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Best public accountant certifications
The best certifications for a public accountant are Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).
Public accountant certifications demonstrate your competency as a public accountant to employers. However, not all public accountant certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best public accountant certifications. Obtaining a public accountant certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
3 best certifications for public accountants
| Rank | Public accountant certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA |
| 2 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 3 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
3 best 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. 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
What is the best certification for a public accountant?
The best 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 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 certifications can impact a public accountant career and salary?
The Certified Public Accountant certification will help you to secure a accounting manager position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A accounting manager's average salary is $79,049 whereas public accountants make an average salary of $58,843.
The most common combination of public accountant certifications include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).
Online courses for 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. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
3. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
4. Excel Accounting Problem
Learn How to Create an Accounting Worksheet Using Microsoft Excel from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...
5. Principles of Financial Accounting
Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...
6. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course
Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...
7. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction
Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...
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 basics, create financial statements easily
Discover, develop, practice your financial information and explore the world of accounting...
10. Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass - Beginner to Advanced
Accounting, Bookkeeping Introduction, Accounting, Bookkeeping Entries, Accounting, Bookkeeping Adjustments & Reports...
11. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
12. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles
In this course, we learn how public accountants plan and execute an audit...
13. Accounting, Bookkeeping & Financial Analysis (Accounting)
Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics. Accounting & Financial Analysis Concepts. Learn Accounting & Bookkeeping...
14. 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!...
15. Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book
Unlock Financial Accounting Mastery: Comprehensive Course for Students, Professionals, and Business Owners...
16. Awaken the Accountant in You Master the Accounting Basics
Learn Accounting to Boost your career, pass an exam, be a screwed entrepreneur!...
17. Financial Accounting - Closing Process
Conquering the Closing Process: A Thorough Exploration of the Final Step in Accounting...
18. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets
Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...
19. Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training
Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!...
20. Governmental Accounting 100
Fund accounting-governmental accounting-General Fund & government-wide activity transactions-modified accrual method...