by Arjun Wadhwa

Created on: March 14, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

Becoming an accountant is not an easy task. You have to go through college and lots of exams before you can become a certified accountant. Different countries have different exams and criteria for selecting accountants. However the skills and the basic education accountants in all countries is similar.

First, you must get through high school with a decent average. In high school, select courses such as accounting, math, English, psychology, international business, etc. Make sure you take the best accounting courses, math courses and other business related courses. High school accounting is more of book keeping, but it will prepare you for your next step and provide you with the basics of accounting.

Most accountants do a bachelors of commerce/bachelors of business administration and finish the requirements to become an accountant. This will depend on the country you reside in and the accounting designation you want to pursue. Some colleges also offer bachelors of accounting, which is focused completely towards accounting. It is hard to change your career once you do a bachelors of accounting. This is why most people choose to do Bcom or BBA.

After you have finished your 4-5 year program at the University, you can start getting some experience. Most countries require accountants to go through accounting school and training to become accountant. You should look for jobs, which are accounting related and get accounting experience. You cannot write accounting exams if you do not have enough experience to become an accountant.

What accounting school you go to depends on your location and the designation. Chartered accountants need to work in a firm and get experience for their exam. Once you pass the exams, you are then officially an accountant. You must pass the accounting exam and get your accounting designation.

Many accountants take different paths to becoming an accountant. Management accountants usually get MBA from a good University and public accountants get experience through working at a public accounting firm.

Check your High school and college graduating requirements, and make sure you take courses required to write the accounting exam. There is a specific criteria for all accounting exams that you must meet.

Once you have had some experience and written your exam, it is time to look for an accounting job because you have officially become an accountant! Some accountants go into investment banking, some go into management, some go in public accounting and others open private firms.

Accountant is not just limited to accounting. Accountant is a highly coveted profession, which requires hard work and experience. Good luck on your path to becoming an accountant!

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