# How to Get Started on a Career in Accounting (and How to Know if It’s Right for You) Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2022-12-13 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: How to Become a Professional Accountant: Steps to Success Meta Description: Learn how to kick-start your career in accountancy with a relevant degree, specialised certifications, and key traits for success in the industry. URL: https://financedigest.com/how-to-get-started-on-a-career-in-accounting-and-how-to-know-if-its-right-for-youhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/istock-1396022343-1736814729018-compressed.jpg) Accountancy is a noble profession, and one which is always in demand, so anyone seeking a secure and stable career path will find it an attractive proposition. So how can you begin your journey to becoming a professional accountant, and what will influence your suitability for this type of role? **Complete a relevant degree** You won’t make it far in the world of accounting if you [don’t have at least a degree-level education](https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-3-adults-dont-believe-school-education-prepared-them-for-adult-life.html "1 in 3 adults don’t believe school education prepared them for adult life") under your belt. Completing university studies in an accountancy-related topic will stand you in good stead, and also provide you with opportunities to participate in work [experience schemes at the same time](https://www.financedigest.com/how-real-time-data-innovation-is-driving-up-customer-experience-in-fintech.html "How real-time data innovation is driving up customer experience in fintech"). The majority of [interns in accounts departments will be students](https://www.financedigest.com/the-hidden-financial-woes-of-international-students-heading-for-the-uk.html "The Hidden Financial Woes of International Students Heading for the UK") or recent graduates, and this is a way of getting your foot in the door to further your career progress. **[Work out which accounting](https://www.financedigest.com/half-of-employees-aged-40-and-over-in-the-accounting-banking-and-finance-industries-think-they-will-have-to-work-longer-to-live-the-life-they-want.html "Half Of Employees Aged 40 And Over In The Accounting, Banking And Finance Industries Think They Will Have To Work Longer To Live The Life They Want") qualification makes most sense for you** After finishing your degree, you’ll typically start work in a junior role, receiving training and [gaining experience](https://www.financedigest.com/cherry-picker-crane-market-is-expected-to-experience-substantial-gains-with-projections-around-6-to-8-cagr-from-2021-to-2031.html "Cherry Picker Crane Market is expected to experience substantial gains, with projections around 6% to 8% CAGR from 2021 to 2031") on the job. This is necessary because you will eventually have to achieve professional certification to take your [career to the next](https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-10-workers-considering-a-career-change-in-the-next-year.html "1 in 10 workers considering a career change in the next year") stage. There are [different accounting certifications](https://cpaexamguy.com/best-accounting-certifications/) to aim for, so it’s sensible to weigh up your options and select just one focus on. For example, becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is one of the most commonly chosen paths. You could also choose to study towards certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Chartered [Global Management Accountant](https://www.financedigest.com/new-global-relationship-between-reckon-software-and-myfirmsapp-delivers-closer-interaction-between-accountants-and-their-clients.html "NEW GLOBAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RECKON SOFTWARE AND MYFIRMSAPP DELIVERS CLOSER INTERACTION BETWEEN ACCOUNTANTS AND THEIR CLIENTS") (CGMA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFA), and many other options besides. Opting to specialize in a narrower area of accounting might sound like something which will [close more doors than it opens](https://www.financedigest.com/andalucian-open-returns-to-costa-del-golf-as-golfers-go-in-search-of-the-perfect-pad-close-to-the-fairway.html "Andalucian Open returns to ‘Costa del Golf’ as golfers go in search of the perfect pad close to the fairway"), but the reality is that developing specific skills will make you more employable. **Establish whether or not you’re cut out for life as an accountant** There are a few things that will contribute [towards a successful](https://www.financedigest.com/the-journey-towards-a-digital-bank-five-major-stages-to-successful-banking-digitalisation.html "THE JOURNEY TOWARDS A DIGITAL BANK – FIVE MAJOR STAGES TO SUCCESSFUL BANKING DIGITALISATION") career in accounts, such as: **Strong teamwork & collaboration mentality** It’s rare for accountants to work alone; even if you go solo and advise individuals and businesses on their finances, you’ll still need to [communicate and collaborate](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2020/07/22/the-three-cs-cultivating-connection-communication-and-collaboration/) with others from day to day. As such you have to be a fan of teamwork and also be effective in collaborative environments. There’s not much room for lone wolves in this context. **Persistence & patience** A lot of accounting is about problem solving, and sometimes that involves tackling an issue over a protracted period to try and find a [way around](https://www.financedigest.com/5-time-efficient-ways-to-travel-around-the-philippines.html "5 Time-Efficient Ways to Travel Around the Philippines") it. People who are prone to giving up when the going gets tough simply won’t [stay the course](https://www.financedigest.com/dollar-rebounds-as-brainard-assures-markets-fed-will-stay-the-course.html "Dollar rebounds as Brainard assures markets Fed will stay the course") as accountants. You have to have grit and determination, and a nimble mind, to make progress. **Driven by integrity & ethics** While number-crunching might seem like something that has little to do with human emotions or societal standards, the opposite is true. Accountants must be bastions of professional integrity, and also understand the part they play in [keeping businesses](https://www.financedigest.com/how-business-leaders-can-adapt-or-replace-covid-related-perks-to-the-post-pandemic-world-while-keeping-employees-on-side.html "How business leaders can adapt or replace Covid related perks to the post-pandemic world while keeping employees on-side") ticking over from an ethical perspective. **Eminently well organized** [Accountants must operate](https://www.financedigest.com/theres-a-fine-line-between-relinquishing-control-and-accountability-financial-institutions-must-balance-both-to-successfully-cloudify-operations-and-meet-customer-expectations.html "There’s a fine line between relinquishing control and accountability. Financial institutions must balance both to successfully cloudify operations and meet customer expectations") with precision, or else it’s all too easy for things to spiral out of control. Organizational skills are a must for this reason, and that covers everything from [being good with time management](https://www.financedigest.com/time-management-a-crucial-tool-to-succeed-as-an-entrepreneur.html) to storing data logically. **The** [bottom line](https://www.financedigest.com/the-severe-impact-of-downtime-on-companies-bottom-lines.html "The severe impact of downtime on companies’ bottom lines") It would be foolish to think that accounting is right for everyone, but if you’ve got the temperament, the skills and the passion to see it through, then starting your training sooner rather than later will [set you on a course to career success](https://www.financedigest.com/acca-sets-out-magnificent-seven-attributes-vital-to-success-in-modern-business.html "ACCA Sets Out ‘Magnificent Seven’ Attributes Vital to Success in Modern Business"). --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---