Tips to Making it as an Accountant

So, you want to be an accountant. Are you wondering where to begin? Here are a few steps to take to making your successful career as an accountant. If you are already in an accounting program, you can skip to ‘The Tips’ section.

The Start of Your Accounting Journey

If you are interested in accounting, start by looking into the different fields of accounting and consider what path you want to take. Maybe you want to be a bookkeeper, you may not need a 4-year accounting degree (depending on the company), but it could help to have one. If you want to go the bookkeeper route, but don’t want to go through the process of getting a degree, then there are plenty of certificates available online. TGG University provides certificate courses and standalone classes that will give you the knowledge and experience you need to get started!

If you choose to get a 4-year accounting degree, there are a few more options. From tax to consulting, or private company versus a corporation. You don’t need to figure this out now, as it will take time. Once you gain more experience, the right path for you will become more transparent.

The Tips

- Get an internship: For both options, you should get into as many internships as you can, and as soon as you can. This is critical for getting your foot in the door. It can also help you decide what route you want to take within accounting.
- Join a club: If you are at a university (or community college), find the accounting clubs and join them. This will look great on a resume and it helps to create your network. You will likely have more access to available job opportunities in the area, and you will be able to connect with people at those companies more easily.
- Develop good communication skills: One recommendation that most would not consider is to actually take your writing and presentation classes seriously. Most people think that accountants are introverts and work in their cubicle alone all day. In reality, effective written, verbal, and presentation skills are essential to becoming a successful accountant. If you have a chance to take an extra class dealing with public speaking or writing, take it. Toast Masters courses are a great resource as well, and a lot of universities have them. There are also likely free groups in your neighborhood that have these classes.
- Take a class to sharpen your skills: School is important and that degree will stand you in good stead but skills in the “real world” are often different from those hypotheticals put forth in the hallowed halls of universities. Take a class: listen to podcasts, read journals and stay on top of what’s happening. Nerding-out on accounting updates, tax law revisions and the new structure of the Main Street Loan Facility in an interview is a great way to impress a potential employer.

Ready to grow and move forward in your accounting journey? Sign up for our certificate program today to begin your learning the foundations of accounting and grow in your basic accounting skills!