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This question is about accountant certifications.
What are the qualifications for accounting?
The qualifications for accounting include a bachelor's degree, specialty certifications, and required exams. While not mandatory, most accountants hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.
For individuals wishing to become a certified public accountant, a bachelor's degree is considered the minimum education requirement. Some states may require CPAs to also complete advanced coursework that may include classes in auditing, taxes and financial reporting.
Many CPAs choose to pursue a master's degree in accounting in addition to a bachelor's degree. Most accountants work in a specific field of accounting. For example, you may choose to work in corporate or public accounting, or you may select a subspecialty such as taxes or auditing.
Your specialty will likely be related to the degree you earned but can also be based on your own preferences and skills. Determining which career path you will pursue will give you a better understanding of what you will be required to have to actively practice in your specialty.
Accountants typically work within an organization as part of the staff and do not always require certifications or licensure. A CPA is required to have several requirements to practice accounting. These requirements include a bachelor's or master's degree, passing the CPA exam, and working under a licensed CPA for 1800 hours.
If you choose to pursue a career as a CPA, you will need to pass the CPA exam to practice. There are four parts of the CPA exam: Regulation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Business Environment and Concepts, and Audit and Attestation.
This test is offered during the first two months of each quarter and is typically completed over several days.
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