Accounting Certifications Employers Really Want to See

Accounting Certifications Employers Really Want to See

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Certified Public Accountant

The CPA license is the most popular accounting certification for accounting and finance roles in the United States. This designation validates your expertise in tax, compliance, risk management, forensic accounting and other areas. Granted by: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Estimated cost: $3,000 to $4,500, depending on the state 

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Certified Public Accountant

and the cost of a CPA Review Course (recommended) Prerequisites: Typically five years of higher education (bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or finance plus additional courses necessary to reach 150 credit hours), plus verified work experience Exam requirements: Four levels; can be taken in any order Time to certification: Passing 

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Certified Public Accountant

the CPA exam usually takes a year; exam and license requirements vary by state but include one to two years of verified work experience for a licensed CPA. Ongoing requirements: Requirements for continuing professional education (CPE) courses vary by state. Who should get it: This designation is a versatile one, as CPAs work in public 

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Certified Public Accountant

accounting, management accounting, governmental accounting, taxation, financial advisory, compliance and other areas. The CPA is highly valued throughout the accounting industry, and some companies require it for managerial jobs. If you know you want to make your career in accounting, the CPA is the primary credential to pursue.

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Certified Management Accountant

Professionals who hold the globally recognized Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential, established in the 1970s, are often financial decision-makers for their company and demonstrate a mastery of critical accounting, financial planning and analysis skills. Granted by: Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

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Certified Management Accountant

Estimated cost: $1,475 to $3,500 for the membership fee, entrance and exam fees, study materials and a review course (optional) Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree and two consecutive years in financial management or management accounting Exam requirements: Two-part, eight-hour exam Time to certification: Typically one to two years; up to

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Certified Management Accountant

three years allowed Ongoing requirements: 30 hours of CPE credits per year Who should get it: Many accountants choose to get both the CPA and the CMA, as there is considerable overlap in the exam topics. The CMA is often considered a more practical application of the theoretical concepts tested in the CPA exams and is recommended for accountants in the corporate 

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Certified Management Accountant

sector, particularly in large, multinational companies.

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Chartered Global Management Accountant

The Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) financial certification is a global designation for CPAs working in business and government that was introduced in 2012. It’s an achievement that demonstrates your competency in management accounting skills and your expertise in developing strategies that connect all aspects of the business.

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Chartered Global Management Accountant

Granted by: Both AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Estimated cost: Through AICPA, $3,200 to $5,700 for membership, exam fee, CGMA Finance Leadership Program prep course Prerequisites: AICPA membership (Western Hemisphere) plus three years of relevant practical 

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Chartered Global Management Accountant

management accounting experience; CIMA members (Eastern Hemisphere) are already qualified. Exam requirements: The AICPA exam is a three-hour case study requiring long-form, written answers; the CIMA path features a 12-part exam. Time to certification: Exams are offered four times a year; results are released within four weeks; AICPA emphasizes 

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Chartered Global Management Accountant

that its mandatory leadership course is online and provides 1-, 2- or 3-year licenses that allow busy professionals to study at a pace that works for their schedule. Ongoing requirements: Continuing professional development courses and membership in good standing Who should get it: Finance and accounting professionals who want their experience and 

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Chartered Global Management Accountant

skills recognized throughout the world; AICPA/CIMA membership also includes education, research, scenario-planning tools and networking opportunities.

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Certified Internal Auditor

The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the only internationally accepted designation for the internal auditor career path. People who hold this financial certification demonstrate expertise in areas such as information technology and risk and control. Granted by: Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Estimated cost: $850 to $1,750 for application and exam fees, 

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Certified Internal Auditor

and prep course Prerequisites: A master’s degree and one year of internal audit experience, a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience, or five years of experience Exam requirements: Three levels, with a total exam time of 6.5 hours Time to certification: Typically a year to 18 months, but up to three years are allowed; 

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Certified Internal Auditor

requires an estimated 130 hours of study time Ongoing requirements: 40 CPE credits are required annually, but some credits earned can help meet requirements for multiple Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) certificates. Who should get it: The CIA is useful for internal auditors, particularly those who want to become managers or chief audit executives.

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Certified Fraud Examiner

he Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation is beneficial for finance professionals focused on anti-fraud endeavors across private and public agencies. Passing the exam demonstrates strong knowledge in four key areas: fraud prevention and deterrence, financial transactions and fraud schemes; law; and investigation.

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Certified Fraud Examiner

Fraud examiners holding the CFE designation earn 34% more than their noncertified peers. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, nearly 90% of Fortune 500 companies employ at least one CFE. Granted by: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Estimated cost: $650-$1,700 for the exam fee, membership dues and a prep course (optional)

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Certified Fraud Examiner

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree (or substitute two years of experience for each year of education short of four years) and two years of experience in a field directly or indirectly related to the detection and deterrence of fraud Exam requirements: Four two-hour sections, take one or two sections at a time, maximum of three attempts at each section Time to certification: 60 days

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Certified Fraud Examiner

to complete all four parts of the exam once you schedule the first section Ongoing requirements: Earn 20 CPE credit hours in a 12-month period Who should get it: The CFE is valuable for accountants, auditors, and other financial professionals whose responsibilities include detecting and deterring fraud. ACFE research indicates that 

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Certified Fraud Examiner

organizations with CFEs on staff uncover fraud 50 percent sooner and experience fraud losses that are 62 percent smaller.

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