If you’re someone who’s number savvy, then being an accountant may be the best career path for you. However, becoming an accountant isn’t easy a job. You’re not just crunching numbers all day. You need to have an in-depth knowledge of finances and a sharp mind for critical thinking. In this article, we’ll be going over everything you need to know about becoming an accountant.
The Education You Need
Your career as an accountant begins by acquiring a bachelor’s degree in accounting. This is a four-year program and you can expect to courses geared towards financial management, the different types of economics and how taxes work. A BA in accounting can cost a lot of money, and depending on the position you’re looking to get, you might need to pursue a higher education. You can expect to pay somewhere between $45,000 to $60,000 for a BA and $50,000 to $80,000 for a master’s degree. Either way, these costs can really put both a mental and financial strain on you. The coursework isn’t easy and having to worry about paying back the tuition costs can only add to the stress.
Fortunately, there’s a way around these costs. Instead of having to take out a student loan, you can apply for a scholarship instead. Scholarships aren’t exclusive to people who have a fantastic academic background. These days, anyone can apply for scholarships for college students. It’s pretty simple too; most search and application platforms offer its applicants with personalized matching and filtering. This makes it very easy for aspiring accountants-to-be to find the right scholarship. However, something you need to keep in mind that not every scholarship will pay for the entire cost. It’s possible you’ll be eligible for one that pays about half of it.
The Right Skillset
As you explore your career options, no matter what position you apply for, you need to show that you’re capable of accomplishing the tasks given to you. Accountants require a lot of skills to do the job well. Here are the necessary skills needed to be a successful accountant:
- Proficient in the various accounting software
- Think quickly and critically
- Manage your time effectively
- Have prior experience in preparing financial statements
- Can effectively analyze data
- Efficiency in mathematics
There are many skills you need to learn before you can be an accountant. Something else we should mention is that your degree isn’t enough. You need to show past experience, which you can get through an internship.
There are Multiple Types of Accounting
Accounting isn’t just one thing; it can be one of many things. There are many types of accounting jobs you can choose to participate in. In fact, it’s best to think of them as specialties. Auditors are a type of accounting. Auditors are individuals who are legally allowed to view personal financial information of a client. This is done to make sure the person in question isn’t skipping out on their taxes and are following the law. Make sure to research each type of accounting beforehand, so you can have a general idea of what you want to do.
