Maggie DeShazor ⋅ Washington, DC Deloitte ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi Josh - Thank you for your service. As far as accounting courses or certifications, with a major in Accounting, are you considering becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)? For an accountant, a CPA will apply across the profession. The specific certifications or courses that would be helpful will also vary depending on what field(s) you are interested in. Deloitte has a Forensic and Investigations function, in which the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certifications are favorable, but those may not cross all areas like a CPA would. There are other certifications, such as Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), that will apply to certain professional areas.

You can also look at job postings in the areas that interest you and, usually, at the bottom of the posting it will have additional items that "an ideal candidate" will possess, which can include certifications. As an example, the Deloitte job posting on AdvisorNet for a Federal Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations Consultant includes having a CPA license as an ideal candidate point, whereas the posting for a Federal Business Valuation and Capital Efficiencies Consultant lists DAU Cost Analysis or ICEAA Certifications. Looking at the specific postings within your area of interest will give you some good insight.

Also, in addition to specific accounting certifications, you can look into certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), which will help you stand out, as the certifications show specific experience and training that can be leveraged.

Ann Law ⋅ Arlington, VA Deloitte ⋅ 13 years experience

Hi Josh - A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license would definitely be a great addition to your resume. Each state's licensing eligibility and requirements differ, and can be found within the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website: https://nasba.org/licensure/gettingacpalicense/howtogetlicensed/

matt widmer ⋅ Arlington, VA Deloitte ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Josh. Are you pursuing a CPA? The certifications you should consider are directly tied to the career you are pursuing. For example, an audit career would require a CPA. A budgeting manager may not necessarily require a CPA but might ask for some type of financial management certification.