Which Accounting Online Training Certification Is The Right For You?
The most important consideration in selecting your professional certification is which certification will help YOU achieve YOUR career objectives. To obtain the proper accounting online training certification, you must first ask yourself:
- What do you hope to do in the future?
- Do you want to be the chief audit executive in ten years if you are currently an internal auditor?
- Do you want to be a finance director in 5 years if you are currently in the accounting department?
- Or, perhaps, instead of aspire to a high position in a large corporation, you want to start your own business in three years and be your own boss?
There are a few well-known international certifications that will provide you with numerous benefits by opening doors in a variety of industries and professions.
CMA (Certified Management Accountant) –
This is the most useful certification for someone who isn’t sure where they want to be in five years but knows they want to be in the field of accounting or finance or in a management level position in a company. The CMA syllabus is based on how a business operates and the decisions that a manager must make in a business. The CMA content teaches an individual much more about business operations and the needs of business decision-makers. Understanding how management operates a business will eventually assist an individual in adding value to the business. And it will not limit you to only accounting or finance, because the syllabus covers many aspects of a business’s operations.
The CMA certification is a great choice for those who want to work in management or as an internal expert within a company. Professionals with only a CMA are more likely to work for a manufacturing firm or a small business rather than a large accounting firm. If you already have other certifications, earning the CMA may allow you to increase your salary.
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) –
If you want to work as an internal auditor, you must obtain the CIA certification. This is without a doubt. If you want to work as an auditor, becoming CIA-certified may help you advance in your career. The CIA exam is less expensive and faster than the CPA exam, making it more accessible. Many CIA-certified professionals work for publicly traded or private companies. There are also many federal jobs that require either CIA or CPA certification. Auditors are in high demand in accounting, so you could use your CIA to advance your career in any field.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) –
If you want to work for an external audit firm or in senior positions in a large multinational’s finance department, you may need to be a CPA. However, if you received your education outside of the United States, it is very likely that you will not be eligible for CPA. Before investing any time or money in CPA preparation, please ensure that you will be eligible for BOTH taking the exam and receiving your CPA license.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) –
It is for the same people as CPA, but has fewer eligibility requirements. It also, unfortunately, has many more exams for which you must either be exempt or pass. It is possible that you will need to study for years in order to pass your ACCA Exams.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) –
If you want to work in investment banking, you should become a CFA.
CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) –
This is a top management accounting certification. Unfortunately, it, like ACCA, has a large number of exams that you must either be exempt from or pass.
CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) –
This certification focuses on government funds and the qualifications required to receive, account for, and manage them. Professionals who are CGFM-certified focus on internal control and risk management, and the certification demonstrates that you have a higher level of knowledge in these areas of specification. Because of the number of federal jobs or organizations that work with the federal government, such as contractors and non-profit organizations, there is a high demand for these professionals in the Washington, D.C. area. It is a lower-level certification than a CPA or CIA, but it is much faster and can be a valuable asset if you want to work in government accounting.
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) –
One of the most in-demand fields is cybersecurity, and a CISA-certified professional can bridge the gap between cybersecurity and accounting. This certification is applicable to any company looking for professionals who can help keep their networks secure financially. CISA is a highly regarded IT certification that allows you to work for almost any company or organization.
If you are looking for the best accounting online training certification, visit us at Universal Accounting School!