How to Become an Accountant and Progress in Your Career

Entry Requirements to Become an Accountant

Most entry-level accountant roles in the U.S. require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related business field. Associate degrees in accounting may qualify you for entry-level clerk roles, but a bachelor’s is standard for full accountant titles.

If you plan to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, the most widely recognized certification in the field, you will need to complete 150 credit hours of post-secondary education, 30 hours more than a standard 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many colleges offer combined bachelor’s and master’s in accounting programs to meet this requirement efficiently.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related business field
• 150 post-secondary credit hours for CPA eligibility
• 1-2 years of supervised accounting experience for formal certification
• Passing score on the 4-part CPA exam for certified roles

Entry-Level Role Options for New Accountants

Once you meet basic education requirements, you can apply for entry-level roles to build professional experience. Most new accountants choose one of three core tracks: public accounting, corporate accounting, or government/nonprofit accounting.

Public accounting roles at firms involve working with multiple external clients on tax preparation, auditing, or advisory services. Corporate accounting roles work in-house for a single company, handling accounts payable/receivable, payroll, or internal financial reporting. Government and nonprofit accounting follows specialized fund accounting rules to meet regulatory requirements for public funds.

Most entry-level roles require 0-2 years of experience, and many firms offer structured training programs to help staff prepare for the CPA exam while working.

Mid-Career Advancement Milestones for Accountants

After 2-5 years of experience and earning your CPA or other relevant certification (such as CMA for management accounting, CIA for internal auditing, or EA for tax specialization), you will qualify for senior accountant roles.

Key milestones for mid-career advancement include:

• Leading small client engagements or internal accounting projects
• Developing expertise in a niche area such as SaaS accounting, international tax, or forensic accounting
• Supervising entry-level staff and new hires
• Presenting financial reports to department leadership or external stakeholders

Mid-career accountants can also specialize to command higher salaries and access more targeted promotion opportunities. For example, tax specialists may advance to tax manager roles, while auditors may move to senior audit or internal audit manager positions.

Senior & Executive Accounting Career Paths

With 5+ years of experience, accountants can move into senior leadership roles. The exact path depends on your specialty and industry.

In public accounting, the typical promotion path goes from senior accountant to manager, then senior manager, then partner at the firm. Partners are responsible for client relationship management, new business development, and firm strategic decisions.

In corporate accounting, senior accountants can advance to accounting manager, controller, director of finance, then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company. CFOs oversee all financial operations of the organization, including financial planning, risk management, and investor relations.

Some experienced accountants also choose to open their own independent accounting firms, offering tax preparation, bookkeeping, and advisory services to small businesses and individual clients.