Think You Need an Accounting Degree to Be an Accountant?

Think You Need an Accounting Degree to Be an Accountant? Think Again.

Introduction:

That image of the accountant, surrounded by ledgers and tax forms, is a powerful one. For many, it comes with a assumed prerequisite: a four-year degree in Accounting. It’s the classic, straightforward path. But what if your journey with numbers took a different turn? What if you graduated with a degree in Finance?

If you’re staring at your finance diploma, feeling a pull towards the structured, impactful world of accounting but worried you took a wrong turn, take a deep breath. Here’s the truth you need to hear: Your dream of becoming an accountant is not only alive and well—your finance degree might just be your secret weapon.

Let’s dismantle the myth and map out your path from finance grad to successful accountant.

Finance and Accounting: Two Sides of the Same Coin

First, it’s crucial to understand that finance and accounting aren’t distant cousins; they’re siblings in the business family. They speak the same language but have different accents.

Accounting is the foundation. It’s the art of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions. Accountants are the historians of the business world, creating a precise and reliable record of what has already happened. They ensure financial statements are accurate, taxes are paid, and the financial landscape of a company is clear and compliant.
Finance is the future. It uses the information prepared by accountants to analyze, interpret, and make strategic decisions. Finance professionals are the forecasters, deciding what should happen next—where to invest, how to raise capital, and how to manage risk for future growth.

See the connection? The accountant builds the puzzle. The finance professional looks at the completed picture and decides what to do with it. Your finance degree has already given you a critical understanding of the end goal, which makes you uniquely positioned to understand the why behind the accounting work.

Your Finance Degree is a Strength, Not a Weakness

Don’t underestimate the value you already bring to the table. Your curriculum has armed you with a powerful set of skills that are directly transferable to an accounting role:

Analytical Prowess: You’re trained to dissect financial statements, assess company health, and interpret data trends. This big-picture perspective is invaluable.
Grasp of Financial Fundamentals: You understand the time value of money, risk management, and financial markets. This context elevates you beyond simple data entry.
Business Acumen: Your studies focused on how money drives business strategy, making you a strategic thinker from day one.

Employers are increasingly seeking this blend of skills. A candidate who can not only prepare a budget (accounting) but also analyze its efficiency and suggest improvements (finance) is a tremendous asset.

The Practical Path: Bridging the Gap from Finance to Accountant

Okay, so it’s possible. But how do you actually do it? While your degree is a strong foundation, there is a knowledge gap you need to bridge. The core accounting curriculum—deep GAAP/IFRS principles, advanced auditing, and taxation—is essential. Here are the most effective ways to get those credits and that knowledge.

1. The Master’s in Accounting (MAcc): The Comprehensive Fast-Pass
This is the gold standard for career-changers. A Master of Accounting program is specifically designed for students without an undergraduate accounting degree. In one to two years, it will:

Provide all the advanced accounting knowledge you need.
Fulfill the 150-credit hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam in most states.
Offer intense recruitment opportunities, especially with Big 4 accounting firms who actively recruit from these programs.

2. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: The Focused & Affordable Option

If a full master’s program feels like too much, a post-bacc certificate in accounting is a brilliant alternative. These programs are shorter, less expensive, and laser-focused on giving you the specific accounting courses you lack. They are perfectly tailored to help you meet your state’s CPA education requirements without the extra cost of a graduate degree.

3. Strategic Community College Courses: The DIY Approach

For the budget-conscious and self-directed, taking individual courses at a local community college can be a great way to chip away at the requirements. A word of caution: you must be incredibly organized. Before enrolling, you need to get the specific course requirements from your state’s Board of Accountancy and ensure the community college courses will be accepted. This path requires more legwork but offers maximum flexibility.

The Golden Ticket: Getting Your CPA License

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the CPA license. It is the single most important credential for an accountant, and it’s 100% achievable for you.

The biggest hurdle for finance grads is meeting the “150-hour rule” and the specific number of accounting and business credit hours. This is where the paths above (MAcc, Post-Bacc, etc.) come into play. Your step-by-step plan looks like this:

Audit Your Transcript: Compare your completed courses against the requirements listed on your state’s Board of Accountancy website.
Fill the Gaps: Enroll in one of the programs mentioned above to get the missing credits.
Gain Experience: Secure an entry-level accounting role (like Staff Accountant) and work under a licensed CPA for the required period (usually one year).
Conquer the Exam: Study for and pass the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.

Becoming a CPA with a finance background is a powerful combination. It signals that you possess both the meticulousness of an accountant and the strategic mind of a financier.

What If You Don’t Want the CPA? Other Credentials to Consider

The CPA is the pinnacle, but it’s not the only path. Your finance background makes you a great candidate for other prestigious certifications:

Certified Management Accountant (CMA): Ideal if you’re drawn to corporate accounting and financial analysis. It focuses on financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA): Perfect for a career in internal audit, a field that values a deep understanding of business risk and control—areas your finance degree covers.
Enrolled Agent (EA): A top-tier credential for a career in tax, granted by the IRS. It demonstrates expertise in tax law.

Your Career Awaits: Where You Can Go

With your plan in place, what doors will open? Virtually all of them.

Public Accounting: Start in audit or tax at a firm (from a global giant to a local practice).
Corporate Accounting: Thrive as a Staff Accountant, Financial Analyst, Internal Auditor, or Cost Accountant. Your finance background will help you rapidly advance into management roles.
Government & Non-Profit: Find fulfilling work with the IRS, FBI, SEC, or countless local government agencies.

Conclusion: Think You Need an Accounting Degree to Be an Accountant? Think Again.

So, let go of the outdated idea that your career path was set in stone the day you declared your major. The world of business is more dynamic than that. Your Finance degree isn’t a barrier; it’s a launchpad. It has given you a strategic, big-picture perspective that, when combined with the disciplined skills of accounting, makes you a uniquely valuable and hybrid professional.

The path is clear, the resources are available, and the demand for your combined skill set is high. All that’s left is to take that first step. Audit your transcript, research a program, and start building the accounting career you now know is well within your reach.

Rohit Vagh

My name is Rohit Vagh and I’m a content writer specializing in fashion and lifestyle. I have three years of experience in this field and have written various articles. My writing style is creative and engaging, and I strive to create content that resonates with my readers. I have a deep passion for fashion and am constantly researching the latest trends and styles to make sure my readers are up to date. I’m excited to continue my career in blogging, and I’m always looking for new opportunities in the fashion and lifestyle space.

Think You Need an Accounting Degree to Be an Accountant? Think Again.