10 Best Certification Program for Accountants and Finance Professionals

The idea of money is integrated with management and business through accounting. The accounting field turns many people off because they feel they need more solid mathematical abilities. However, you will only sometimes require maths to be a success in accounting. Some talents needed to be a competent accountant are excellent communication, good analytical capabilities, computer familiarity, and interpersonal abilities. 

Multiple accounting certification programs are available on the market and each has particular advantages and addresses various accounting duties. Below mentioned are the ten best certification programs for accountants and finance professionals:

List of Top 10 Best Certification Program for Accountants and Finance Professionals:

1. Certified Management Accountant
2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
3. Certified Finance Manager
4. Certified Internal Auditor
5. ACCA
6. Certified Fraud Examiner
7. Certified Financial Planner
8. Certified Government Financial Manager
9. Charted Financial Analyst
10. Certified Cost Professional

1. Certified Management Accountant:

CMA is high value certification program which is suitable for professional who are working in management accounting or the professionals who are looking for a bright career in management accounting. CMA is the certification program approved by IMA (Institute of Management Accountant). CMA has two parts of examination to be certified as a IMA certified management accountant. CPAs concentrate on their work, which includes drafting audit reports and preparing tax returns. CMAs, in contrast, focus on management and executive-level responsibilities. 

CMAs also review budgets and assist organizations in deriving strategic business decisions. CMAs help senior executives in an organization make strategic decisions about the future of the business based on financial facts and information, which can assist an organization in creating long-term goals and more effectively allocating resources. If employed in an executive capacity, a CMA may also make financial choices on behalf of a corporation. 

2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA):

The program for accounting professionals that are highly recommended is Certified Public Accountant. The most often used credential worldwide is CPA. The CPA qualification is almost universal among accountants. A CPA is a financial expert who has been granted permission by a state body to offer accounting services to the general public. A CPA performs accounting tasks like tax prep, audits, and consulting. 

An accountant is a person who carries out accounting in a professional capacity. As a certified public accountant, you can consult with people and companies across various industries on financial and tax-related issues. One option is to specialize in a particular field, such as forensic services, taxes, or the healthcare sector. 

3.Certified Finance Manager:

CFM is appropriate for stock, investing, risk analysis, and financial education professionals. The best option after CMA certification is CFM. The CFM certification is strongly advised and will be of great interest to business owners and professionals who want to understand accounting principles and practices and any student interested in a future in accounting or finance. 

The Certified Finance Manager (CFM) certification is the first step toward a career in finance management and is intended to improve the skills of finance professionals. A solid understanding of finance can assist you in making wise decisions, whether intended to boost the organization’s top line or increase efficiencies to promote the organization’s bottom-line exam.

4. Certified Internal Auditor:

By its name, the CIA may be understood. Those who want to pursue financial auditing for businesses can apply for this certification. The best approach to communicate knowledge, abilities, and competencies to carry out professional obligations for any internal audit, anywhere in the globe, is to become a certified internal auditor, the only worldwide recognized internal audit credential. 

It is much more typical for CPAs to enter a firm from the outside to do auditing tasks, even if a corporation can directly engage them in an auditor job.

5. ACCA

ACCA is known as American Chartered Certified Accountants. Any accounting professionals and students can enroll in the ACCA certification program, the second most popular qualification after CMA and CPA. For beginning accountants, it is the most beneficial accounting certification program.

Starting with ACCA at the foundation level is a great place, whether you are just getting started in accounting and finance or are already working in finance but need more formal education. Whether you are hoping to start your career in finance or a finance professional wishing to build the strategic leadership skills to increase your earning potential, ACCA provides the ideal starting point for you.

6. Certified Fraud Examiner:

The professional qualification known as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is one that fraud examiners can obtain. CFEs, like CPAs, are subject to recurring obligations for continuing professional education (CPE). No particular field of study is necessary for certified fraud examiners. Nevertheless, students need at least two years of professional experience in a sector involving fraud detection or deterrent.

Loss prevention, accounting, legal, and auditing are promising professions. A points-based qualification process is used, and experience, professional affiliations, and education are all credited. For candidates to get the CFE designation, they must have 50 points and pass a certification exam. Certified fraud examiners carry out specialized accounting tasks. The ideal candidate for this post will have a strong background in accounting. To become a certified fraud examiner, a person must pass an exam and receive certification.

7. Certified Financial Planner:

A certified Financial Planner (CFP) signifies a formal acknowledgment of skill in taxation, insurance, estate planning, and retirement planning. The credential, owned and given out by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., is given to people who pass the initial tests offered by the CFP Board and then continue with ongoing annual education programs to maintain their knowledge and certification. 

Particularly in comparison to financial advisors, CFPs cover all bases. Typically, CFPs will begin the process by assessing your present financial situation, including any cash, assets, investments, or real estate, to estimate your income and net worth. Your liabilities, such as your mortgage and school loan debt, are also considered.

8. Certified Government Financial Manager:

More institutions offer Certified Government Financial Manager professional designation. At the federal, state, and local levels, it acknowledges a person’s proficiency in governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls, and budgeting. The CGFM certificate is a well-known one that believes the specialized training and expertise required to be a successful government finance manager.

You can increase your career options and set yourself apart from others in your field by becoming a CGFM. The CGFM certificate requires a bachelor’s degree from an authorized college or university. Consider earning a degree in government accounting, accounting, business, or finance if you are interested in pursuing a CGFM but have yet to decide on a major. The educational requirements are met by any valid bachelor’s degree.

9. Charted Financial Analyst:

You need the knowledge and abilities to succeed as an aspiring or working investment professional in a fiercely competitive industry. The CFA program is meant to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to improve your career in investment analysis. 

The three-part CFA program exam gauges candidates’ knowledge of investment instruments, asset valuation, portfolio management, and wealth planning basics. Most CFA program students have finance, accounting, economics, or business backgrounds.

10. Certified Cost Professional:

Using the general concepts and best practices of Total Cost Management (TCM) in the planning, implementation, and management of any organizational project or program requires the expertise of a Certified Cost Professional (CCP), a professional practitioner with advanced knowledge and technical competence, to do so. 

Additionally, CCPs exhibit the capacity to do research on and effectively convey TCM practices and concepts to all levels of project or program stakeholders, both internally and outside. You can be highly benefitted by getting the certificate after completing the course. 

Bottom Line:

Finally, choosing an accounting certification courses can improve your knowledge and skills in accounting, also it will help you to attain your certificate, but it is not sufficient for being a successful expert in accounting field, getting knowledge in other areas such as new technologies such as big data, cryptocurrency, business management, economics are essential for being a successful accounting professional. For example, if you want to go for a accounting job in software or data research company in Bangalore, having accounting certification is not alone essential to get job in these companies. Since data science and cryptocurrencies are playing major role in software companies, you needed to learn courses about cryptocurrency or getting data science course in Bangalore is essential for getting accounting job in software and IT related companies.

FAQ’s:

1. Why do you need to do an accounting course?

The accounting industry offers many employment opportunities, including auditing, tax, cost, and managerial accounting, all with professional qualifications. 

2. What are the significant benefits of learning accounting and financial courses?

Flexible career paths, high earning potential, graduate schemes, and training are the significant benefit of learning accounting and financial courses.

3. What is the future of finance and accounting?

There is a continuing need for accounting and finance graduates because the accounting sector is rapidly evolving, particularly with the rise of technology.