How to become a certified accountant in 4 steps

It's a complex and highly regulated area that requires specialised knowledge to ensure compliance with legal obligations and proper management of finances. In this context, the presence of a certified accountant in a company becomes indispensable.

A certified accountant is a professional who has the necessary expertise to deal with various activities. One of their main responsibilities is to ensure that the company complies with the tax and financial laws and regulations established by the Tax Authority.

These responsibilities include preparing and presenting accurate financial reports and complying with tax obligations, conducting internal audits to identify and correct possible faults, and providing strategic financial guidance to help management make decisions.

In addition to legal responsibilities, a certified accountant is also governed by a professional code of ethics. This involves acting with integrity, confidentiality, and impartiality, maintaining client trust and transparency in financial transactions.

Find out how to become a Certified Accountant in 4 steps:

1. This professional must fulfil certain requirements of the Order of Certified Accountants (OCC), namely have higher qualifications at degree level in Accounting, Management or Economics.
2. After this training, the graduate must complete an internship supervised by a certified accountant and then take the OCC exams to obtain a licence to practice the profession. Finally, they need to obtain recognition and registration from the OCC to be able to carry out their duties and work as a Certified Accountant in Portugal.
3. In addition to academic training, it is essential to follow international accounting standards and keep up to date and informed about changes in accounting legislation.
4. Training in specialised software is an asset in this area. With advances in technology, adopting certain newer programmes can help you carry out certain tasks more quickly and efficiently.

Digitising records also makes it easier to access and analyse financial information, providing a clearer and more up-to-date view of the company's financial situation.

If you're already an accounting professional but haven't yet found work in Portugal, hire a recruitment company specialising in finance and accounting. Fed Finance Portugal can accompany you and advise you throughout the recruitment process. Send us your application.