Top 10 Associate Accountant Certifications

Certifications are an important part of any job market, and for associate accountants, they can be particularly valuable. Certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for the job, as well as a commitment to your profession. Also, many employers prefer to hire certified individuals because it reduces their risk and shows that the candidate is committed to their career. Additionally, certifications can provide a competitive edge when it comes to salary negotiations and promotions. Finally, certifications offer continuing education opportunities which can help keep accountant’s skills up-to-date with changing technology and business practices.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Associate Accountants and explains how they can help to further an associate accountant's career.

What are Associate Accountant Certifications?

Associate accountant certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of knowledge and proficiency in the field of accounting. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their accounting skills, knowledge, and experience in order to increase their career prospects. An associate accountant certification typically requires the completion of an accredited course or program related to accounting, such as an Associate's degree in Accounting or a Certificate Program in Accounting Technology.

The benefits of earning an associate accountant certification are numerous. For one, it provides proof of an individual's expertise and experience in the field of accounting. This can be very beneficial for those looking for new opportunities within the field as employers will be more likely to hire someone with a recognized certification than someone without one. Additionally, earning this type of certification can also lead to higher pay and more job security as employers may be willing to offer higher-level positions or promotions due to the added credibility that comes with having a certification. Lastly, having this credential can give individuals access to exclusive networking opportunities with other certified accountants which can open doors for further career advancement.

Pro Tip: If you are considering pursuing an associate accountant certification, make sure to research the different certifying bodies and compare their requirements to ensure that the certification you obtain is recognized by employers in your industry. Additionally, look into the cost and time commitment of each program to determine which one is best suited for your career goals.

Related: What does an Associate Accountant do?

Top 10 Associate Accountant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Associate Accountants today.

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation granted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It is the highest standard of competence in the field of accounting and signifies that an individual has met all educational, experience, and examination requirements to become a CPA.

In order to become a CPA, candidates must meet certain educational requirements, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and fulfill additional state or jurisdiction-specific requirements. Depending on the state or jurisdiction, these may include completing continuing education credits and passing an ethics exam.

The amount of time it takes to become a CPA varies depending on each individual’s background. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one to three years to obtain a CPA license. This time frame includes completing any necessary coursework, taking the Uniform CPA Exam, and fulfilling other state-specific requirements.

To get started on becoming a CPA, you should first check with your state board of accountancy for specific requirements for licensure in your jurisdiction. You will need to complete 150 semester hours of college credit before you can sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. The cost of becoming a CPA varies widely depending on factors such as which courses you take and how long it takes you to complete them. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay between $1,000-$5,000 in tuition fees plus additional costs for books and study materials.

2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The CMA designation is designed to recognize and reward professionals who demonstrate expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics.

To obtain the CMA certification, you must meet certain educational and experience requirements and pass two exams. To be eligible for the CMA exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience. You must also have two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management.

The CMA exam consists of two parts: Part 1 covers financial reporting, planning, performance and control; Part 2 covers financial decision making. Each part has 100 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the CMA exam depending on your study schedule and how much time you devote to studying each day. It is recommended that candidates dedicate at least 20 hours per week to studying for the exam.

The cost of taking the CMA exam varies depending on where you take it. The IMA offers discounted rates for members; non-members pay a higher fee. In general, it costs around $1,200–$1,400 USD to take both parts of the exam.

3. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is the most recognized certification for internal auditors and demonstrates an individual’s commitment to the profession. The CIA credential is globally accepted and provides assurance that the holder has met rigorous standards of knowledge, experience, competence, and ethics.

The CIA program consists of three parts: Part 1 – The Internal Audit Basics; Part 2 – Practice of Internal Auditing; and Part 3 – Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing. Candidates must pass all three parts in order to become certified.

In order to qualify for the CIA exam, candidates must have a minimum of two years of professional experience in internal auditing or related fields such as accounting, finance, information systems audit/controls, or risk management. Candidates may also qualify with a combination of education and experience.

The cost to take the CIA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,200 USD to take all three parts of the exam.

The amount of time it takes to get your CIA certification depends on how quickly you can complete each part of the exam process. Generally speaking, it takes about 6 months to complete all three parts if you are studying full-time.

4. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional certification offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud.

To get the CFE certification, you must pass the CFE Exam. The exam consists of four parts: Financial Transactions & Fraud Schemes, Law, Investigation, and Business Practices & Ethics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and is offered twice a year in June and December.

In order to be eligible for the CFE Exam, you must meet certain criteria such as having at least two years of professional experience related to fraud prevention or detection, or a bachelor’s degree in accounting or criminal justice with at least 12 semester hours in accounting or auditing courses.

The cost of the CFE Exam varies depending on your ACFE membership status. For non-members, it costs $450 USD; for members it costs $400 USD; and for students it costs $250 USD.

5. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is a designation offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). It is a professional certification for management accountants that recognizes their expertise in financial accounting, strategic management, and business analysis.

The CGMA designation requires a combination of education, experience, and examination. To qualify for the CGMA designation, an individual must:

1. Have completed at least one year of professional experience in management accounting or related fields;

2. Have earned either an undergraduate degree or graduate degree from an accredited institution;

3. Pass the AICPA/CIMA Professionalism and Ethics Exam;

4. Pass the AICPA/CIMA CGMA Competency Framework Exam; and

5. Complete the required continuing professional education credits each year to maintain the designation.

The entire process can take up to two years to complete depending on how quickly you are able to satisfy all requirements. The cost of obtaining the CGMA designation varies depending on which exams you choose to take and how many continuing professional education credits you need to complete each year. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500-$1000 USD for all exams and fees associated with obtaining the CGMA designation.

6. Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate proficiency in government financial management and demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct. The CGFM program consists of three exams that assess a candidate’s knowledge and skills related to government financial management.

It typically takes 12-18 months to complete all three exams, depending on the individual’s study time and preparation. To get started, candidates must first submit an application and pay the initial registration fee. After submitting their application, they will receive additional information about the exam process, including eligibility requirements, exam dates, and locations.

The cost of taking the CGFM examinations depends on the number of exams taken and when they are taken. The total cost for all three examinations ranges from $1,000-$1,500 USD. Additionally, there is an annual maintenance fee of $75 USD that must be paid each year to maintain certification status.

7. Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA/ABA)

Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA/ABA) is a professional designation issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It is designed to recognize CPAs and other professionals who have achieved a level of knowledge and experience in accounting, finance, and business consulting. The ABA/ABA designation is intended to identify those individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to providing quality services to their clients.

It typically takes two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study to obtain the ABA/ABA designation. To become an ABA/ABA, you must first pass the Uniform CPA Examination administered by the AICPA. Once you have passed this exam, you must then complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in accounting and business courses at an accredited college or university. Additionally, you must also complete a minimum of three years of work experience in accounting, finance, or business consulting before applying for the ABA/ABA designation.

To apply for the ABA/ABA designation, you must submit an application to the AICPA along with supporting documentation such as transcripts from your college or university and proof of your work experience. The application fee is $250 USD. After your application has been approved, you will be required to pay an annual membership fee, which is currently set at $150 USD per year.

Once you have obtained your ABA/ABA designation, it will remain valid for life as long as you maintain your annual membership fees with the AICPA.

8. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a professional certification issued by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved proficiency in the practice of information systems auditing, control, and security. CISA certifies that an individual has the knowledge and experience necessary to audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to become certified as a CISA. The process involves studying for the exam, taking the exam itself, completing a professional experience requirement, submitting an application for certification review, and paying the applicable fees.

To get certified as a CISA you must first meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in information systems auditing, control or security within the 10 years prior to your application submission. You must also pass a comprehensive examination that covers topics such as IT governance and management; IT acquisition, development and implementation; IT operations; protection of information assets; business continuity planning; risk assessment; audit process; legal compliance; and more.

The cost of becoming certified as a CISA varies depending on where you live. Generally speaking it costs around $500-$800 USD for ISACA membership ($45-$85/year), $600-$700 USD for the exam fee ($575 USD if taken outside North America), plus any additional study materials or courses you may choose to purchase.

9. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional designation awarded by the CFA Institute to individuals who have completed an extensive course of study and passed all three levels of the CFA exam. The CFA program provides a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as quantitative methods, economics, ethics, financial reporting and analysis, portfolio management, corporate finance and equity investments.

It typically takes four years to complete the CFA program. Candidates must pass each level of the exam before they can progress to the next level. The first level consists of 10 topics that cover basic investment principles and tools. The second level covers advanced concepts in portfolio management and asset valuation. The third level focuses on portfolio management with real-world applications.

To become a CFA charterholder, candidates must have at least four years of professional experience in investment decision-making or related roles. They must also adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct set by the CFA Institute.

The cost for taking all three levels of the CFA exam varies depending on when you register for it but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 USD per level plus additional fees for materials and registration costs.

10. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a professional certification for financial advisors who provide financial planning services. The CFP credential is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., an independent organization that sets and enforces standards for financial planners. To become a CFP, an individual must meet certain educational, experience, and ethical requirements.

It typically takes between two to three years to complete all the requirements necessary to become a CFP. In order to obtain the CFP designation, individuals must first pass the CFP Certification Examination which consists of two three-hour sessions with 170 multiple-choice questions. After passing the exam, individuals must then complete a minimum of 6,000 hours of qualifying work experience in financial planning related activities over a period of up to three years. Finally, applicants must also complete an ethics course and agree to adhere to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

The cost for obtaining the CFP designation varies depending on where you live and what type of program you choose. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 or more for tuition fees alone. Additional costs may include exam fees ($695), study materials ($100-$200), and other miscellaneous expenses such as travel and lodging if attending classes in person.

Do You Really Need a Associate Accountant Certificate?

An Associate Accountant Certificate can be a great way to jumpstart a career in accounting. With an Associate Accountant Certificate, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic accounting tasks. It shows that you are familiar with the fundamentals of financial record keeping, budgeting, and other accounting procedures. Additionally, it demonstrates that you have a certain level of commitment to the field of accounting.

However, while an Associate Accountant Certificate can be beneficial, it is not necessarily required for all positions in the field. Depending on your individual qualifications and experience level, it may not be necessary or even beneficial to obtain one. If you already possess a degree in Accounting or related fields such as Business Administration or Finance, then an Associate Accountant Certificate may not be necessary. In this case, your educational background and professional experience will likely be sufficient for many entry-level positions in the field.

In some cases, having an Associate Accountant Certificate may even disqualify you from certain job opportunities due to being overqualified for the position. This is especially true if you are applying for roles outside of the accounting profession where having an Advanced degree may be preferred over having only a certification.

Overall, whether or not you need an Associate Accountant Certificate depends largely on your individual qualifications and experience level as well as the type of job you are applying for. If you already possess a degree in Accounting or related fields and/or have significant professional experience in the field then obtaining a certificate may not be beneficial or necessary for most positions. However, if your educational background and professional experience are lacking then obtaining an Associate Accountant Certificate could help give you an advantage over other applicants when applying for jobs in this field.

Related: Associate Accountant Resume Examples

FAQs About Associate Accountant Certifications

1. What is an Associate Accountant Certification?

Answer: An Associate Accountant Certification is a credential that demonstrates the holder has the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to work as an entry-level accountant. It typically requires completion of coursework and/or passing of an exam.

2. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified can provide increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater recognition in the accounting field. It also demonstrates commitment to professional development and provides evidence of competency to potential employers.

3. How do I become certified?

Answer: The requirements for certification vary by organization, but typically involve completing a set number of hours in coursework related to accounting and passing an exam. Depending on the organization, continuing education may also be required for renewal or recertification.

4. How long does certification last?

Answer: Generally, certifications are valid for two years and require renewal or recertification prior to expiration in order to remain valid.

5. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Answer: Prerequisites will vary depending on the organization offering certification; however, most require at least a high school diploma or equivalent and some knowledge of basic accounting principles prior to taking the exam or beginning coursework.