5 Reasons to Consider Becoming a Certified Public Accountant
Are you still unsure about what career path to pursue? If you don’t have problems with crunching numbers, then you should definitely consider becoming a certified public accountant. It’s not surprising that CPAs earn well, but there are other reasons to build a CPA career other than the enticing salary. Of course, the road wouldn’t be easy. You need to get a degree and then pass the licensure exam to receive the official designation. If you’re still unsure, keep reading to learn the five best reasons to become a CPA.
1) Enjoy a high salary
Regular accountants already earn respectable salaries, but you can take things up a notch by becoming a CPA. In general, you can expect a salary increase of 10 to 15 percent. Most firms would be more than happy to offer bonus packages to certified accountants. And you’ll always have the edge over regular accountants during the hiring process. Even if you decide to become an independent CPA, your license means you can charge more for your services.
2) Explore different job opportunities
One of the best things about being a CPA is that you can work in a variety of fields. Even if you start working for a private company, there’s no reason not to switch to a non-profit organization. Government agencies, start-ups, and big corporations all need the knowledge and skills of a certified public accountant. If you want, you can even take on a very niche-specific job for CPA. For instance, you can become a forensic CPA, working with law enforcement agencies to analyze and follow “money trails.”
3) Fuel your career growth
Without question, CPAs have more career options compared to unlicensed accountants. For instance, only CPAs can represent a client to the IRS and sign legal documents to be submitted to the SEC for publicly traded companies. Some companies even cover the cost of the CPA exam for their regular accountants because they understand how they can become valuable assets once they gain their license.
4) Gain respect
Becoming a CPA comes with a certain degree of respect and prestige. After all, it’s the highest level you can achieve as an accountant. Not only will you be respected by your friends and family, but you’ll also gain the respect of future employers, clients, and workmates. It is also a confidence booster knowing that you’ve passed the CPA exam, making you feel like you can tackle any challenges that come your way.
5) Get job security
Many students worry about not being able to find a job after graduating. But if you become a certified public accountant, this wouldn’t be a problem. As noted earlier, all kinds of organizations across different industries would benefit from a CPA. Surely, it’s a secure profession due to its high demand. You can also decide to work for yourself, giving you more flexibility. Taking this route means enjoying more control over your career, more time freedom, and greater job security compared to working for traditional employers.