Accountant: How to Become

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How Do You Become an Accountant? Editorial

Pathway Steps 3
Typical Education Bachelor's degree

Step-by-Step Career Path

  1. 1

    Earn a bachelor's degree

    A bachelor's degree is typically needed for entry into this work.

  2. 2

    Begin work as an accountant

    Related occupational experience is not typically needed for entry. Start in an accountant role after completing your degree.

  3. 3

    Build work-related skills and experience

    As general preparation for this kind of work, people often develop accounting skills and experience over several years. On-the-job or vocational training can also be part of that preparation.

Entry Requirements

The path into accounting typically calls for a bachelor's degree, while prior related experience and training after hiring are not typically needed for entry. In practice, newcomers should plan to complete a bachelor's degree before entering the field; the listed entry pathway does not call for experience or additional post-employment training. This makes the education commitment the main preparation step identified for starting as an accountant.

Preparation Requirements

O*NET Data
A bachelor's degree is typically needed for entry as an accountant, while related experience and training after employment are not typically needed for entry. As general preparation context, accountants may build considerable work-related skill over several years, with on-the-job or vocational training also common across these occupations. In practice, this points to entering with a degree and developing job-specific skills through work; no overall preparation timeline is stated.
1

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

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