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Best Accounting Certifications to Boost Your Resume

By DeVry University

April 05, 2026
7 min read

Accounting certifications show employers and clients you’ve gained specialized knowledge and meet industry-recognized standards. Earning these credentials takes study, preparation, practical experience, and passing comprehensive exams — and they’re proof that you’ve put in the work to gain expertise in your chosen area.

There are several types of accounting certifications, and which ones you pursue will depend on your career goals and interests, as well as the industry you work in. Some of the most commonly pursued certifications include certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified internal auditor (CIA), and enrolled agent (EA).

To help you figure out which path fits your career goals, here’s a look at what each certification involves, what it takes to earn it, and how it can help you grow your career.

Certified public accountant

The certified public accountant (CPA) designation is one of the most widely recognized credentials in the accounting profession — and earning this certification can be one of the most impactful steps you can take in your accounting career. This accounting certification expands the types of work you can do, from auditing and tax strategy to forensic accounting and leadership roles.

To become a CPA,¹ accountants typically need to:

Meet state education requirements (around 150 semester hours; varies by state)
Complete specific accounting and business coursework
Pass all 4 sections of the Uniform CPA Exam
Gain 2,000 hours of supervised accounting experience
Apply for licensure through the state board of accountancy

The CPA exam consists of 4 sections:

Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Regulation (REG)

Because the CPA exam is rigorous, earning this designation signals to employers and clients that you have advanced knowledge, sound judgment, and high ethical standards.

Preparing for the CPA exam takes consistency and the right study approach, which is why many candidates rely on structured review courses like those found in our Graduate Certificate in Accounting Certification Preparation.¹ A dedicated exam prep program can support you in strengthening key concepts and working toward the credit hours needed to sit for the exam. Requirements differ across states, so it’s important to check with your state board to understand your specific path.

Certified management accountant

A certified management accountant (CMA) specializes in analyzing internal financial data to guide budgeting, financial planning, and strategic decision-making. This accounting certification is valuable for roles in corporate finance, management accounting, or financial leadership.

Earning a CMA credential requires:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Passing a 2-part exam covering financial planning, performance, analytics, and strategic financial management
2 years of relevant work experience in management accounting or financial management

Our Graduate Certificate in Accounting Certification Preparation with a Certified Management Accountant Exam Preparation Specialization can help you prepare for the CMA exam with focused courses in financial forecasting, budgeting, risk management, corporate finance, and capital budgeting techniques.

Chartered financial analyst

A chartered financial analyst (CFA) is one of the most respected credentials in the finance world, often viewed as a gold standard for accounting and finance professionals. Earning this designation shows expertise in investment analysis, portfolio management, and ethical decision-making — and it can open doors to roles in asset management, investment banking, and corporate finance.

The path to earning a CFA is rigorous and includes:

Passing 3 exams covering finance basics, advanced investment analysis, and portfolio management
Several months of study in preparation for each exam level
Meeting the CFA Institute’s requirement of 4,000 hours of qualified professional experience completed over a minimum of 3 years

Earning the CFA credential is a significant time commitment, but the depth of knowledge and global industry recognition make it a worthy pursuit for finance professionals looking to work in fields where advanced financial insight is highly valued. Building foundational knowledge in areas like credit management, insurance analysis, and financial planning through an accredited finance program is the first step toward specialized goals like the CFA.

Certified internal auditor

A certified internal auditor (CIA) is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in evaluating internal controls, understanding risk management, and helping organizations operate ethically and efficiently. This designation is especially valuable if you’re interested in working in auditing and governance roles across corporate, nonprofit, or government sectors.

To earn the CIA credential, candidates typically need to:

Have a bachelor’s degree
Pass a 3-part exam covering internal audit essentials, practice, and business knowledge
Document relevant experience, typically 12 to 24 months of internal audit-related work, depending on education level

Preparing for the CIA exam requires a strong understanding of accounting, audit principles, and risk management. A graduate certificate in accounting can be helpful if you want to deepen your foundational knowledge in auditing standards and procedures, corporate finance, and GAAP principles.

Enrolled agent

An enrolled agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax professional authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS in audits, collections, and appeals. As experts in federal tax matters, EAs play a key role in helping individuals and businesses navigate complex tax laws. They have unlimited practice rights — meaning they can represent all taxpayers and handle all tax matters before any IRS office.

To earn an EA credential, candidates must:

Pass the 3-part Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) covering individual tax, business tax, and representation practices or
Qualify without taking the exam as a former IRS employee with at least 5 years of relevant experience

EAs also need a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) from the IRS and must complete 72 hours of continuing education every 3 years.

Certified information systems auditor

Accountants with a certified information systems auditor (CISA) certification are qualified to monitor and protect an organization’s information technology and business systems. This accounting certification may be a good choice if you’re interested in IT and security.

To qualify for the CISA exam, the following are required:

Complete 5 years of work experience in information systems auditing, security, or control
Pass a 4-hour exam covering information systems including auditing, IT governance, information systems operations, and protection of information assets

This is an important designation to consider if you are interested in working in areas such as IT risk and assurance, public accounting auditing, or cyber security.

Certified fraud examiner

A certified fraud examiner (CFE) specializes in uncovering, investigating, and preventing fraud. This designation signifies knowledge in areas like forensic accounting and fraud prevention.

To earn the CFE credential, you must:

Have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent amount of professional experience in a fraud-related field
Complete 2 years of work experience
Pass a 4-part exam covering financial transactions and fraud schemes, law, investigation, and fraud prevention and deterrence

As a CFE, you may work in local, state, and federal government or in private sector banking, finance, insurance, accounting, or bookkeeping.

Chartered global management accountant

The chartered global management accountant certification (CGMA) was created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in Europe as an alternative to the CMA. This designation demonstrates expertise in management accounting with a broader, more global focus.

Requirements for earning a CGMA vary based on background and location but typically include:

Membership in the AICPA or CIMA
Passing the CGMA exam
3 years of relevant work experience following the exam

Similar to a certified management accountant, the CGMA prepares you for roles in financial analysis, planning, and accounting.

Best accounting certifications for your goals

The best accounting certifications for you are the ones that align with your career goals. No matter which certification you pursue, when combined with the right education and experience, these credentials can expand your career options, boost earning potential, and help your resume stand out to employers.

As you move through your career, earning additional certifications can help you specialize further, move into leadership roles, or pivot into new areas of accounting and finance for additional opportunities.

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¹Credits and degrees earned from DeVry, including Keller, do not automatically qualify the holder to sit for professional licensing exams to practice certain professions. For example, the educational requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure and/or certification vary by state (and U.S. territory). The differences in the number of accounting course hours and the specific accounting course topics required may impact a student's ability to sit for the Uniform CPA exam and apply for licensure in different jurisdictions. Students interested in practicing a regulated profession must contact the appropriate state regulatory agency for licensing requirements in their field of interest, and Students are responsible for contacting the state board of accountancy for the jurisdiction in which they are applying to confirm whether they have completed the appropriate credit hours and coursework to qualify to take the CPA exam. DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management are not able to advise on or determine if or when any student may be eligible to sit for the CPA exam or otherwise satisfy licensing criteria in any state. Visit https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-consumer-info.html#cpa for additional information.