Question:

Will Accounting Continuing Education Help My Career?

How Accounting Continuing Education Will Help Your Career

Pursuing accounting continuing education will give a major boost to your career. This is particularly true if you work for a larger company, where you are surrounded by peers equally interested in upwardly mobile career tracks. Promotional and compensation increases follow those with more educational credentials and experience. There is no hard data regarding how much your compensation will increase as a result of your completion of accounting cpe courses since they are available for numerous accounting-related areas like financial analysis, auditing, enrolled agent (IRS), information technology, etc. The reason for your pursuing accountant cpe may also help you solidify your education direction.

For instance, if you are a CPA, most states have a continuing education for CPA requirement. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants also mandates an accountant cpe requirement to retain membership in the national organization. States' requirements for minimum accounting cpe vary so check your state society of CPAs. Many necessary requirements to keep your license are in the range of a minimum 20 to 25 cpe's per year. Your total requirement may be in excess of 100 cpe's over a three to four year period.

If you are looking to change employers or areas of specialization, you might want to work with one of the national employment services specializing in placing accounting executives and also offering recommended accounting cpe courses. For example, international search firm, Robert Half Finance and Accounting, offers an assortment of accounting continuing education options through its main website (roberthalffinance.com). Earning some cpe's through their referral can only help your standing with them as you improve your career with a new position.

Since all accountants are originally schooled identically, completion of accounting cpe courses and/or earning certificates of specialty will enhance your career with new promotion possibilities with your current and future employers.