Certification or Licensing
Many certification programs are available for accountants and auditors. In-demand professional credentials include:
- certified information systems auditor (ISACA)
- certified internal auditor (Institute of Internal Auditors)
- certified management accountant (Institute of Management Accountants)
- certified public accountant (Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, AICPA)
- chartered global management accountant (a joint venture of the AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
- project management professional (Project Management Institute)
Additionally, some accountants and auditors earn the following certifications:
- accredited business accountant/advisor, accredited tax preparer, accredited tax advisor (Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation)
- internal audit practitioner, certified internal auditor, certification in risk management assurance(Institute of Internal Auditors)
- certified financial manager (Institute of Management Accountants)
- certified treasury professional, certified corporate financial planning and analysis professional (Association of Financial Professionals)
Accountants who file financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission are required by law to be certified public accountants (CPAs). To earn this designation, you must complete 150 semester hours of college course work (in nearly all states), pass a qualifying examination, and hold a certificate issued by the state in which you wish to practice. The Uniform CPA Examination, which is administered by the AICPA, is used by all states. Nearly all states require at least two years of public accounting experience or the equivalent before a CPA certificate can be earned.