Accountancy is a field that many people are interested in making a career out of. There are some specific steps and training that should be taken for a person to go into an accountancy career. Once you know these steps and the training that must be taken, you can then start taking the actions necessary to become an accountant.

To start a career in accountancy, the first thing that must be done is obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting. Even if you do not major in accounting, you must major in a business field related to accounting and take the allotted number of accounting courses. Before you decide whether or not to major in accounting, you should first research the degree requirements to become an accountant in your state. Since the requirements can differ from state to state, it is important to make sure you meet the requirements to get certification in your state.

Once you enroll in a college and declare your major as accounting, or a related field, you will then need to take all the necessary courses in accountancy. Many colleges provide students with a catalog of courses that must be taken to obtain a degree in a specific major. If your college does not have such a catalog, you can seek the advice of an advisor. An academic advisor will be able to help you decide the accountancy courses you should take as well as the order in which they should be taken.

To become an accountant, you need to obtain a Certified Public Accountant certificate. Most states require you to take at least 150 semester hours for a degree in accounting. Since your degree is the prerequisite for taking the exam to obtain the CPA certificate, you must complete all the semester hours necessary.

Another pre-requisite for taking the CPA exam is accounting experience. Homework and projects done in school do not count as experience. The best way to get this experience is through a summer internship or part-time job worked during school. Since most accounting firms realize students need experience to start their career in accountancy, these firms are flexible in hiring students.

Once you've met all the pre-requisites for taking the CPA exam, the final training you will need is preparation for the exam. Some colleges offer a preparation course. If your school does not offer such a course or you wish to study through some other means, you can purchase books from the local book store that will help you prepare.

Once you have a degree, experience, and you have your CPA you are ready to begin a career in accountancy.