To become an accredited personal financial planning specialist, you’ll usually need more education, which usually entails first becoming a certified accountant and then earning a finance-related degree. When hiring for this type of job, many employers require an undergraduate degree in accounting or finance, but you might be able to get by with an associate’s degree. A master’s degree in accounting or finance, on the other hand, may give you a better chance of achieving your career objectives. In order to become accredited, you will most likely need to first earn certification, then take courses, gain more experience, and pass exams.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is usually required to become an accredited financial specialist. Many employers prefer to hire people with bachelor’s degrees, but you might be able to get a job with just an associate’s degree. However, pursuing graduate-level education in this field may be the best way to increase your chances of landing the job you want. This isn’t usually required, but it can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.
As you work toward becoming an accredited personal financial planning specialist, you’ll likely take a variety of courses that cover not only the fundamentals of accounting but also taxes and other business-related topics. Your degree program may also teach you about auditing and cover a variety of economics topics. You may also learn how to use computers for accounting-related tasks.
To work as an accredited personal financial planning specialist, you’ll usually need certification as a public accountant in addition to your education. The specific requirements for certification may vary depending on your jurisdiction and the organization that issues the credential. Many certification agencies will require proof that you have completed an accounting or finance-related educational program, with some requiring at least 120 credit hours. You may also require experience to obtain certification, which in some cases may require two or more years of accounting work. To become certified, you’ll almost certainly have to pass an exam or a series of exams.
After completing the requirements to become a certified public accountant (CPA), you will typically be required to complete a series of financial planning courses in order to become an accredited personal financial planning specialist, as well as gain at least two years of financial planning experience. You may then be required to pass a second exam that assesses your knowledge gained as a CPA and through financial planning classes. In many cases, you will need to join a certifying body in order to use this title.