Becoming an accountant typically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and if you want to earn the most recognized credential in the field (the CPA license), you’ll need 150 college credit hours and to pass a four-part exam. The full path from freshman year to licensed professional takes most people five to six years, but you can start working in accounting roles with just a four-year degree while you finish the remaining requirements.
Start With the Right Degree
A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the standard entry point. Most employers expect at least this, and it qualifies you for junior-level positions like staff accountant, bookkeeper, or accounts payable specialist. Your degree program should include at least 24 semester hours of accounting coursework, with a significant portion at the upper-division level.
If you plan to pursue CPA licensure, you’ll need a total of 150 semester hours of education, which is 30 hours more than a typical bachelor’s degree. Most people bridge the gap by earning a master’s degree in accounting or an MBA with an accounting concentration, though some universities offer five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s programs designed specifically for this purpose. You can also accumulate the extra hours through additional undergraduate courses or certificate programs.
Related degrees like finance or business administration can get you into some accounting jobs, but they may not satisfy the specific coursework requirements for CPA eligibility. If you’re considering a non-accounting major, check whether your state’s board of accountancy will accept your credits before committing to that path.
Choosing a Certification
You don’t need a certification to work as an accountant, but earning one significantly increases your earning potential and opens doors to senior roles. The certification you choose depends on the type of accounting work you want to do.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
The CPA is the most widely recognized accounting credential and is required for anyone who wants to sign audit reports, prepare reviewed financial statements, or represent clients before the IRS in certain situations. To earn it, you must meet three requirements: education (the 150 credit hours discussed above), examination, and supervised work experience, which typically means one to two years working under a licensed CPA.
The CPA Exam itself consists of three core sections and one discipline section of your choice. The core sections are Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG). Each is a four-hour test. For your discipline section, you pick one of three options: Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Control, or Tax Compliance and Planning. You need a minimum score of 75 on each section to pass. Most candidates spread the exam across 12 to 18 months while working full time.
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
If you’re more interested in corporate finance than public accounting, the CMA certification is tailored for roles inside companies rather than at accounting firms. It focuses on financial planning, analysis, and strategic management. CMA holders commonly work as corporate controllers, financial analysts, cost accountants, and risk managers. The certification requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of management accounting experience, and passing a two-part exam.
Enrolled Agent (EA)
Enrolled agents specialize in tax. The EA designation is granted by the IRS and authorizes you to represent taxpayers in audits, collections, and appeals. It doesn’t require a specific degree, just passing a three-part IRS exam. This is a good option if you want to focus exclusively on tax preparation and planning without completing the full CPA track.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
The CIA credential is designed for accountants who want to work in internal audit, evaluating a company’s financial controls, compliance, and risk management from the inside. It requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of internal audit experience, and passing a three-part exam.
Gaining Work Experience
Most states require one to two years of supervised professional experience before granting a CPA license, and even non-CPA accounting roles expect some practical background. Internships during college are the most common way to get started. Large public accounting firms recruit heavily from university campuses, and a single busy-season internship (January through April) often leads to a full-time job offer.
Your first role will likely be as a staff accountant or associate at a public accounting firm, a corporate accounting department, or a government agency. Public accounting firms offer the broadest early experience because you work across multiple clients and industries. Corporate accounting departments tend to offer more predictable hours and let you specialize sooner. Government roles, including positions with the IRS or state agencies, offer strong benefits and steady schedules.
Don’t overlook smaller firms. While the Big Four firms are the most well-known employers, mid-size and regional firms often provide more hands-on responsibility earlier in your career and still satisfy the supervised experience requirements for CPA licensure.
What Accountants Earn
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $141,420. Where you fall in that range depends on your certification, specialization, experience level, and employer type.
Specializing and earning certifications pushes your salary higher. Corporate controllers average around $143,860, risk managers around $103,700, and financial analysts roughly $88,100. At the top of the ladder, chief financial officers average $261,533. These roles typically require a CPA or CMA plus several years of progressive experience.
The job market for accountants is healthy. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. About 124,200 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year over the decade, driven by retirements, business growth, and evolving tax and regulatory requirements.
A Typical Timeline
Here’s what the path looks like laid out year by year:
- Years 1 through 4: Complete your bachelor’s degree in accounting, including internships during summers or busy season. You can start working as a staff accountant after graduation.
- Year 5: Finish your 150 credit hours through a master’s program, extra coursework, or a fifth-year certificate program. Begin sitting for the CPA Exam (or start earlier if your state allows candidates to test before completing all 150 hours).
- Years 5 through 6: Complete the remaining CPA Exam sections while working full time. Accumulate the required supervised experience.
- Year 6 or 7: Apply for your CPA license once all education, exam, and experience requirements are met.
If you’re pursuing a non-CPA path, the timeline is shorter. You can work as a staff accountant with just a bachelor’s degree, and the EA exam has no degree requirement at all. The CMA requires a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience but doesn’t have the 150-hour rule.
Skills That Set You Apart
Technical knowledge gets you in the door, but a few additional skills accelerate your career. Proficiency in Excel is non-negotiable for entry-level roles, and familiarity with accounting software like QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle gives you a practical edge. Data analysis tools, including SQL and visualization platforms like Tableau or Power BI, are increasingly valued as companies expect accountants to do more than record transactions.
Communication matters more than most aspiring accountants expect. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time explaining financial information to people who aren’t accountants: managers, clients, regulators, or executives. The ability to translate numbers into clear business insights is what separates senior accountants from those who stay in entry-level roles. If your program offers accounting communication courses, take them seriously.