How to Become an Accountant

Accounting professionals with the right education and skills are in demand across the country. More than 60% of finance and accounting leaders say they’re facing challenges filling accounting roles, according to Robert Half’s 2025 report on the demand for skilled talent. And unemployment among accounting professionals is at a near-historic low, hovering between just 1% and 2%. 

With many open positions and not enough accountants to fill them, now may be an ideal time for individuals to begin training to become an accountant.

To succeed as an accountant requires expertise in taxation, analytics, financial and managerial accounting, and auditing. A Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree program provides the education and foundation that employers in the field value.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants ensure that the finances of businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals are secure and comply with all laws and regulations. They also work to ensure that the financial operations of their employer or clients are well managed, and look for opportunities where they can cut costs while improving revenues.

These business professionals prepare and examine financial records, investigate accounting systems for efficiency and fraud risk, and make certain that taxes are properly assessed and paid on schedule.

Career Outlook for Accountants

Accountants and auditors had a median annual salary of $81,680 in 2024, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Between 2024 and 2034, the BLS projects that positions for accountants and auditors will increase by 5%, faster than the job market as a whole.

Requirements for Becoming an Accountant

Accounting roles include public accountant, management accountant, and government accountant. Some accountants specialize in a certain field, such as taxation or forensic accounting. 

While accountants’ career paths differ based on their specific position, all accountants are expected to meet some general requirements to qualify for their role, including the following.

Education and Experience

To become an accountant, candidates need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field such as taxation or business. However, some employers prefer to hire accountants with a graduate degree. For some individuals, experience in an entry-level position, such as a bookkeeping role, can help them demonstrate their expertise to employers. 

Credentials and Certifications

Any accountant who files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must be licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA). Obtaining a CPA credential can increase an individual’s career opportunities and enhance their qualifications for advancement. For instance, candidates hoping to reach the role of controller, the senior financial professional managing an organization’s accounting records and a top accounting firm job, will generally find that a CPA is a requirement.

When candidates become CPAs, they are licensed by their state board of accountancy to practice. This license demonstrates they have a high level of competence in essential accounting areas such as taxation, auditing, and financial strategy.

Requirements for a CPA license vary by state. Typically, candidates must: 

• Complete 150 college credit hours.
• Have one to two years of public accounting experience.
• Pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA Exam).
• Apply for a CPA license.

The CPA Exam consists of multiple-choice and task-based simulation questions divided into four parts. 

The core three parts that all candidates must take are: 

• Auditing and Attestation
• Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Taxation and Regulation

Candidates can then choose from three options for their fourth part, which are:

• Business Analysis and Reporting
• Information Systems and Controls
• Tax Compliance and Planning

While a CPA is one of the most common and highly regarded credentials in accounting, there are also other certifications that can help accountants move into advanced roles. Certified management accountants (CMAs), for instance, are certified by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). This certification demonstrates the knowledge to assist senior management in establishing financial strategies. To become a CMA, candidates must have:

• Joined IMA as a member and enrolled in the CMA program
• Taken the two-part CMA exam covering financial planning and financial management
• Completed two continuous years of work in management accounting within the past seven years or within seven years of passing the examinations
• Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or an accepted alternative certification within the past seven years or within seven years of passing the exams

Another option is the certified forensic accountant (CRFAC) credential. Forensic accountants analyze financial records for evidence of financial crimes. To become a CRFAC, certified by the American Board of Forensic Accountants (ABFA), a candidate must:

• Currently hold a CPA license or international equivalent
• Be registered with their state board of accountancy
• Hold at least a bachelor’s degree
• Have two years of accounting or auditing experience
• Have no felony convictions

Necessary Skills

Accountants are required to have skills in areas that include the following:

• Advanced mathematics: Accountants deal with large amounts of numerical information and should have experience in advanced mathematics disciplines such as calculus and statistics.
• Analysis: Accountants must be able to evaluate reports and figures and identify discrepancies.
• Critical thinking: Once they identify discrepancies, accountants must be able to determine their effects and find solutions.
• Organization: As they have to report and review many financial records, accountants must be highly organized and able to ensure the records are well maintained.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

In some cases, accountants may only need a bachelor’s degree to begin working in the field, which typically takes about four years to earn. However, many employers prefer that accountants have an advanced degree such as a master’s in accounting or taxation. 

Master’s program lengths can vary, with most full-time programs taking two years or less to complete. Some accelerated programs offer the option to graduate in as little as eight months.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA?

Becoming a CPA requires 150 hours of college coursework, while a standard four-year bachelor’s in accounting program includes just 120 hours. Some universities offer a five-year degree program that combines a bachelor’s and a master’s degree to meet the requirement.

An accelerated master’s program also can fulfill the CPA hours requirement for those who hold a bachelor’s degree. Bryant University’s Master of Science in Accounting program satisfies the 150-hour requirement while offering students classes and guidance to help them prepare for the CPA Exam.

Prepare for an Accounting Career With Bryant University

Becoming an accountant of any type requires at least a bachelor’s in the field, and becoming a certified public accountant requires postgraduate training beyond a four-year degree program.

Bryant University’s Master of Science in Accounting program enables individuals with a bachelor’s degree in accounting to fulfill the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure. Bryant’s program is aligned with the latest CPA Exam requirements and current professional standards in accounting and taxation. 

Accountants interested in specializing in taxation can consider Bryant’s Master of Science in Taxation Online program. Like the MSA program, it enables students to satisfy the 150 hours required for a CPA license.

Bryant University’s focus on student success has led to CPA Exam pass rates well above the national average, as well as a particularly high rate of placements at the Big Four accounting firms following graduation.

Find out how Bryant University can help you realize your goals of a career in accountancy.