Key Takeaways:
- Accountants keep businesses and individuals on track financially.
- It takes four years to become an accountant. You need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field, such as finance.
- According to the BLS, the average accountant earned $83,680 annually in 2025.
Fewer people want to become an accountant.
A report from the American Institute of CPAs found the number of new accounting graduates dropped 6.6% in 2024.
That’s a slower rate of decline than in the previous two school years but still worrisome for those who rely on their financial expertise and guidance.
Why would a high school student exploring college majors or an adult looking to change careers not want a role that offers:
- Good pay
- Job stability
- Professional versatility
This blog explores the pros and cons of pursuing a career as an accountant to help you decide whether to follow the trend – or buck it.
What Is an Accountant?
Accountants keep businesses and individuals on track financially.
They manage their records, monitor income and spending, and determine what they owe in taxes.
The basic principles remain unchanged since Luca Bartolomeo Pacioli, a Franciscan monk, first codified bookkeeping in the 15th century.
However, their widespread use didn’t grow until the Industrial Revolution, driven by railroad companies that sought to prove their profitability and attract public and private financing for projects. The Great Depression cemented its importance – many investors blamed poor accounting and reporting practices fueled the downturn.
Today, accountants play an essential role, no matter who they work for.
What Do Accountants Do?
Specific responsibilities depend on the type of accounting you practice and the industry you work in, but you typically:
- Examine financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Compute taxes owed, prepare returns, and ensure they get paid properly and on time
- Inspect accounting systems for efficiency and use of accepted accounting procedures
- Identify potential risks for fraud
- Suggest ways to save money, enhance revenues, and improve profits
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that 115,300 accounting jobs will open each year through 2035, faster than average when compared to other occupations.
Some people leave the industry because it can be repetitive. It’s also heavily regulated, so there may be less room for thinking creatively.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?
It takes four years to become an accountant.
You need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field, such as finance.
However, many companies prefer candidates with a master’s degree since it helps you meet the 150-credit-hour requirement needed to sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam, so you may be in school for another one to two years.
Do Accountants Make Good Money?
According to the BLS, the average accountant earned $83,680 annually in 2025.
The highest 10 percent — those with their CPA license or other certifications — made closer to $145,000 while the yearly salary for those in entry-level positions came in around $56,000.
Types of Accounting Jobs
Some of the accounting jobs you can pursue once you obtain your degree include:
Auditor
Auditors review financial records for accuracy and compliance. They cross-check transactions to ensure a company spent its money appropriately and from the correct source. If an auditor identifies mishandled funds, they alert the proper authorities and certify that a business corrects the issue.
Forensic accountant
Forensic accountants work with law enforcement, insurance companies, or banks to identify instances of embezzlement and other financial crimes. They audit records and also prepare evidence for legal cases — testifying in court when necessary.
Tax accountant
Tax accountants prepare, file, and advise individuals and organizations on their taxes. It can be challenging, with the IRS updating the tax code every year. They also work long hours January through April.
Payroll specialist
Payroll specialists process worker paychecks and track wage laws. They may also conduct annual audits of payroll records and reconcile the general ledger regarding payroll transactions.
Controller
Controllers manage a company’s day-to-day accounting operations and help executives make informed decisions about how to run it in a way that maximizes profitability.
Skills Needed to Become an Accountant
Becoming an accountant requires a combination of several hard and soft skills in addition to your education. To succeed, you need to be:
- Detail oriented: Accounting demands close attention to detail, since even small errors can lead to costly mistakes.
- Analytical: Accountants need to critically evaluate data, identify issues, and suggest solutions that help improve a business.
- Technically proficient: Accounting software, such as NetSuite and Tableau, helps accountants create reports and analyze company performance.
- Communicative: Accountants must translate complex financial concepts and datasets into a story the average person can understand.
- Organized: You work on a lot of projects at once in accounting and at particular times, such as the end of the month or during tax season.
- Collaborative: Many accountants work in teams and with other departments and clients.
How to Become an Accountant (Step-by-Step Guide)
It may take years to start your accounting career, but the process to become one entails just four steps.
- Explore accounting
Before applying to college, research what accountants actually do day-to-day. Ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy working with numbers, spreadsheets, and detailed data?
- Am I interested in a specific industry?
- Do I want to eventually pursue CPA licensure?
Talk to accountants working in fields that interest you or enroll in an elective that gives you hands-on insight.
Many states now require high school students to take a personal finance course to graduate — and if you enjoy managing your own money, that class can help you gauge whether you’d want to do it professionally, too.
Portage Learning, an accredited online institution, offers a personal finance course. Its self-directed format lets you work through the material anytime, from anywhere.
Getting a feel for the industry helps you choose the right degree path and avoid switching majors partway through college. - Earn a degree (or two)
Your bachelor’s degree will provide the foundational technical knowledge, credentials trusted by employers, and licensure pathways required to succeed in the field.
Popular master’s degree programs for accounting majors include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): A good option for those who want to advance their career within the corporate field.
- Master of Accounting (MAcc): A choice better suited for accountants who want to pursue a career as a CPA.
- Complete an internship
Internships provide you with a great opportunity to build your soft skills and industry connections.
Try to complete one with an accounting firm and another with the finance department of a company to give you a well-rounded view and to help you decide where to apply after graduation. - Get licensed and/or certified
Accountants who file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or represent clients before the IRS during an audit need their CPA licensure.
Requirements vary by state, but generally you need:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited school
- At least 24 credits in accounting and auditing, business law, economics, technology, finance, or tax subjects and an additional 12 credits in accounting, auditing, and tax subjects
- 1-2 years of relevant work experience
- To pass all four parts of the CPA exam within 2.5 years of the date you successfully completed the first section
Once you receive your CPA license, you must then complete continuing professional education to maintain it.
You could also become certified in an area relevant to your position and industry. Popular ones include:
- Certified management accountant (CMA)
- Certified internal auditor (CIA)
- Certified fraud examiner (CFE)
Is Accounting for Me?
Fewer people finished accounting degrees in 2024.
But more people started them.
That same AICPA report went on to show enrollment in accounting programs grew 12% year-over-year for two consecutive semesters in 2024-25.
People still see the upside to becoming an accountant: strong pay, job security, and a degree that opens doors across industries.
Now decide for yourself — do you want to continue changing the numbers?
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