, you will have to explain complex financial figures either on a phone call or via email. Effective communication skills are crucial for accountants so that they can articulate technical terms and important knowledge to their colleagues and clients in a way they can understand and feel heard.
- Organisational Skills: Organisational skills are one of the crucial skills an accountant must have to keep track of documentation and paperwork. Their work often involves strict deadlines, requiring them to stay organized to meet time-sensitive tasks.
Though you need these basic skills to become an accountant, you might be wondering what your day-to-day activities would be as an accountant. Here is a hint: it’s more than just tracking and maintaining the financial records of an organisation.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Accountant
Depending on your position, your roles and responsibilities may differ. However, there are some responsibilities that an accountant must fulfil:
- Keep an eye on the past and present financial records of a company to make calculated decisions for the future,
- Prepare financial reports, conduct analysis  and recommend taking financial actions accordingly,
- Audits financial information and maintains records ensuring cash reserved is being utilised correctly.
- Advise on tax strategies and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
- Reconcile accounts and make sure each employee receives their salary on time.
Conclusion
Accounting is a stable and rewarding career path with clear requirements. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, but there are also technician-level qualifications you can consider. The most important qualities are strong math skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex financial information. If you enjoy working with numbers and have a knack for organization, then accounting could be a great fit for you.
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