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This question is about accountant.
How to get experience in accounting
To get experience in accounting, you must get an education in accounting and find entry-level accounting roles. Here are the steps involved with getting experience in accounting:
Get an education in accounting. Many who want to get experience in accounting first must get an education in the field. For this, you can seek to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting and then a master's degree in accounting if you want to further your studies.
Most positions in the accounting world require a college education. However, you can obtain a few roles with a high school diploma.
Getting accounting experience without a college degree. To become an accountant without a degree, you must seek to become an auditing clerk, accounting assistant, accounting clerk, or bookkeeper.
Nearly all other accounting jobs require a bachelor's degree or the passing of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
You can not take the CPA exam in most states without a bachelor's degree. States that allow you to take the CPA exam without a bachelor's degree include the following:
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 can be taken in-person, online, or hybrid courses (a mix of in-person and online).
These programs help to 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 to higher-level accounting positions. Networking with other accountants is also quite advantageous.
Get an internship. An accounting internship is a great way to gain experience in accounting. Some internships in this field are paid, while others are unpaid. An internship has many benefits, including the following:
Honing your skills in accounting
Adding valuable experience to your resume so you can get entry-level jobs in accounting
Increasing your confidence in the field
You can find available internships by searching online in your local area.
Get a mentor. Having a mentor in accounting can be extremely helpful. This is someone who can teach you the ins and outs of professional accounting. You can find mentors through an internship or by utilizing networking opportunities in the accounting field.
Seek out entry-level roles that will build your accounting experience. Many entry-level accounting roles can help you gain professional experience in the field. Here are two common roles:
Bookkeeper. Bookkeepers keep financial records for businesses and individuals. They often record a small business's financial transactions, expenses, payroll activities, and other accounting-related functions.
Auditors. Auditors come after accountants have performed their financial record keeping. They examine documents and other information prepared by accountants to ensure they are giving an accurate picture of a company's financial situation.
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