会计师需要考虑的8大认证

As the saying goes, the only certainties in life are death and taxes – and that means accountants will always be in demand. 事实上,会计和审计员的职位预计将增加10个.根据领先的劳动力分析公司Lightcast的数据,到2032年,这一比例将达到6%.

But accounting isn’t just about taxes. 在这个复杂和不断变化的领域中有许多专业可供选择, 其中许多工作需要学士学位以外的额外培训和证书. 因为认证项目通常需要大量的时间和金钱投入, understanding which certification aligns with your career goals is an important part of your professional development plan. That’s why we’ve rounded up information about eight certifications that can help you advance your career, 以及你在探索你的选择时应该考虑的关键因素. 

What Are Accounting Certifications?

Accounting certifications are credentials that demonstrate expertise in a certain specialty area within accounting or that recognize specific skills. 例如,某些会计角色需要特定的证书, only professionals who have earned the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential can sign audit reports. 其他认证可以用来培养新的技能, 进入专门的职位,在招聘过程中脱颖而出. 有些认证是由行业监管机构颁发的, 而其他则由国税局或特定学校监督.

Who Are Accounting Certifications For?

会计认证课程适用于所有不同类型的会计师, 对于注册会计学位课程的学生也是如此. 当你还是学生的时候,你可以开始一些认证的资格认证过程, 大多数人在获得证书之前都需要一定的练习时间. 

Certifications are particularly beneficial for professionals who wish to perform regulated functions (like preparing federal tax returns), 晋升到一个新的角色或转向会计领域的不同领域. 

有哪些会计认证?

有各种各样的会计证书可供选择. 其中一些证书是通过特定的教育项目获得的, while others are obtained by taking a test or by meeting certain standards of education and experience. Many of these certificates can significantly increase earning potential compared to the median advertised accounting salary, which was $74,根据Lightcast Analytics的数据,2023年第一季度将达到600个, a leading labor market data provider.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

  • Median advertised salary: $86,400 

“A CPA is the gold standard for accountants, and many jobs will require CPA certification,” says Dr. 十大正规赌博平台大全排行会计项目主席特蕾西·米勒说. 该专业执照展示了广泛的会计职能知识, including tax preparation, financial statements, financial planning, forensic accounting and internal auditing. 根据法律规定,只有注册会计师才能履行某些职能,比如审计上市公司. 执照在公共会计中尤为重要, the financial sector, government and compliance. 

How to Earn CPA Licensure

各州颁发注册会计师证书,具体程序因司法管辖区而异. However, accountants in every state must pass the four-part Uniform CPA Examination administered by the American Institute of CPAs to qualify for certification. 每个州对教育和经验都有自己的要求. Most expect a bachelor’s degree or a certain number of college credits as well as experience in a public accounting or government role.

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

  • Median advertised salary: $100,200

The CIA qualification is a globally-recognized credential for internal auditors who work within companies and government agencies to ensure that financial records are correct and compliant and to uncover mistakes and fraud. CIA认证涵盖了一些与CPA认证相同的功能, it is more narrowly focused on audit processes and is geared toward roles inside organizations rather than external audit positions. 

How to Earn CIA Certification

The Institute of Internal Auditors awards the CIA. Candidates must pass three examinations and demonstrate a combination of education and related experience. 此外,他们必须同意遵守道德准则,并提供一份品德证明. 

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

  • Median advertised salary: $74,600

The CMA designation demonstrates accounting proficiency and knowledge of strategic financial management topics, including reporting, budgeting, risk management and more. This certification is a good choice for accountants who wish to move into management or leadership positions.

How to Earn CMA Certification 

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) offers the CMA credential. To earn a CMA, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field and two years of relevant professional experience. 您还必须加入IMA并通过两部分CMA考试. 
 

Ready to make your move in accounting? 在十大正规赌博平台大全排行的免费会计职业指南中获得每个职业阶段的见解.

 

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

  • Median advertised salary: $86,400

The CFE certification prepares professionals for careers detecting and investigating financial crimes and fraudulent activity. Fraud examiners conduct forensic audits, analyze financial records, and even work on criminal investigations. 他们可能在私营部门或政府职位工作, 包括像联邦调查局这样的执法机构. 

How to Earn CFE Certification

The CFE credential is awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). To earn a CFE, you must become an ACFE member, 通过考试并证明有两年与欺诈相关的工作经验. 你还需要展示相关教育和专业经验的结合. 

Enrolled Agent (EA)

  • Median advertised salary: $89,000

The Enrolled Agent certification qualifies accountants to prepare tax returns and represent taxpayers before the IRS to resolve disputes and other tax-related matters. 注册代理人可以与个人、企业或任何团体合作报税. 

How to Earn EA Certification

与其他会计证书不同,注册代理证书是 offered directly by the IRS. EA认证没有任何学历要求. However, you must pass a three-part exam or demonstrate sufficient experience as a former IRS employee.

注册信息系统审核员(CISA)

  • Median advertised salary: $116,100

The CISA certification qualifies professionals to audit, control and assess IT and business systems. 它非常适合那些希望在更技术性的环境中工作的专业人士. 

How to Earn CISA Certification

The CISA credential is offered by ISACA,是信息治理和安全专业人员的专业组织. To earn CISA certification, 你必须证明有五年的相关技术经验并通过考试. 

注册政府财务经理(CGFM)

  • Median advertised salary: $70,400

CGFM证书证明了在政府特定会计方面的专业知识, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting practices. This certification prepares professionals for local, state and federal government agency positions. 

How to Earn CGFM Certification

政府金融专业人士协会AGA授予CGFM认证. The qualification requires a bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience in government financial management. 你还需要通过三门考试,并同意遵守职业道德准则. 

特许全球管理会计师(CGMA)

  • Median salary: $69,900

The CGMA credential is available to accountants worldwide and demonstrates the management accounting skills needed for high-level positions in business or government. In addition to financial accounting, 该资格要求具备操作知识, strategy and management best practices. 

How to Earn CGMA Certification

The American Institute of CPAs 在美国管理CGMA认证. 要获得CGMA认证,你必须完成一个在线认证项目并通过考试. 你还需要三年相关工作经验.

Are Accounting Certifications Worth It? 

Accounting certifications can be costly and require significant time and preparation – plus, 许多证书需要定期重新认证并支付费用. That means it’s crucial to understand how certification will advance your career prospects and earnings before you embark on the qualification process. 对于一些会计职位来说,像注册会计师这样的证书是必不可少的. In other areas, credentials can help you stand out from other job candidates but may not be an absolute requirement. 

正如上面的数字所示,证书可能带来更高的收入潜力. However, it’s important to remember that individual salaries within each area of accounting can vary significantly based on the organization and the relative responsibilities of each role. 

当您考虑认证是否适合您时, explore postings for jobs that interest you and reach out to accountants in similar positions to better understand whether certifications will help you reach your goals. For many accountants, the biggest payoff from earning a certificate comes from access to specialized functions that align with their personal and professional interests. 

Advance Your Accounting Career 

准备在会计行业找到你独特的道路? Franklin University can help. 

Franklin’s M.S. in Accounting - Financial Operations Focus and M.S. in Accounting - Taxation Focus programs are taught by experienced practitioners and delivered 100% online to help you balance your studies with personal and professional responsibilities. In as few as 17 months, you can earn your degree and gain the required hours and foundational knowledge to sit for professional accounting certification exams, 比如注册会计师(CPA)的称号. 

If you’re interested in boosting your accounting career with data analysis and presentation capabilities, Franklin’s Accounting Data Analytics certificate program may be right for you. This online program can be completed in 12 months and offers credit hours toward CPA licensure. 

Learn more about how an accounting master’s degree or certificate 十大正规赌博平台大全排行的教授可以帮助你建立你的未来.

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