How to Become an Accountant

Published on: June 2, 2025

Accounting is a profession that helps individuals, businesses and governments make informed financial decisions. From managing budgets to preparing taxes to ensuring regulatory compliance, accountants play a pivotal role in maintaining economic stability across all sectors. For those with strong analytical skills, attention to detail and an interest in financial systems, a career in accounting offers both stability and diverse opportunities for advancement. 

Explore the essential steps to becoming an accountant — including the necessary education, certifications, skill development and the range of career paths available. This guide also outlines various specializations within the field of accounting, helping aspiring professionals understand how to align their interests with a rewarding and impactful career.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants assume a central role in maintaining financial health and transparency. Their work extends beyond crunching numbers; they analyze financial data, ensure compliance with tax regulations and provide valuable insights that drive strategic decision-making.

Accountants are responsible for preparing, examining and maintaining financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and standards. Depending on their role, accountants may also conduct audits, manage payroll or file taxes. For instance, they might: 

• Record transactions.
• Reconcile bank statements.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable.
• Prepare reports such as income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements.

Beyond day-to-day bookkeeping, accountants often serve as strategic advisors. They help organizations budget, forecast future financial trends, assess risk and optimize financial performance. In corporate settings, accountants may specialize in managerial accounting, supporting internal operations or in financial accounting, focusing on external reporting. Others work in public accounting firms offering audit, tax and consulting services to a variety of clients.

Ultimately, accountants ensure that financial processes run smoothly and ethically — making them indispensable to informed decision-making and long-term business success.

Who Should Consider Becoming an Accountant?

Accounting can be a rewarding and stable career path for individuals who enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and contributing to the financial well-being of organizations. It appeals to those who are detail-oriented, analytical and motivated by precision and integrity.

People who thrive in structured environments and value consistency often find accounting to be a good fit. The profession requires strong organizational skills, as accountants frequently manage multiple tasks, deadlines and sets of financial data simultaneously. Individuals who are naturally meticulous and enjoy working behind the scenes to ensure everything adds up correctly may find the work particularly satisfying.

In addition, aspiring accountants should have a strong aptitude for math and critical thinking. They must be comfortable interpreting data, identifying trends and making informed recommendations based on financial information. Communication skills are equally important, as accountants often present their findings to clients, managers or stakeholders who may not have a financial background.

This career is especially well-suited to those interested in long-term job security, career advancement and professional development. Whether working in the private sector, public accounting, government or nonprofit organizations, accountants are consistently in demand. It is also a great option for career changers looking to enter a field with clear educational pathways, licensure opportunities and a wide range of specialties to explore.

If you’re a logical thinker with a passion for accuracy and a desire to make a meaningful impact on business success, accounting could be a fulfilling career choice.

Accounting Specializations and Fields

The accounting profession is rich with diverse accounting career paths, allowing professionals to pursue specializations that align closely with their personal interests, strengths and career ambitions. Each specialized area within accounting fulfills distinct and critical functions, supporting businesses, governments and individuals alike in making informed, strategic decisions. Here are some of the most common accounting specializations, each offering unique responsibilities and growth opportunities:

Tax Accounting

Tax accountants specialize in preparing and filing taxes for individuals, businesses and organizations. They are experts at navigating intricate tax codes — ensuring compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations and identifying opportunities for tax savings. Beyond filing returns, tax accountants engage in tax planning by advising clients on financial strategies to minimize liabilities, maximize refunds and stay current with ever-changing tax laws. They also represent clients in audits conducted by tax authorities and provide essential guidance on the tax implications of investments, retirement planning and business decisions.

Auditing

Auditors focus on verifying the accuracy, completeness and compliance of financial statements and accounting records. Professionals in this specialization may work externally in public accounting firms, auditing the financial reports of client businesses and organizations, or internally within corporations, ensuring that their company’s financial practices meet regulatory and ethical standards. Auditors help maintain transparency, uncover errors or discrepancies and identify areas for financial improvement and risk mitigation. They also assist organizations in strengthening internal controls and processes to protect against fraud and financial mismanagement.

Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting blends investigative prowess with detailed accounting knowledge to uncover financial wrongdoing and fraud. Specialists in this field assist in litigation support, criminal investigations and dispute resolution, often collaborating closely with legal teams, law enforcement agencies or private companies facing internal or external financial irregularities. They analyze financial records to identify suspicious activities, reconstruct financial transactions and provide expert testimony in court cases. Additionally, forensic accountants may help develop anti-fraud policies and perform compliance audits to proactively prevent financial misconduct.

Management Accounting

Management accountants provide critical financial information and strategic insights to organizational leaders to inform decision-making and drive business performance. Their roles include: 

• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cost analysis
• Profitability analysis
• Operational efficiency evaluations 

By interpreting financial data and market trends, they help management teams make informed choices about investments, product pricing, resource allocation and strategic planning. Management accountants often work closely with executives and department heads, translating complex financial data into actionable insights to guide organizational growth and financial health.

Government Accounting

Professionals specializing in government accounting work within federal, state or local government agencies, managing and overseeing public funds to ensure proper use, transparency and accountability. Their responsibilities include: 

• Preparing detailed financial reports
• Monitoring budgets and expenditures
• Auditing public programs 
• Ensuring compliance with governmental accounting standards and regulations

Government accountants play a key role in safeguarding taxpayer resources, improving financial management practices and helping policymakers make sound decisions that benefit public interests. They must possess a deep understanding of governmental accounting principles, regulatory compliance and the unique financial challenges faced by public institutions.

Environmental Accounting

Environmental accounting involves measuring, analyzing and reporting on the financial impacts of environmental and sustainability initiatives within organizations. Professionals in this emerging specialization help businesses quantify the economic benefits and risks associated with environmental responsibility and sustainability programs, assessing costs associated with: 

• Environmental compliance
• Conservation efforts
• Renewable energy adoption 
• Sustainable resource management

Environmental accountants are crucial in aligning corporate goals with ecological stewardship, enhancing brand reputation, ensuring regulatory compliance and guiding companies toward environmentally responsible growth. Their expertise helps organizations achieve a balance between profitability and long-term environmental sustainability.

Steps to Becoming an Accountant

The path to becoming an accountant involves a structured blend of education, hands-on experience and professional development. Each step in the journey to becoming an accountant builds on the previous one to equip aspiring accountants with the knowledge, credentials and skills needed to succeed in this dynamic field.

Step 1: Understand the Career Path

Before beginning your journey, research what accounting entails and identify your long-term goals. Accountants can work in public firms, private corporations, government agencies or nonprofit organizations, each with different responsibilities and expectations. Knowing where you want to specialize can help guide your academic and professional choices early on.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field (such as finance, economics or business) is typically the minimum educational requirement for entry-level roles. These programs cover essential topics like financial reporting, auditing, managerial accounting and taxation and may include software training for programs like QuickBooks or Excel.

Step 3: Gain Relevant Experience

Internships, part-time jobs or entry-level positions in accounting are integral steps in applying classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Practical experience not only builds technical proficiency but also strengthens soft skills like communication, organization and problem-solving — traits that are highly valued by employers.

Step 4: Consider Certification Options

Professional certifications can enhance your credentials, open doors to higher-paying roles and demonstrate your expertise to employers and clients. Popular certifications include:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – The most widely recognized accounting credential in the United States, ideal for those pursuing careers in auditing, taxation or public accounting.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – Focuses on financial management and strategy, suited for corporate accountants and finance professionals.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – Specialized for internal audit professionals working within organizations to evaluate risk and improve operations.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Though more finance-oriented, this credential is valuable for accountants involved in investment analysis and portfolio management.

Step 5: Meet Licensing Requirements

In addition to certifications, accountants — especially CPAs — must meet state-specific licensing requirements, which typically include passing the Uniform CPA Examination, completing a certain number of work experience hours and fulfilling continuing education obligations.

Step 6: Explore Career Opportunities

Once licensed and certified, accountants can pursue a variety of roles, from tax preparer and auditor to financial analyst or controller. Depending on your area of interest and specialization, job opportunities exist in: 

• Public accounting firms
• Multinational corporations
• Small businesses
• Nonprofits and government agencies

Step 7: Stay Current and Continue Learning

The accounting field is constantly evolving due to regulatory changes, technological advancements and shifting financial practices. Continuing education, professional development courses and industry association memberships help accountants remain competitive and compliant throughout their careers.

Start Your Future in Accounting at Park University

Ready to take the first step toward a successful and rewarding accounting career? At the undergraduate and graduate levels, Park University’s comprehensive accounting degrees and programs equip you with the knowledge, skills and real-world experience needed to thrive in today’s financial landscape. Whether you’re aiming for a role in public accounting, corporate finance or government service, our flexible, career-focused curriculum is designed to help you reach your goals.

Request more information about our accounting programs today and take the first step to become the financial expert businesses rely on.