Private Equity Accountants and Auditors

Certification or Licensing

In-demand professional credentials for accountants and auditors include:

• 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)

Additionally, some professionals in this field earn the following certifications:

• accredited business accountant/advisor, accredited tax preparer, accredited tax advisor (Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation)
• certification in risk management assurance (Institute of Internal Auditors)
• certified management accountant, financial and managerial accounting associate (Institute of Management Accountants)
• certified treasury professional, certified corporate financial planning and analysis professional (Association of Financial Professionals)

A large percentage of accountants are certified public accountants (CPAs). Those who receive this designation have passed a qualifying examination and hold a certificate issued by the state in which they wish to practice. The Uniform CPA Examination, which is administered by the AICPA, is used by all states. In 2024, the AICPA launched a revised CPA examination. Candidates must complete three core sections: Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Taxation and Regulation. Then they select one discipline from the following categories: Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Controls, and Tax Compliance and Planning. The AICPA says that "new content has also been added throughout the exam to test on relevant topics of emerging technology and financial planning." Visit https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/download/learn-what-it-takes-to-become-a-cpa to learn more about the examination.

Nearly all states require at least two years of public accounting experience or the equivalent before a CPA certificate can be earned.