How to become an accountant without a degree

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

You must seek to become an auditing clerk, accounting assistant, accounting clerk, or bookkeeper in order to become an accountant without a degree. Nearly all other accounting jobs require a bachelor's degree or the passing of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

In addition, you can not take the CPA exam without a bachelor's degree in most states.

States that allow you to take the CPA exam without a bachelor's degree include:

Alaska
Georgia
Maine
Massachusetts

To become an accountant with a degree, take stock of what you already know about math and accounting concepts. Brush up and hone your math skills as they relate to accounting.

Next, you can enroll in an accounting certification course. These programs exist online and in person and prepare you for certification exams you have to pass.

You can also volunteer to gain experience in accounting. Taking a low-level position, such as a bookkeeper for a local business or small non-profit, is an invaluable step along the way to higher-level accounting positions.