Top 11 General Accountant Certifications

Certifications are an important way for general accountants to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the profession. Certifications can help general accountants stand out in the job market by showing potential employers that they have taken the initiative to learn, understand, and practice the most up-to-date accounting principles and practices. Additionally, certifications may provide access to higher paying positions or additional responsibilities within an organization. Employers often view certified general accountants as having a greater level of knowledge, experience, and dedication than non-certified professionals. In short, certifications can be a valuable asset when looking for a job as a general accountant.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for General Accountants and explain how they can help advance a general accountant's career.

What are General Accountant Certifications?

General Accountant Certification is a type of certification that recognizes an individual's ability to provide professional accounting services. This certification is typically awarded by professional accounting organizations or other accredited institutions, and it demonstrates a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of finance and accounting.

Having a General Accountant Certification can be beneficial for those looking to work in the fields of accounting or finance, as it shows employers that you have the necessary skills to perform the job effectively. It also demonstrates that you have taken the time to gain additional qualifications and are dedicated to staying current with developments in the industry. Additionally, having this certification may help you stand out from other applicants who do not have it when applying for jobs or promotions.

Furthermore, some employers may require that their employees possess a General Accountant Certification before they will hire them. Having this certification can potentially open up more job opportunities and higher salaries than those who do not have it. Additionally, having this certification may make you eligible for certain bonuses or other forms of compensation depending on your employer’s policies.

Pro Tip: When considering general accountant certification, be sure to research the requirements of the certifying organization. In some cases, you may need to have a certain amount of experience or education before you can apply for certification. Additionally, make sure that the certification is recognized in your jurisdiction and will give you the credentials needed to practice as an accountant.

Related: What does a General Accountant do?

Top 11 General Accountant Certifications

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

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation given to individuals who have passed an examination administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). CPAs are authorized to provide a wide range of services, including auditing, tax preparation, financial planning and consulting.

It typically takes four years to become a CPA. The process involves completing an undergraduate degree in accounting or a related field, obtaining work experience in accounting or auditing, and passing the CPA exam. Each state has its own requirements for CPA licensure, so it is important to check with your state board of accountancy for specific information.

In order to become a CPA, you must first complete an accredited college program in accounting or a related field. After graduation, you will need to gain at least one year of relevant work experience before taking the CPA Exam. Once you have met all the requirements for taking the exam, you can register with your state's Board of Accountancy and apply for the exam.

The cost of becoming a CPA varies depending on your state and other factors such as whether you require additional coursework or review courses prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 in fees associated with registering for and taking the exam. Additional costs may be incurred if you need to take additional courses or review materials prior to taking the exam.

2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional certification credential in the field of management accounting. It is granted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to individuals who have met the educational, experience, and examination requirements set forth by the IMA.

The CMA certification process typically takes between 12-18 months to complete. The process consists of two parts: Part 1 focuses on financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics; Part 2 focuses on financial statement reporting, planning, performance management, cost management, internal controls, and analytics.

To become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), you must meet certain eligibility requirements including: completing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; obtaining two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management; passing the CMA Exam; and agreeing to abide by IMA’s Code of Professional Conduct.

The cost for taking the CMA Exam varies depending on which part you are taking and whether or not you are an IMA member. The exam fee for members is $415 per part while non-members pay $555 per part. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing study materials such as textbooks or practice exams.

3. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and is designed to demonstrate expertise in the field. The CIA credential is highly sought after by employers, and it can open up career opportunities in a variety of industries.

The CIA certification requires candidates to pass three parts of the exam. Each part consists of multiple-choice questions and two essay questions. The exam covers topics such as risk management, governance, internal control systems, financial reporting, and more. Candidates must also complete an ethics course prior to taking the exam.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to prepare for the CIA exam depending on how much time you have available for studying. To get started, candidates should review the IIA’s Exam Candidate Guidebook which outlines all of the requirements for becoming certified. It is important to note that there are prerequisites that must be met before registering for the exam such as having at least two years of experience in internal auditing or related fields.

The cost of taking the CIA exam varies depending on where you take it and which part you are taking. Generally speaking, each part costs around $450 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing study materials or enrolling in review courses if desired.

4. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is a professional designation for management accountants, developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The CGMA designation recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in strategic financial management and business operations.

To become a CGMA, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. This includes having an undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience, passing the CIMA Professional Qualification exam and completing the AICPA’s Ethics Exam. Once these requirements are met, you can apply for the CGMA designation.

The time it takes to get your CGMA depends on how quickly you complete the required exams and other requirements. Generally, it takes about six months to one year to complete all of the steps necessary to become a CGMA.

The cost of getting your CGMA varies depending on where you live and which organization you use for your exams and other requirements. Generally, it costs around $2,000 to $3,000 in total fees for all three parts of the process: exam fees, application fees and membership fees.

Once you have earned your CGMA designation, there are several benefits that come with it. These include access to exclusive resources such as research reports and webinars; discounts on AICPA products; networking opportunities; recognition from employers; potential salary increases; and more.

5. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional certification awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in detecting and deterring fraud. To become a CFE, an individual must demonstrate knowledge and experience in four main areas: financial transactions and fraud schemes, criminology and ethics, investigation, and law.

It typically takes between two to three years to become certified as a CFE. During this time, candidates must complete the ACFE's CFE Exam Preparation Course and pass the four-hour CFE Exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that test an individual’s knowledge of fraud examination techniques. Candidates must also have at least two years of professional experience related to the detection or deterrence of fraud in order to be eligible for certification.

The cost of becoming a CFE varies depending on where you live. In the United States, it costs $400 to register for the exam preparation course and $550 for the exam itself. International fees may vary depending on location.

6. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is a professional designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. It is a mark of excellence that demonstrates to clients and employers that an individual has met rigorous standards of knowledge, experience, ethics and professionalism in the field of financial planning.

To become a CFP, individuals must complete certain educational requirements, pass an exam and meet additional requirements such as work experience. The educational requirements include completing college-level coursework in areas such as financial planning, insurance, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning.

The CFP exam is administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and consists of two parts: a three-hour written portion and a two-hour computer-based portion. The written portion covers topics such as financial analysis, investments, insurance and risk management. The computer-based portion focuses on practical application of the concepts covered in the written portion.

The cost for taking the CFP exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $600-$1,000. Additionally, there are other costs associated with becoming a CFP including fees for study materials and membership dues to maintain certification status.

In total it can take anywhere from six months to several years to become a CFP depending on your level of dedication and commitment to studying for the exam.

7. Accredited Business Valuator (ABV)

Accredited Business Valuator (ABV) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of business valuation. The ABV credential is granted by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), which is an international organization that sets standards for appraisers and other professionals in the appraisal industry.

To become an Accredited Business Valuator, you must meet certain educational, experience, and ethical requirements. You must have at least five years of experience in business valuation or related fields, complete a minimum of 80 hours of approved coursework, pass the ABV Examination and adhere to the ASA Code of Ethics. The process typically takes 12-18 months to complete.

The cost to become an Accredited Business Valuator varies depending on the type of education and training you pursue. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 for tuition and fees associated with completing the required coursework and taking the examination. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with membership dues or other services offered by ASA.

8. Enrolled Agent (EA)

Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who is licensed by the U.S. government to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). EAs are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS and have specialized expertise in taxation.

It takes approximately 6 months to become an Enrolled Agent after completing the necessary requirements. To become an EA, you must first pass a three-part examination administered by the IRS, known as the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). This exam covers individual and business tax returns, representation rights and responsibilities, ethics, and other related topics. After passing this exam, you must also complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years in order to maintain your EA status.

The cost of becoming an Enrolled Agent varies depending on which materials you use for study and how much time you spend preparing for the SEE exam. The cost of taking the SEE exam itself is $117 per part, or $351 total for all three parts. Additionally, there may be fees associated with enrolling in continuing education courses or joining a professional organization such as NATP or NAEA.

9. Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Canada/CPA Australia/CPAC UK/CPAC Ireland/CPAC New Zealand etc.)

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation granted by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), CPA Australia, CPAC UK, CPAC Ireland, and CPAC New Zealand. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a high level of expertise in accounting and financial management.

To become a CPA, candidates must meet the educational requirements of their respective country’s CPA organization. In Canada, for example, this includes completing an undergraduate degree in business or commerce with an accounting major and passing the Uniform Evaluation (UFE) exam. Depending on the country, additional experience may also be required.

The length of time it takes to become a CPA varies depending on the country. In Canada, for example, it typically takes two to three years to complete the educational requirements and pass the UFE exam.

In order to obtain a CPA designation in any of these countries, applicants must apply through their respective national organization: CPA Canada for Canada; CPA Australia for Australia; CPAC UK for United Kingdom; CPAC Ireland for Ireland; and CPAC New Zealand for New Zealand.

The cost of becoming a CPA varies by country as well. In Canada, for example, there are fees associated with registering as a student member of CPA Canada ($150), enrolling in the UFE exam ($1125), and applying for membership ($375). Additional costs may include course materials or other study aids such as tutoring or practice exams.

10. Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)

Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) is a professional certification offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is designed to equip auditors with the knowledge and skills necessary to audit government organizations. The CGAP certification is designed for internal auditors who have experience in government or public sector auditing.

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CGAP certification. To become certified, individuals must first meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having at least two years of professional experience in government or public sector auditing. Once eligible, applicants must pass an online exam that tests their knowledge of governmental and public sector auditing principles and practices.

The cost of the CGAP certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exam, but it generally ranges from $175-$300 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with application processing and other administrative costs.

Once certified, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in governmental and public sector auditing by displaying their CGAP credential on their resume and business cards.

11. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is a credential designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge, experience and competency in the field of information systems auditing. The CISA certification is offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

To become certified as a CISA, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass the CISA exam. To be eligible for the exam, you must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in information systems auditing, control or security. You must also have at least three years of experience in one or more of the following areas: IT governance, information systems acquisition, development and implementation; IT operations and business process management; protection of information assets; or management of IT-related projects.

The CISA exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as IT governance, risk management, audit processes and techniques, system acquisition, development and implementation, system operations and business process management. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to take the CISA exam varies depending on your country of residence but typically ranges from $450 - $600 USD. Additionally, there is an annual membership fee to ISACA which costs between $125 - $225 USD per year depending on your country of residence.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CISA certificate from ISACA within 4-6 weeks.

Do You Really Need a General Accountant Certificate?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes. A General Accountant Certificate is an important credential that can open up many doors in the accounting field, and it can be beneficial for both employers and employees alike.

For potential employers, having a General Accountant Certificate on your resume provides assurance that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle the job. It demonstrates that you have gone through the proper training, passed all of the necessary exams, and have demonstrated proficiency in certain areas of accounting. This allows employers to make more informed decisions when hiring someone for an accounting position, as they know that the individual has been trained in the proper areas.

For individuals looking to further their career in accounting, having a General Accountant Certificate can provide access to higher-level positions or promotions. Having a certificate shows that you are dedicated to your profession and have put in the extra effort needed to obtain it. This often results in higher salaries or better job opportunities than those who don’t have this certification. Additionally, having a certificate may also give you access to more specialized courses or certifications which could help you further develop your skillset and increase your value as an accountant.

In conclusion, obtaining a General Accountant Certificate is essential if you want to succeed in the accounting field. It offers numerous benefits both professionally and financially, so it’s definitely worth investing the time and effort into getting one.

Related: General Accountant Resume Examples

FAQs About General Accountant Certifications

1. What certifications are available in general accounting?

Answer: The most common certifications available in general accounting include the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

2. How do I become certified in general accounting?

Answer: To become certified in general accounting, you must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass a certification exam, and fulfill other requirements depending on the certification. For example, to become a CPA you will need to complete 150 semester hours of college credit, pass the CPA Exam, and receive a license from your state's board of accountancy.

3. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a general accountant certification?

Answer: Yes, each certification has different prerequisites that must be met before taking the certification exam. Generally speaking, most certifications require candidates to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and some professional experience.

4. How long does it take to obtain a general accountant certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain a general accountant certification varies depending on the specific requirements for each one. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete all of the necessary steps for obtaining a particular certification.

5. What is the difference between an accountant and a certified public accountant (CPA)?

Answer: An accountant is someone who performs financial tasks such as bookkeeping or tax preparation; they may or may not be licensed or have any formal education or credentials in accounting. A CPA is an individual who has passed the CPA Exam and received their license from their state's board of accountancy; they are qualified to perform more complex financial tasks such as auditing or consulting services.