How to Become an Accountant: Step-by-Step Career Guide

Accountants record, reconcile and report an organisation's financial activity so that managers, tax authorities, lenders and auditors can rely on it. Day-to-day work ranges from month-end close and reconciliations to management reporting, tax filings and audit support. Qualified accountants add judgement on accounting standards and controls.

This guide sets out realistic routes into the profession, a staged plan with the evidence to collect at each step, projects that prove you can do the work, and the first job titles to search for. It also shows live data on current accountant vacancies so you can see what employers are asking for today.

What an accountant does day to day

• Preparing and reviewing account reconciliations during month-end close.
• Posting accruals, prepayments and journal entries with support.
• Investigating variances between budget and actuals.
• Preparing schedules for the external auditors.
• Improving a manual process, such as automating bank feeds or approvals.

Can you work remotely as an accountant?

This profession is partly remote-friendly. Cloud accounting systems (NetSuite, Xero, QuickBooks Online, SAP S/4HANA Cloud) make much accounting work remote-capable, especially bookkeeping, close and reporting. Constraints are real, though: tax and statutory work requires knowledge of a specific jurisdiction, some roles require local professional registration, and many employers need you to be resident where the entity is registered for payroll and data-protection reasons.

Routes into the profession

Route	Typical time	Best for
Accounting degree plus professional qualification	3–4 years degree plus 2–4 years qualification	Standard for public accounting and many corporate roles; some degrees grant exam exemptions.
Trainee or apprenticeship route	3–5 years	Work and study in parallel, often funded by the employer; common in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
Bookkeeper to accountant	2–5 years	Practical route for career changers; add a qualification such as AAT or ACCA as you progress.

Licensing and regulation

Anyone can do bookkeeping and many accounting tasks, but titles such as Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Accountant, statutory audit sign-off and some tax work are regulated. Requirements differ by country and, in the US, by state board. Check the rules where you want to practise before choosing a qualification.

A staged plan

Timings assume steady part-time effort and will vary with your starting point. Move on when you have the evidence, not when the calendar says so.

Stage	Focus	Evidence to collect
Stage 1: bookkeeping foundations	Double entry, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, Excel.	An entry-level qualification or course and a practice set of accounts.
Stage 2: first role	Accounts assistant or junior accountant; learn close and systems.	Reconciliations and journals you own.
Stage 3: professional qualification	ACCA, CPA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent.	Exams passed and documented experience.
Stage 4: specialise	Financial reporting, management accounting, tax, audit or systems.	Ownership of a reporting area or process.

The skills employers actually test

Hiring processes for accountant roles are built to check a consistent set of abilities. Plan your learning so you can show evidence of each:

• Organisation and understanding of the full cycle.
• Revenue recognition fundamentals.
• Diligence and investigative method.
• Control awareness.
• Efficiency mindset.
• Business communication.
• Adaptability.
• Audit readiness.

Projects that prove you can do the work

Employers hire evidence. Each of these projects produces something you can show and discuss in an interview:

• Build a full set of accounts for a small business or charity from real records.
• Automate a reconciliation in Excel or your accounting software.
• Volunteer as treasurer for a club or non-profit.
• Document a month-end checklist and improve it.

First job titles to search for

Entry roles are rarely titled simply "accountant". Search for these titles too:

• Accounts Assistant
• Junior Accountant
• Accounts Payable Specialist
• Bookkeeper
• Trainee Accountant

Moving from an adjacent role

Many people reach this profession from roles such as bookkeeper, payroll administrator, bank operations analyst, administrative assistant with finance duties. From bookkeeping, banking, administration or audit? Emphasise accuracy, systems and the parts of the accounting cycle you already handle. Starting a recognised qualification and naming your progress shows commitment.

Certifications worth considering

In accounting, the professional qualification defines your career ceiling, and some work legally requires it. Choose based on where your clients or employer are regulated: CPA for the US, ACCA or a local chartered body for most other markets. Software certifications are quick wins for small-business work.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — State boards of accountancy (US), exam by AICPA/NASBA; licence level. Best for accountants working in or for US entities, especially public accounting and controllership.
• QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor / Xero Advisor certification — Intuit / Xero; entry level. Best for bookkeepers and accountants serving small businesses remotely.
• ACCA Qualification — Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; professional level. Best for an internationally recognised route, widely accepted across the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; suits remote careers across borders.

The full certification guide for accountants compares prerequisites, formats and renewal rules.

How the career usually progresses

Most people start in one of the entry titles above, take on larger pieces of work within two to three years, and then choose between deeper specialisation and leading others. Pay generally follows scope rather than years alone.

Preparing for your first interviews

Most accountant hiring processes have around 4 stages, usually including a technical interview. The accountant interview guide covers the questions and practical tests in detail.

Related guides for accountants

• Resume examples for accountants
• Cover letter examples for accountants
• Accountant interview questions and answers
• Important certifications for accountants
• Current remote accountant jobs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree to become an accountant?

In most cases, yes, or an equivalent regulated qualification. Anyone can do bookkeeping and many accounting tasks, but titles such as Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Accountant, statutory audit sign-off and some tax work are regulated.

How long does it take?

Typical timelines: accounting degree plus professional qualification takes 3–4 years degree plus 2–4 years qualification; trainee or apprenticeship route takes 3–5 years; bookkeeper to accountant takes 2–5 years.

Is it a remote-friendly career?

It is partly remote-friendly. Cloud accounting systems (NetSuite, Xero, QuickBooks Online, SAP S/4HANA Cloud) make much accounting work remote-capable, especially bookkeeping, close and reporting.

Can I learn it online?

Online study works well for knowledge and tools. You still need practice on realistic work, feedback from experienced practitioners, and any required supervised experience or licensing.

What should I do first?

Start with double entry, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, Excel, and aim to finish that stage with this evidence: an entry-level qualification or course and a practice set of accounts.