Accountants Unite!
I have worked as a professional accountant since 1993. Since then I've learned bunch about the accounting field and I would like to share my knowledge with you. This should be especially helpful if you are a student or otherwise looking into going into the accounting field.
If you have not already done so, you may want to check out my Accounting Career Lens first.
If you find this lens useful, add it to your favorites or lensroll because you'll want to check back...I'll be adding information about accounting careers in the days to come.
Accounting Certifications you may want to earn...
Certification: not for the faint of heart
In a 2001 survey by Robert Half International, a financial management placement firm, 85% of the 1400 CFOs surveyed "believed that a professional certification...can boost career advancement opportunities."
Getting certified can boost your chances of getting the job you want, enhance your promotion potential, and increase your earnings.
It's not something to be taken on lightly, though. Most of these exams are really tough! (I studied for months before taking the CMA exam.) Many people invest in a review course to increase the likelihood of passing the first time. For many of these certifications, you will need to have a 4-year degree with several courses in accounting. In addition to, or instead of, certification you may want to consider obtaining a masters in business or accounting, or if you want to specialize in taxation, consider pursuing law school. For more information, check out my Accounting Education Lens.
Ready?
Here's the certification list:
Getting certified can boost your chances of getting the job you want, enhance your promotion potential, and increase your earnings.
It's not something to be taken on lightly, though. Most of these exams are really tough! (I studied for months before taking the CMA exam.) Many people invest in a review course to increase the likelihood of passing the first time. For many of these certifications, you will need to have a 4-year degree with several courses in accounting. In addition to, or instead of, certification you may want to consider obtaining a masters in business or accounting, or if you want to specialize in taxation, consider pursuing law school. For more information, check out my Accounting Education Lens.
Ready?
Here's the certification list:
- CPA: Certified Public Accountant
- Most people are familiar with the CPA, so it's worth considering just for the recognition. I decided not to go that route, but many do.
- CMA: Certified Management Accountant
- No other accounting or finance credential lends itself more directly to today's complex and changing business environment. This is what I have, and therefore it's the best. :)
- CFM: Certified Financial Manager
- The CFM credential provides professionals who are involved with corporate cash management, financing and investment decisions, and risk management with a means for further demonstrating an expanded skill set. The CFM exam provides an in-depth measure of competence in areas such as financial statement analysis, working capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management.
Note: testing for this program will not be available after December 31, 2007. - CIA: Certified Internal Auditor
- The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA®) designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field. Candidates leave the program enriched with educational experience, information, and business tools that can be applied immediately in any organization or business environment.
- CGFM: Certified Government Financial Manager
- The CGFM is the first certification broad enough to cover the whole field of government financial management - federal, state and local. It deals not with testing a person in a specific area, but with measuring a wide range of knowledge and skills that a professional needs to succeed in the federal government financial environment, or to meet the unique challenges faced by state and local government financial managers.
Review Courses on Amazon
Wiley CPA Exam Review 2010, Financial Accounting and Reporting (Wiley Cpa Examination Review Financial Accounting and Reporting)
Amazon Price: $37.12 (as of 12/01/2009) 
Wiley CPA Exam Review 2009: Financial Accounting and Reporting (Wiley Cpa Examination Review Financial Accounting and Reporting)
Amazon Price: $34.65 (as of 12/01/2009)
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- Carla-White Carla-White Oct 2, 2007 @ 5:27 am
- What a great lens. I gave it 5*. Check out my lens on home learning accounting courses.
by DarrelHawes
I have been employed in various accounting roles. My first accounting job was working for a printing company. I'm currently the Financial Manager for... (more)
