Talking the Talk
Learning the language of business requires more than math skills. Today’s CPAs possess strong communication and leadership skills—and they are business and technologically savvy.
CPAs often act as consultants or business advisors to organizations, so whether asked to help hire employees, put together a business plan or help a company restructure, critical thinking and a big-picture perspective is key.
Employers therefore seek analytical thinkers with well-rounded academic backgrounds combining liberal arts and science courses with solid accounting and business classes.
Other traits are common to many accounting professionals. They generally enjoy giving advice and meeting new people. They are problem-solvers, comfortable with numbers, prefer organized work environments, seek security and stability, have a sense of order and focus and are detail-oriented.
A strong sense of ethics and integrity also is required in today’s corporate world. When it comes to financial statements, superior ethics and honesty are valued above all else. Trusted, competent, reliable thinkers will rise to the top.
Education Requirements:
Accounting programs vary from school to school, but most are designed to help students develop the broad range of skills they will need as CPAs. Students need 150 hours of acceptable credit to sit for the
CPA exam in Illinois.
Graduates with a degree in accounting can begin working with four years of undergraduate college education. But if you want to go on to sit for the CPA Examination, you’ll have to obtain the 150 hours—which can be achieved through a five-year program.
In addition to your core accounting and business classes, you’ll need to take courses in finance, management, marketing, communications, economics, computer science, humanities and science in order to be a successful CPA.
