Aspiring accountants must complete a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, then pass two exams to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA): the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination (Uniform CPA Exam) and a Professional Ethics Exam. In most states, continuing education is required for CPAs to maintain their license. Intern at an accounting firm to gain experience in the field. Obtain an entry-level accounting position to develop your accounting skills. Part-time accountants work thirty-five hours or less a week. Some accountants choose to work part-time for personal reasons or to gain more work experience. Smaller companies that do not have a need for a full-time accountant may hire part-time accountants to handle their financial paperwork.