Learn How to Choose the Right Accounting Certifications

There are two parts to this course. You get 3 years to pass both the parts. And if you fail, you need to re-register for the course.

 

CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)

The CFE is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the anti-fraud profession. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners conducts the exam of GFE. The course comprises a 2,000-page guide that is required to cover by anti-fraud professionals for the following purposes.

  • Fraud anticipation and prevention
  • Financial transactions and fraud schemes
  • Investigation
  • Law

The earnings of Certified Fraud Examiners in the US vary from $37,360 to $112,140, with a median pay of $66,670.

CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)

 

If you want to excel in the auditing field, the CIA is a worthy certification that pays you a handsome salary. After getting proper education and 12 months of work experience, you can apply for this designation if you are a Master’s degree holder. For bachelor’s degree, it requires 24 months of work experience. If you don’t have a bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you can still apply for this certification, but you need 60 months of work experience in internal auditing. 

CIA exam comprises three parts:

  • essentials of internal auditing
  • the practice of internal auditing 
  • business knowledge for internal auditing

This exam is much difficult, and the pass percentage is 40% from the last three years. 

CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

CISA Certification will complement substantial value to your profile and benefit you in excelling a professional path for yourself in the IT industry. CISA certified specialists are well respected in every organization. Their salary appraisal and acknowledgment are much higher than the non-certified staff. 

To CISA designation, you need to pass the exam and need work experience in the relevant field. When you get certified, the education does not stop here. Due to changing nature of IT, you need to keep yourself updated to maintain your certification with 20 hours of ongoing specialized education annually and 120 hours every three years.

Which Accounting Certification is the Best?

Getting a CPA certification enables you to apply in public accounting, international corporations, banks, and financial institutions. Every organization needs CPAs. However, other specialized certifications are also well paid and highly respected. It depends upon your interest in a particular field, the time to complete certification, and the cost of acquiring the education as well.

Accounting is a dull job that involves a lot of math, time management, analytical skills, and some stressful period of the year at the time of tax year closure. However, people who have the aptitude and can dedicate their time, energy, and focus solely on their careers should certainly specialize in accounting certification to earn a handsome remuneration.