There is a greater need for accounting positions in the digital era. An accounting certification can boost your salary and open up more career opportunities for those working in the financial sector. Looking at some of the most well-known certifications might help you find the right one if you're thinking about getting certified.
This article explains why you should get one of the eight most popular accounting certificates, how to do so, and what you'll gain by doing so.
The Top seven accounting certifications
In 2022, the top ten accounting certifications that you can earn without a college diploma are listed below.
AAT qualification
AAT is the UK's main professional association for accountancy and financial degrees based on skills. Because the course offers you the practical skills and information necessary for a successful career in accountancy and finance, the AAT certificates are recognised worldwide and highly attractive to employers. All three levels of this accounting certification include three qualifications. An Accounting Foundation Certificate, an Accounting Advanced Diploma, and an Accounting Professional Diploma.
In terms of the qualifications and credit structure, each AAT qualification has an equivalent. The Foundation Certificate in Accounting is similar to GCSE level study and has no formal entrance criteria; nonetheless, you must be 19 years old to enrol.
Find out how to do it. AAT qualification will cover the fundamentals of bookkeeping, accounting software, and costing. You'll have to study for five units and take five tests. You may become an AAT licenced member and establish your bookkeeping or accounting practice after learning AAT.
You can also apply for accounts administrator, accounts assistant, and accounts payable clerk.
ACCA Accounting certifications
ACCA qualification is a worldwide recognised accounting credential. The ACCA covers reporting, auditing, taxation, leadership, financial management, and ethics. It is divided into two levels: Fundamentals and Professionals, with 13 tests.
Anyone with a high school diploma meets the qualifying requirements. The ACCA will provide courses comparable to university education as part of its curriculum. This accounting qualification will set you back roughly £2,000 and take you three years to achieve. There are so many tests in the ACCA that the pass percentage varies; however it ranges from 30% to 80%, depending on the exam.
On the other hand, this accounting certification takes longer than the CMA curriculum. However, ACCA is the ideal option to become a Chartered Accountant. Furthermore, the ACCA accreditation provides an advantage if you work in a more well-known nation where chartered accountants are.
Accounting Certification as a CMA
You can get better and higher-paying employment with a CMA degree. The accounting certification delves further into financial accounting and incorporates strategic management features. CMA teaches the fundamental elements that influence a company's financials and the strategic business decisions you may make based on them.
However, you must complete certain standards, including schooling, to become a CMA. You must have at least one of two educational statuses:
- Obtain a Bachelor's degree from an authorised institution or university in any field.
- Have an accreditation from a professional organisation.
You can take the exam even if you haven't finished your degree, but you should. It is because, once you've finished, you'll need to produce proof. If you are a learner, you must take the CMA test to enrol in at least six credits every semester throughout the academic year. According to the Institute for Management Accountants (IMA), students can take the CMA test before finishing their degree. However, you must transmit proof of your degree to the Institute of Certified Management Accountants within seven years of taking the CMA test (ICMA).
The cost of a CMA varies based on whether you are a professional or a student and if you are purchasing extra study materials. The success percentage for the CMA test is between 40 and 50 per cent.
Accounting Certification as a CPA
Obtaining a CPA without an accounting degree will be significantly more difficult than getting a CMA. On the other hand, the CPA is one of the "must-have" certificates for an accounting job. The subjects covered in the curriculum are financial accounting and reporting, auditing, business environment and principles, regulation, and attestation.
You will need to satisfy some educational prerequisites, for which you will need to put in extra work. The three Es explain it. Education, exams, and experience are the three pillars of a successful career. You'll need a minimum of accounting credit hours and related experience to take the CPA test. Non-accounting majors may find it difficult to obtain the requisite experience. Most states demand 150 college credits, which is more than a bachelor's degree's 120 credits.
The CPA exam comprises four components, each of which is assessed individually. Depending on your study programme and jurisdiction, completing the program will cost you between $1,000 and $3,000. The pass percentage for the CPA test is usually around 50%.
CAIA Accounting Certification
The CAIA is a financial qualification that focuses on alternative investing. Private equity, risk management, asset allocation, hedge funds, ethics, structured products, commodities, and real assets are all covered by CAIA. Individuals interested in working in the asset management and hedge fund industries should pursue this top accounting qualification.
Despite being less versatile than other accounting qualifications, the CAIA is useful if you work in finance, notably if you handle alternative investments such as real estate. You do not need school or job experience to take the CAIA test. Still, you will not acquire the certification until you have completed your bachelor's degree or one year of work experience. Alternatively, you may have four years of job experience but no college diploma.
CFA Accounting Certification
The CFA designation is a widely recognised and sought-after financial certificate. Despite its thorough nature, the CFA exam has a low pass rate, possibly due to the vast amount of information covered. Companies hiring financial analysts are frequently used as a filtering technique.
This accounting qualification focuses on portfolio management and investment analysis. Financial reporting and analysis, fixed income, quantitative techniques, alternative investments, equities, economics, derivatives, and ethics are covered.
The three curriculum levels should take around four years to finish and cost between $4,000 and $5,000. It depends on whether you need to retake examinations and how far ahead of time you enrol. Each exam has a pass percentage ranging from 30% to 50%. As a result, the overall pass rate for the program is roughly 20%.
CGMA Accounting Certification
The AICPA and CIMA collaborated to create the CGMA certificate. It's a globally recognised accounting credential covering reporting, financial and management accounting, and strategy.
The CGMA qualification has three levels, each with three courses and tests. In addition, at the end of each group, you must pass a case study exam. There are a total of 12 CGMA examinations. The required AICPA membership is in this. The accreditation should take three to four years to complete, costing $3,000 to $5,000.
Is it possible to work as an accountant without any qualifications?
To begin with, accountants manage money, so you'll need to be quite excellent with numbers if you want to acquire this profession. Procurement, budgeting, salary, and financial reporting will be on your plate. You might also do a financial audit.
Good numeracy skills and solid analytical abilities are required whether you work in financial, tax, or management accounting. You must also be trustworthy and meticulous.
Is an accounting degree required to work as an accountant?
First, you do not need to complete a four-year accounting degree to work as an accountant. It is why: Accounting is a more hands-on profession, and you may easily study on the job to have a thorough grounding in the field. Accounting certificates can provide you with the necessary training for the job.
However, you may begin your career as an accounting clerk or a junior financial accountant, preparing journal entries for each reporting cycle. In this manner, you'll learn the fundamental abilities you'll need to advance in accounting.
Conclusion
The CPA licence is the most respected and flexible. Yet, it is extremely difficult to qualify for the CPA test without an accounting degree until you return to college and gain a master's degree in accounting, which makes getting your CPA accounting certification easier.
Professional accounting qualifications or a Master's in Accounting are increasingly required for entry into the accounting industry, even for those who studied a different course of study for their degree. Another option is to obtain a CMA accounting certification. You'll need to learn hard for the two components of the test, have two years of relevant experience, and be prepared for this.