Accounting Consultants Education and Training

Learn how to provide accounting consulting services

Accounting consultants' training starts with obtaining accounting education. These accountants often work in their own businesses, aiding clients in improving accounting practices and troubleshooting problems. They may also work for an accounting consultancy firm. Accounting consulting services are necessary for small business owners as well as corporate entities with specialized needs. An individual may wish to train in a specific area of accounting or train more generally to fit a broader client base. When considering accounting consulting, keep the following  things in mind.

1. Get educated for accounting consulting firms offering general bookkeeping and accounting services.

2. Learn accounting consultancy specific to tax codes for businesses.

3. Train as accounting consultants specifically working in corporate accounting.

 

Work toward accounting consulting through college-level degree programs

Most individuals will take college-level courses in accounting as a first step in an accounting career. These programs are initially available at the Associate and Bachelor level, with Master's programs available for further study. Students learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping, accounting and the functions necessary to run a company's accounting department. These skills may later be used to run an accountancy consulting business.
Try: Become an accountant expert. Education and training for Bachelor-level accounting degrees is available through Potomac College in Washington, DC, and Virginia. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a one-year accounting degree program and a Master's degree program. The UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School accounting program is one of the top-ranked in the country.

Obtain training for CPA consulting

CPA consultants are licensed individuals able to provide accounting services and advice to businesses. It is essential to have CPA licensing to provide these specialized services to clients as a consultant. After obtaining a college degree, CPA licensing programs can prepare an individual for the CPA exam.
Try: Give accounting advice only after obtaining a CPA license. Becker CPA Review offers courses and products to prepare individuals for the CPA exam. These review courses are available in class format or online. Some programs are available in CD-ROM format. TrainUp offers a large number of CPA training and review courses; some are in seminar format others are e-learning opportunities.

Find an internship program with an accounting consulting company

There's nothing better than gaining experience as an accounting consultant by working as an intern for a good accounting consultancy company.
Try: Hook up with an accounting consulting firm after obtaining business management training and become part of its internship program. Check out the AccountingMajors website for links to accounting firms that offer paid internships. Also, the Recruiting Fly offers tips on how to apply for accounting internships. You should also check with your college or university to see if it has contacts for internships in cost accounting.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---