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Best project accountant certifications
The best certifications for a project accountant are Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF).
Project accountant certifications demonstrate your competency as a project accountant to employers. However, not all project accountant certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best project accountant certifications. Obtaining a project accountant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for project accountants
| Rank | Project accountant certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA |
| 2 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 3 | Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF) | CDI |
| 4 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
| 5 | Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) | Association o... |
| 6 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 7 | Master Project Manager (MPM) | AAPM |
7 best project 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. 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)
4. 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
5. 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)
6. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- 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? Every 3 year(s)
7. Master Project Manager (MPM)
If you have 3+ years of Project Management Experience, you may apply for MPM™ Master Project Manager Board Certification.
- 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 project accountant?
The best project 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 project 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 project accountants?
The most in-demand project accountant certification is Certified Public Accountant based on all active job postings. Having this project accountant certification will give you access to more project accountant jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a project accountant career and salary?
The Certified Public Accountant certification will help you to secure a senior accountant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior accountant's average salary is $69,205 whereas project accountants make an average salary of $60,467.
The most common combination of project accountant certifications include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF).
Online courses for project accountants to earn certifications
1. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
2. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course
Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...
3. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
4. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction
Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...
5. Excel Accounting Problem
Learn How to Create an Accounting Worksheet Using Microsoft Excel from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...
6. Accounting basics, create financial statements easily
Discover, develop, practice your financial information and explore the world of accounting...
7. Principles of Financial Accounting
Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...
8. Financial Accounting: The Complete Introductory Crash Course
Learn the Basics of Financial Accounting: Financial Statements, Debits and Credits, The Accounting Cycle and More!...
9. Accounting 101 - The Principles Of Accounting
The Easiest Course In Accounting!...
10. Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass - Beginner to Advanced
Accounting, Bookkeeping Introduction, Accounting, Bookkeeping Entries, Accounting, Bookkeeping Adjustments & Reports...
11. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
12. Governmental Accounting 100
Fund accounting-governmental accounting-General Fund & government-wide activity transactions-modified accrual method...
13. Accounting 101: How to read an Accounting Balance Sheet
Accounting 101: Non-Accountants' Guide to Accounting. Learn Accounting. Get Paid More, and Get Promoted Faster!...
14. Accounting 101: Accounts Payable Best Practices For 2023
Avoid common mistakes and pitfalls when it comes to Accounts Payable. No more fraud, incorrect payments or voided checks...
15. Accounting, Bookkeeping & Financial Analysis (Accounting)
Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics. Accounting & Financial Analysis Concepts. Learn Accounting & Bookkeeping...
16. Xero Bookkeeping & Accounting, w/ Set-up & Reporting
From Set-up to Bookkeeping, Accounting, Reporting, & Financial Statements in Xero with a Certified Xero Advisor...
17. Introductory Financial Accounting
Learn the basics of Accounting including: the accounting cycle, inventory, depreciation, receivables, and more!...
18. Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training
Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!...
19. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets
Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...
20. Accounts Payable in SAP
Learn Accounts Payable sub-module of SAP FICO in this step-by-step training course. Become a successful SAP Consultant...