Step-by-step guide: How to become an Accountant

Have you been wondering how to become an accountant? Follow our step by step guide on how to start your  career in the accounting industry.

Step 1 – Decide if you want to become an accountant

Figure out whether you have the right temperament and potential to become an accountant by taking our Accounting Personality Quiz.

As an aspiring accountant, you need to be good with numbers, have strong analytical skills and a high standard of ethics. You’ll be organised, pay attention to details and be confident in the use of technology as you will need to learn how to use accounting software and other digital tools.

If you think you tick most of these boxes, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2 – Get an accounting degree

You need a degree in accounting or commerce to become an accountant.

The ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting) is a solid choice from a reputable higher education provider.

The degree combines core business subjects with specialist accounting subjects, giving you both a broad understanding of what companies and businesses require, as well as the technical proficiency to make an impact in the accounting field. `

You will become knowledgeable in the critical areas of management accounting and financial accounting, corporate finance, business taxation and audit and assurance.

These subjects give you the essential tools you need to succeed in accounting.

What sets the ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting) apart is the industry training / internship that form part of the degree as part of the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) subjects you complete in your second year.

Which brings us to Step 3.

Step 3 – ICMS’ Connections are Your Connections

Gain relevant work experience in accounting as soon as you are able, preferably while still a student.

Every ICMS student completes up to 600 hours as part of their degree, placed for two trimesters in one of ICMS’ over 1000 industry partners.

In the accounting field, partners include WOBI, ConMed, Fairfax, MM Migration and Recruitment among others. This means that before you graduate, you can make connections, network with future employers and have the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

ICMS is big enough to connect you, small enough to connect with you. The ICMS Professional Placement team will work with you to tailor your industry placement around your interests and towards your future goals.

Step 4 – Take your accounting degree to the next level

Once you graduate, which can take up to three years, or 2.3 years if you choose an accelerated version of the ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting), most students choose to seek additional certifications. This broadens your scope of employment and offers you greater upward mobility in your career.

In Australia, you can become certified if you pass an examination and meet the education and experience requirements of the particular certification body you choose.

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree has been accredited by professional bodies Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia and by ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Upon completion of your degree, you will be able to enter CA ANZ and CPA professional level programs directly and immediately register as Associate Members.

Regarding ACCA, you will receive exemptions for foundation exams and satisfy entry requirements into the professional level qualification, similar to CA ANZ and CPA Australia.

Once you are qualified, you can start progressing even further towards professional and personal fulfilment in your career, and can even look internationally if this is something you are interested in.

Step 5 – Find your perfect accounting career

Some industries have more variety of roles than others. Accounting has countless variations of roles due to its importance in various industries.

Public sector: These roles include positions in government departments, for example, the Department of Treasury or the Australian Taxation Office. Other examples of public sector roles include local councils or non-profit organisations.

Private sector: Roles can be found in the private sector anywhere from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises. You could even start your own company and be your own accountant.

For specific details on career options for accountants, click here.

What are you waiting for?

With the potential for career growth and the diversity of opportunities available, choosing to pursue a career in accounting is an exciting challenge for students of the right professional persuasion. Take the first step and find out more about how the ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting) can help you become an accountant.