There are numerous different roles that accountants can take on, both in the public and private sector. Because of this, there are many routes to becoming an accountant without a degree. This role is not one which requires experience or qualification, but there are certain steps you will need to follow in order to begin working as an accountant.
In today’s ever more competitive job market, lots of people are looking for alternative routes to a full-time job. One such route for many is learning to be an accountant because of the financial control and power it can bring. However, becoming an accountant without a degree is not easy, but it is achievable if you are willing to put in the hard work and effort.
How To Become An Accountant Without A Degree
An accountant is a trusted professional who manages the bookkeeping for a business to ensure it is running smoothly. Many companies depend on accountants to keep their finances in working order, so they play a vital role in a business since finance is an essential part of a company’s growth. Learning what an accountant’s duties are and determining what certifications you need to become one helps you on your path to becoming an accountant, even if you do not have a degree. In this article, we discuss how to become an accountant using certifications and experience.
Read more: What Is Accounting?
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What are the benefits of becoming an accountant without a degree?
Here are a few potential benefits of becoming an accountant without a degree:
- Lowers cost of student debt: Deciding against a college degree can save you money and ease future student loan debt.
- Gives you more time to gain professional certification and experience: While others complete their degree, you can focus on earning certifications and gaining experience in accounting departments.
- Allows flexibility in your learning: Most degree programs have rigidly structured courses so that you learn accounting concepts on a full-time or part-time schedule. A benefit of learning accounting outside of college, whether you are teaching yourself or if you are studying a course for a certification exam, is that you can learn at your own pace.
Related: How To Succeed Without College
Accounting jobs that don’t require a degree
If you don’t have a degree, or if you have a degree in a field other than accounting, here is a list of jobs that you qualify for:
1. Auditing clerk
National average salary: $30,098 per year
Primary duties: Auditing clerks check and maintain the accuracy of all financial records for a business, and they often verify the information found in financial documents.
2. Accounting assistant
National average salary: $34,382 per year
Primary duties: Accounting assistants handle basic financial duties, including prepping financial records, conducting office administrative tasks and handling transactions.
3. Accounting clerk
National average salary: $34,653 per year
Primary duties: Accounting clerks fill various roles within an accounting department, including administrative tasks like filing and contacting customers about invoices, or they may handle accounting responsibilities like handling accounts and maintaining financial records.
4. Bookkeeper
National average salary: $38,106 per year
Primary duties: Bookkeepers record transactions, track customer accounts, manage fiscal records and create banking statements, and they often use bookkeeping software like QuickBooks, Xero and Safe 50cloud.
Can you take the CPA exam without a degree?
In most states, you cannot take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam without a bachelor’s degree. However, there are a few states that allow you to take the CPA exam without a degree, those states include Hawaii, Maine, Alaska, Massachusetts and Georgia.
Accounting jobs for non-accounting majors
You can become an accountant even if you have a degree in a different field from accounting. Individuals with knowledge of bookkeeping or skilled in mathematics have the potential to qualify for an accounting job. Along with a degree, you also need a certification in accounting. Here is a list of majors that qualify for accounting jobs:
Business administration degree
A business administration degree gives you the chance to study all parts of a company, including the financial department. You may use this degree to understand how accounting connects with other aspects of the company, like payroll, sales or budgeting.
Computer science degree
A computer science degree gives you understanding of the technology field, which is beneficial since, as an accountant, you work with several software programs to store and maintain financial data.
Education degree (mathematics focus)
A degree in education can help you as an accountant because you familiarize yourself with mathematical concepts that accountants use, like algebra, calculus and statistics. This degree may also teach you successful leadership skills that you can use for career advancement in accounting.
Accounting certifications without a degree
The National Bookkeepers Association offers various accounting certifications that do not require a degree, and you can enroll and complete the following certification exams online, including:
- Bookkeeper certification: This certification allows you to validate and show your bookkeeping skills. There is a bookkeeping course that you must complete before taking the exam that focuses on teaching people with no prior knowledge the basics of bookkeeping.
- Accounting certification: This certification gives you an understanding of the fundamentals of accounting, including accounts payable, inventory, financial statements and reporting standards. The prerequisite for this certification includes a course on accounting principles.
- Accounting analysis certification: This certification focuses on the business aspect of accounting, concentrating on how to generate and analyze accounting information. You must first complete the accounting analysis course offered by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).
- QuickBooks certification: This involves training and familiarizing yourself with the accounting software, QuickBooks, which is a software that is most commonly used among accounting agencies. The prerequisite for this certification involves completing a fundamental course on QuickBooks.
How to become an accountant without a degree
Use the following steps as a guide to become an accountant without a degree:
1. Make a list of what you already know
Depending on your mathematical skills and courses you took in high school, you may already have a basic understanding of accounting concepts. Take some time to make a list of what you understand that relates to accounting so that you know where to start your learning.
2. Enroll in an accounting certification course
Whether you have a degree, it is important to have a certification in accounting to further your knowledge and increase your chance of employment. You can use an accounting certificate to qualify for several jobs in accounting. There are various courses that you can enroll in online or in-person, which helps you prepare to pass a certification exam. Look online to find a program that fits your schedule best.
3. Look for volunteer experience
Volunteering is a great way to familiarize yourself with accounting if you have little experience. You can do administrative tasks or work in a bookkeeping position, both of which offer you valuable insight into the daily procedures of accounting. Look for local charities or organizations who include volunteer accountants on their staff.
Related: What are the Benefits of Volunteering? Top Reasons to Volunteer
4. Get a full-time job in an accounting department to gain experience
A great way to grow as an accountant is to gain as much experience as possible. While you may not necessarily work as an accountant, working within an accounting department may help you better understand what a career in accounting entails. You may observe accountants while they work and get an idea for how a typical accounting department runs its operations on a day-to-day basis.
Look online for jobs that are hiring entry-level accounting clerks or assistants. Many employers hire clerks who are active in a certification program, even if they haven’t finished with the program yet.
5. Reach out to other accountants
Networking is a great way to build professional relationships, find new opportunities and learn more about accounting. By expanding your network and establishing connections with fellow accountants, you are setting yourself up for career advancement. One way to network is by joining an online accountant association where you connect with other accounting professionals.
