You don’t need a degree to reach your accounting career goals. If you have the right stuff work hard, and plan smart, you can still get into accounting and do well. This guide shows you how to become an accountant without a degree.
What’s good about becoming an accountant without a degree?
- Save Money: Skip the big college bills that come with a four-year degree.
- Save Time: Start working sooner without spending years in school.
- Get Real Skills: Learn by doing and begin making your resume look good earlier.
- Be Flexible: Use online classes and certificates that fit with your other stuff.
Accounting Jobs You Can Do Without a Degree
- Bookkeeper: Keep track of money and deals for small companies.
- Accounting Clerk: Help with money owed bills to pay, and other number crunching.
- Tax Preparer: Do tax forms for people and businesses.
- Payroll Specialist: Make sure everyone gets paid right and on time.
Can you take the CPA exam without a degree?
Most states want you to have a bachelor’s degree to take the CPA exam. But a few states give other options. Some states let you take the exam if you have certain accounting experience or have done specific courses. It’s smart to look up the exact rules for the state where you want to work.
Accounting Jobs for Non-Accounting Majors
- Financial Analyst: Put your number skills to work to check financial info and patterns.
- Budget Analyst: Assist companies to plan how they spend and manage their money.
- Auditor: Go through money records to make sure they’re right and follow the rules.
Accounting Certifications Without a Degree
- Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) from the American Payroll Association.
- Certified Tax Preparer from various accredited institutions.
What Does an Accountant Do?
Accountants prepare and check financial records. They make sure everything’s correct and taxes get paid on time. They also do audits, give money advice, and help with budgets and future planning.
Ways to Build Your Accounting Skills
You don’t always need a fancy degree to get good at accounting. Here are some other options you can think about to help you become an Accountant Without a Degree:
Online Classes and How-To’s
Lots of websites like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy have classes about money stuff and keeping track of it. These classes cover simple things like keeping books to harder things like looking at money . You can do them at your own speed so you can learn while doing other things too.
Community College Classes
A bunch of community colleges teach accounting classes that you can take by themselves, not as part of getting a degree. These classes let you learn from teachers who know their stuff and they’re often cheaper than classes at big universities.
On-the-Job Training
Some companies hire people without a formal accounting background for starter jobs like bookkeeping or office work in accounting teams. These jobs give you a chance to learn accounting software, rules, and methods by doing them, which can be super helpful.
Making Connections and Finding Mentors
Getting to know people who work in accounting can help you get advice, support, and maybe even job offers. Looking for an experienced accountant to guide you can give you a better idea of what the job is like and how to move up in your career.
Learning and Getting Ready for Tests
Even if you don’t have a degree, getting ready for accounting certifications like the ones we talked about earlier can show off what you know and how serious you are. To get better at this stuff and be ready for the tests, use study guides, team up with other people to study, and check out some online classes.
Volunteering and Internships
Helping out at non-profits or doing internships gives you hands-on experience and lets you use what you’ve learned in real situations. These jobs also make your resume look better and show that you’re eager to learn more about accounting.
By using these different ways to learn, you can build up some solid skills and make yourself more appealing as an accounting pro, no matter what kind of schooling you’ve had.
What Skills Do Accountants Have?
- Attention to Detail: Accountants need to be super careful and accurate.
- Analytical Skills: They should be able to understand and make sense of money stuff and trends.
- Organization: They have to handle lots of clients and tasks well.
- Communication: They need to explain tricky money things in a way that’s easy to get.
- Technical Know-How: They should know how to use accounting programs and tools.
What Qualifications Does an Accountant Need?
While a college degree is often liked, these things can also help you become an Accountant Without a Degree:
- Relevant certificates (like the ones we talked about earlier).
- Real-world experience from internships or starter jobs.
- Being good at using accounting software (like QuickBooks and Excel).
Ways to Move Up Without a Degree
Starting an accounting job without a normal degree doesn’t mean you can’t move up. Many people have climbed the job ladder through experience, getting certified, and always learning. Here are some ways to think about:
Professional Certifications
Getting certifications like Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) can help your resume and give you a shot at better jobs. These show you know your stuff and are serious about accounting.
Special Parts of Accounting
Specializing in specific areas of accounting can help you stand out from other accountants. If you focus on things like forensic accounting environmental accounting, or IT accounting, you might become a hot commodity in certain industries.
Boss and Management Jobs
Going for jobs that involve overseeing others can boost your career options. Roles like accounting manager, finance director, or CFO need good leadership and planning skills. If you get experience in these areas and do well in your current job, it can open doors to these opportunities.
Always Learning and Growing
Keeping up with the newest accounting trends and rules through workshops, seminars, and conferences is key. This ongoing learning helps you stay competitive and shows your commitment to your job.
Graduate Certificates and Diplomas
While you might not need a full bachelor’s degree getting a graduate certificate or diploma in a related area can give you extra qualifications. These programs often offer specific training that you can finish in less time.
Networking
Joining groups like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and local accounting clubs can help you meet more people in your field. This can lead to finding mentors, getting job tips, and working with others to boost your career.
If you use these chances to move up in your job, you can grow a lot in your work and do well in accounting even if you don’t have a regular degree.
How Much Money Does an Accountant Make?
Pay can change based on where you work how much you’ve done before, and what kind of job you have. On average:
- Entry-Level Bookkeepers make about $40,000 a year.
- Tax Preparers can take home $30,000 to $60,000 .
- Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) can pocket $70,000 to $100,000 or more each year.
Real-Life Examples
Sam’s Story
Sam got a business admin degree but always liked numbers. He taught himself and took online classes to learn accounting programs like QuickBooks. He scored a job doing taxes where his computer skills and business smarts came in handy. Now, Sam has a booming career in taxes always picking up new things and moving up in his field.
John’s Journey
John didn’t have a college degree but wanted to be an accountant. He used different online stuff, like free classes and YouTube videos, to learn about accounting. He did some freelance bookkeeping to get real-world experience. Then he passed the CPA test. Now John has his own business helping small companies with their taxes and money.
To wrap up
You can become an accountant without a degree without going to college, and it can be pretty cool. By using stuff online getting hands-on experience, and earning some certificates, you can have a good job in accounting. Want to start? Check out our courses we think are good and join other people learning on their own today!
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