Certifications can help an individual to quickly acquire and validate valuable skills and know-how in a domain that will boost the finance and accounting careers beyond imagination. The certifications add value to one’s professional CV and help them to convince their employer of the capability to get a task done.
Advancing in a career in the business world usually requires getting additional knowledge and training. To prove that one has this supplemental experience, professional accounting programs can be awarded to anyone by several firms. There are several various certifications available, although some will help to advance the career more than others.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 4 percent job growth for accountants and auditors over the next ten years, these professionals will also earn a median annual salary of $41,230 and can serve as stepping stones to higher-paying positions.
Accounting Certificate
An undergraduate certificate gives an individual to get a taste of the college curriculum without the commitment of a degree program. With a certificate, one can receive training to start or advance in the workforce and lay a foundation for potential further study.
✔ Can lead to entry-level positions
✔ Gives way to common career paths: financial assistant, clerk, or bookkeeper
✔ Also act as a bridge to the next level of one’s career path
✔ One takes a couple of months to a year to earn the certificate
Is an Accounting Certificate Worth It?
A financial accounting certification will enhance an individual to increase skills as well as grow in their respective career. The market offers a limited supply of qualified individuals who possess detailed fundamental knowledge blended with in-built practical skills and are ready to take on the leadership role to develop trust. There is an ever-growing requirement for experts who successfully combine industry insight and technical knowledge with business acumen, leadership and collaboration skills.
Hence it is important to have professional development at several different levels, as this plays a crucial focus in the present business agenda. A tough question is where to acquire a needed level of knowledge and to get benefitted from access to global best practices and effective operational and strategic management solutions.
During this time, doing the accounting programs helps the professionals whose objective is to help them to be internationally recognized accountants. They just know what kind of credential they are seeking and the ways it can be advantageous for their professional career demands. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that around 815 not-for-profit colleges and universities in the US provide accounting and finance certifications.
Accounting certificates offer several professional perks to both new and experienced accounting professionals. Many students without college degrees usually choose careers in accounting and finance, and for this, they do certification programs to qualify for entry-level clerking or bookkeeping positions, while college graduates may get certificates to help meet the professional certification requirements.
The goal of any certification is that the new accounting students give foundational qualifications that will transfer to accounting associate degree or bachelor’s degree programs. More advanced accounting certificate programs also offer qualifications that transfer to accounting master’s or Ph.D. programs.
Objectives of doing financial accounting certification
◾ To gain knowledge of basic concepts related to accounting
It is very essential to understand fundamental concepts of accounting in entry-level accounting positions. Students in entry-level accounting programs will receive vast insights into accounting principles and should be able to implement basic accounting skills that are valued in almost all entry-level positions, such as financial record keeping, tax preparation, and payroll administration.
◾ To perform quantitative and record-keeping
Individuals who have financial accounting certification should possess the ability to reliably report financial information, budgets, and payroll activity. Accounting accuracy, high professional standards, and ethical behavior are very useful in the accounting field because these are helpful in performing accurate quantitative and record-keeping tasks.
◾ To understand accounts payable and receivable
It is important to have knowledge of the accounts payable and receivable. Only then can one perform tasks like collection of delinquent debt, alerting customers of insufficient payments, preparing financial reports, and maintaining accounting ledgers.