An accountant is a person who keeps or inspects financial records. These professionals are organized and detail-oriented. Since they deal with money – sometimes significant amounts – accountants must also possess a high degree of integrity. And because they constantly interact with clients, accountants should be effective communicators.

Whether it’s the money-laundering stoner in "Weeds" or the dorky auditor in "Parks and Recreation," pop culture tends to portray an unsavory picture of accountants. But those in this profession make a pretty good living and have a lot of job security. After all, as long as people make money, they’ll need others to help them handle it.

Patty Pogemiller, managing director of global talent experience for Deloitte, one of the world’s "Big Four" accounting firms, writes in an email, "Problem solving skills are essential in a client business like professional services. Employers are looking for people who demonstrate an ability to think analytically and approach a problem in a structured and methodical way. Can they objectively analyze and solve an issue? And once they have a solution, they must have the ability to communicate it to others – their clients, managers and fellow team members."

In addition to preparing taxes for individuals, public accountants can also perform audits, prepare taxes and consult for corporations, nonprofit organizations and governments. Internal accountants create processes to find and eliminate financial waste and fraud. Management accountants record and analyze financial information. Government accountants – at the federal, state or local level – maintain records of government agencies and audit private businesses or individuals whose activities fall under government regulation or taxation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.4% employment growth for accountants between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 67,400 jobs should open up.

Becoming a trusted financial advisor takes a lot of preparation. Here’s how to get started:

1. Earn a degree. Accountants typically need at least a bachelor’s degree.
2. Get an advanced degree, too. Though not required, some employers may prefer that their accountants have a master’s degree in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting. Some universities and colleges offer a five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program.
3. Take the certified public accountant exam. The CPA exam is a four-part test issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. State requirements vary, and some require an ethics exam, too.
4. Keep up with continuing education. Continuing professional education is required to maintain a CPA license, and you’ll need to renew your license periodically.

Passing the CPA exam allows accountants to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, making them much more attractive to employers and potential clients. Christopher Ekimoff, Southeast region leader and director of financial investigations and dispute services for RSM, a global audit, tax and consulting firm, says, "Those three letters [CPA] really make your career. They will identify you in the marketplace, in the business world and in your career path as a professional willing to hold yourself to a higher standard and operate under a set of guidelines and principles that really set you apart."

In addition to the CPA designation, accountants may also want to pursue the certified management accountant certification, which requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of work in management accounting and passing an exam.

Other certifications that accountants may want to procure eventually include certified internal auditor and certified information systems auditor.