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Best certified public accountant certifications
The best certifications for a certified public accountant are Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Certified public accountant certifications demonstrate your competency as a certified public accountant to employers. However, not all certified public accountant certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best certified public accountant certifications. Obtaining a certified public accountant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for certified public accountants
| Rank | Certified public accountant certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA |
| 2 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 3 | Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) | CGMA |
| 4 | Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF) | CDI |
| 5 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
| 6 | Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) | Association o... |
| 7 | Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 8 | Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) | American Red ... |
| 9 | Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) | NCCT |
| 10 | Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP |
10 best certified public accountant certifications
1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Public Accountant candidates must pass a national exam certifiying that they are eligible to be licensed in the state(s) of their choosing. Information about state licensing requirements is made available in the Licensed Occupation tool.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
3. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
The CGMA letters are worth having after your name. They stand for Chartered Global Management Accountant and they show employers that you mean business. The CGMA designation is the most widely held management accounting designation in the world. It boldly announces your commercial skills, strategic vision and transformational mindset. Employers, colleagues and stakeholders alike will recognize that you’ve got entrepreneurial and leadership acumen. That you’re in a pivotal position to analyze information, advise strategy and drive business success. And they’ll know all this just by looking at those four letters after your name.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
4. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)
The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global body for professional accountants with 219,000 members and 517,000 students in 179 countries. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1974 which commits it to acting in and upholding the public interest. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development. In addition to IFAC membership, ACCA is represented on key regional forums including the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), Accountancy Europe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and is a member of CCAB in the UK and Ireland. It undertakes wide-ranging capacity building work globally and has an extensive network of partnerships with other professional accountancy organizations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
7. Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA)
Forensic accountants are professionals who use a unique blend of education and experience to apply accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to uncover truth, form legal opinions, and assist in investigations. Forensic accountants may be involved in both litigation support (providing assistance on a given case, primarily related to the calculation or estimation of economic damages and related issues) and investigative accounting (looking into illegal activities).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
8. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
9. Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
10. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
The CFP certification process, administered by CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals in the U.S.who have been authorized to use the CFP certification mark have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a certified public accountant?
The best certified public accountant certification is Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this certified public accountant certification:
- To become a certified Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for certified public accountants?
The most in-demand certified public accountant certification is Certified Public Accountant based on all active job postings. Having this certified public accountant certification will give you access to more certified public accountant jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a certified public accountant career and salary?
The Chartered Global Management Accountant certification will help you to secure a chief finance officer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A chief finance officer's average salary is $136,080 whereas certified public accountants make an average salary of $76,693.
The most common combination of certified public accountant certifications include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Online courses for certified public accountants to earn certifications
1. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
2. Excel Accounting Problem
Learn How to Create an Accounting Worksheet Using Microsoft Excel from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...
3. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
4. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course
Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...
5. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
6. Principles of Financial Accounting
Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...
7. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
8. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction
Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...
9. Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass - Beginner to Advanced
Accounting, Bookkeeping Introduction, Accounting, Bookkeeping Entries, Accounting, Bookkeeping Adjustments & Reports...
10. Financial Accounting: The Complete Introductory Crash Course
Learn the Basics of Financial Accounting: Financial Statements, Debits and Credits, The Accounting Cycle and More!...
11. Awaken the Accountant in You Master the Accounting Basics
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12. Accounting basics, create financial statements easily
Discover, develop, practice your financial information and explore the world of accounting...
13. Financial Accounting - Closing Process
Conquering the Closing Process: A Thorough Exploration of the Final Step in Accounting...
14. Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book
Unlock Financial Accounting Mastery: Comprehensive Course for Students, Professionals, and Business Owners...
15. Accounting, Bookkeeping & Financial Analysis (Accounting)
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16. Bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online (Bookkeeping & accounting)
Bookkeeping & Accounting with Quick Books Online. Bookkeeping & Accounting is Easy. Bookkeeping & Quick Books software...
17. Accounting 101 - The Principles Of Accounting
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18. Xero Bookkeeping & Accounting, w/ Set-up & Reporting
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19. Accounting 101: How to read an Accounting Balance Sheet
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20. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles
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