Accountant · Job Checklist

Accountant Career Checklist

Everything you need to launch your accounting career, from CPA exam registration to your first audit engagement. Education verification, state board applications, firm recruiting timelines, software proficiency requirements, and professional development milestones. 120+ actionable items.

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Before Starting Your Career

Education & CPA Prep


Complete 150 credit hours from accredited institution

Verify your state's specific CPA requirements (education, experience, ethics exam)

Apply to your state Board of Accountancy

Register for CPA exam through NASBA/Prometric

Purchase CPA review course (Becker, Roger, Wiley, or Surgent)

Technical Skills


Proficiency in Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros at minimum)

Familiarity with accounting software (QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle)

Understanding of GAAP and basic IFRS frameworks

Data analytics basics (SQL, Power BI, or Tableau is a differentiator)

Preview shows 2 of 8 sections. Full checklist includes 120+ items covering CPA exam prep, firm recruiting, first-year goals, and career advancement.