An individual must have both education and experience to work as a fixed asset accountant. Many accounting jobs do not have strict requirements; for example, a bookkeeper can get a job and work his or her way up to a specific accounting position in a few years. However, because of the nature of the job, fixed asset accounting is required. A four-year accounting degree requires attendance at a traditional college or university. From there, new accountants should look for fixed asset accounting jobs that match their interests, such as tangible assets or investment-style asset accounting.
The best way to become a fixed asset accountant is to get a four-year accounting degree. Individuals with four-year degrees have a foundation in basic accounting, corporate finance, and business management. Individuals should look for bachelor of science or bachelor of business administration degrees with accounting specializations. A fixed asset specialization may be offered by a few educational institutions, which should be preferred by those seeking to become fixed asset accountants. However, this type of specialization is uncommon.
Getting a fifth year of education and then a professional license, such as the certified public accountant certification, is an option for those in the accounting field. The certified public accountant license is a globally recognized accounting certification that is frequently regarded as the industry’s top license. A fifth year of education may be required to obtain the certification on the path to becoming a fixed asset accountant, depending on local requirements. Businesses may not require new accountants to have a license, but having one can put them ahead of the competition. Other certifications may be available, depending on the job type and location of the position.
Fixed asset accounting is a subset of the accounting profession. Positions involving valuing long-term assets, computing depreciation schedules, and maintaining general ledger accounts related to fixed assets should be sought. An accounting analyst or a financial business analyst may be the title for this position. In either case, the position should be centered on long-term assets, particularly their acquisition and/or disposition. Individuals who want to work as a fixed asset accountant are usually drawn to large corporations.
The management of a company’s fixed asset investments is another fixed asset position. This position is typically offered by financial services firms because they have money to invest in other items or companies. However, it’s possible that the position won’t be as readily available as a traditional fixed accountant.