So you want to be an accountant...
Congratulations! You have started on a path into a career that is challenging, exciting, and dynamic (and pays well...). Not only is accounting consistently one of the top growth professions each year per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but it also has more career paths and opportunities than you would imagine. Please look through the information below.
Career Paths
Being an accountant does not necessarily mean that you sit at a desk all day with a calculator and piles of paper. There are so many opportunities for different careers and it all begins with the fundamental base of knowledge that is accounting. Investopedia does a great job in this article breaking down the career paths. Also, please watch this video from the AICPA if you you'd like to see a few more interesting careers! (I always wanted to be an accountant for the FBI...)
CPA licensure in NJ
In NJ, CPAs are licensed by the NJ State Board of Accountancy. Each state has its own requirements and its own licensing body. In order to understand what steps you need to take to receive your CPA license in NJ, the NASBA (National Associations for the State Board of Accountancy) lists all the requirements out in great detail. The basics are an undergraduate degree (not necessarily accounting), 150 college credits (including specific accounting courses), passing all parts of the CPA exam, and a period of work experience.
Certifications
Many of you have heard of a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and that's certainly a popular accounting option. Many financial professionals earn the CPA credential because it proves that they have achieved a high level of financial competency, even if they don't practice accounting. However, have you ever heard of these accounting certifications? CMA, CIA, CFE, CPP, EA...and the list goes on. Another great video from the AICPA shows you a few more.
Professional Associations
There are professional associations for all the accounting career paths, but the more common ones are as follows:
AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
NJSCPA - NJ Society of Certified Public Accountants (join as a student to get discounts on CPA review courses)
IMA - Institute of Management Accountants