How to Become an Accountant With No Experience (Fastest Path in 2026)

If you want to become an accountant with no experience, but you want to move quickly and start earning, this guide is for you. It lays out a practical, realistic, and fast-moving roadmap you can follow in 3 to 12 months depending on how much time you dedicate. I cover exactly what employers look for in entry-level accounting roles, the best short courses and certificates to get, how to build supporting proof (portfolio, sample work, small projects), where to find your first paid work, and how to progress into higher-paying roles. I include real-life case scenarios to show how other people used the same steps to land their first accounting roles.

This article answers common search intent queries such as how to become an accountant fast, what the quickest accounting certifications are, where to find entry-level accounting jobs, and how to show accounting experience when you have none. Follow this plan and you can go from zero experience to hired, billable, and confident.

Quick overview the fastest path summarized

You can reach an entry-level accounting role quickly if you follow a focused sequence:

Learn foundational accounting basics and Excel (4–6 weeks)
Get a short, credible certificate or microcredential (4–8 weeks)
Build a small portfolio of simulated work and templates (1–2 weeks)
Apply for internships, junior bookkeeping, or remote entry roles aggressively (ongoing)
Use freelancing platforms and local SMEs to get paid work while you learn (ongoing)

This is a practical, skill-first approach that emphasizes demonstrable ability over waiting for years of traditional experience.

Why employers hire people with no experience and what they actually want

Employers who hire accounting beginners usually want these things more than a long CV:

Basic technical competence: can you post transactions, do bank reconciliations, and produce a simple trial balance?
Spreadsheet skills: can you use Excel or Google Sheets for basic formulas, pivot tables, and simple reporting?
Familiarity with at least one accounting software: QuickBooks Online, Xero, Wave, or another cloud tool.
Attention to detail and reliability: accounting is process-driven; employers hire people they can trust to follow steps accurately.
Communication and a willingness to learn: remote roles especially value clear messages and responsiveness.

If you show all of the above through a short certificate, a few sample files, and quick tests, you become a compelling hire even without past employment.

The fastest learning timeline and weekly plan

This timeline assumes full-time dedication. If you study part-time, multiply the weeks accordingly.

Weeks 1–4 Foundation
Spend the first month learning core accounting concepts and Excel basics. Focus topics:

Double entry bookkeeping (debits and credits)
Chart of accounts basics
Journal entries, ledgers, trial balance
Bank reconciliation process
Basic financial statements: income statement and balance sheet
Excel basics: SUM, AVERAGE, SUMIF, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, pivot table

Resources: free courses on YouTube, Khan Academy, Coursera audit mode, and software vendor tutorials.

Weeks 5–10 Certification and software practice
Pick one short, highly-recognized certificate and practice a cloud accounting tool. Examples:

QuickBooks Online Certification beginner course
Xero Advisor short course and demonstration company practice
Coursera “Introduction to Financial Accounting” (if you prefer a university brand)

Simultaneously create demo companies inside QuickBooks or Xero and post transactions, run reconciliation, and prepare a basic monthly report.

Weeks 11–14 Portfolio and micro-projects
Build 5–7 sample deliverables you can show:

A sample chart of accounts for a small retail business
A bank reconciliation (sample bank statement and reconciliation sheet)
A simple monthly P&L and balance sheet prepared from your demo company
A basic cash flow projection in Excel
A bookkeeping checklist or SOP you would use as a junior bookkeeper

Weeks 15+ Job search and paid gigs
Start applying widely: internships, junior bookkeeping roles, freelance gigs on Upwork/Fiverr, local small businesses, and remote job boards. Keep applying daily and use your portfolio in every application. Accept lower-paying or short-term gigs that give you real transactions to record.

Which certificates and short courses actually help you get hired fast

You do not need a full degree to start, but the right microcredentials accelerate hiring. Prioritize certificates that employers recognize and that include practical, hands-on labs.

High-impact short credentials:

QuickBooks Online Certification (Intuit): Many small businesses use QuickBooks; certification is recognized by employers and clients.
Xero Advisor Certification: Xero is widely used globally, and the certification shows cloud-accounting competence.
Coursera Audit or Certificate courses in Financial Accounting from top schools: show you understand accounting fundamentals.
Google Data Analytics or Excel for Business microcredentials: useful for analysis and reporting roles.
Local vocational bookkeeping diplomas: if they include practical labs, they are valuable for local employers.

Choose a certification you can complete in 4–8 weeks with practical exercises. Combine the certificate with hands-on practice inside the software.

How to build a convincing portfolio with no client work

You can create a portfolio that convinces hiring managers without using client data.

Simulated work approach:

Create a fictional small business (cafeteria, e-commerce store, freelance services) and design a chart of accounts.
Generate a month of sample transactions (sales receipts, supplier invoices, payroll entries).
Use QuickBooks/Xero demo company and record all transactions. Export the P&L, balance sheet, and bank reconciliation PDF.
Create an Excel file showing a cash flow projection and a pivot table sales by product.
Write a short case study narrating the problem and the solution: "Improved cash reconciliation process for Cafe X, identified missing deposits and corrected £2,400 in misposted sales".

Add screenshots, masked data, and short explanations. Host these files in a simple Google Drive folder or a one-page Notion or LinkedIn Featured link. This is often enough to demonstrate ability in entry-level roles.

Where to find your first paid accounting or bookkeeping work

Target multiple channels simultaneously. Expect to apply widely and iterate your pitch.

Freelance platforms

Upwork and Fiverr: Search for bookkeeping, QuickBooks cleanup, or data entry gigs. Start with small, quick jobs to get reviews. Optimize your profile with your certificate and portfolio links.

Local businesses and SMEs

Many small shops, salons, clinics, and startups need part-time bookkeeping. Walk in, send a short email, or message on WhatsApp offering a low-cost monthly bookkeeping package. Local networks and small business Facebook groups are effective.

Remote job boards

Remote.co, We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, and LinkedIn frequently list junior remote bookkeeping or assistant accountant roles.

Internships and graduate trainee programs

Apply to part-time internships even if unpaid for a short period. The experience and references matter more than the initial pay.

Volunteer for NGOs or clubs

Nonprofits often need bookkeeping help. Use these roles to collect references and real transaction records (anonymized) for your portfolio.

Temp agencies and finance outsourcing firms

They often hire junior staff for data entry and reconciliations. These contracts often lead to permanent work.

How to write an application that beats other beginners

When you have no formal experience, your application must compensate with clarity and demonstration.

Cover letter formula:

Start with a concise one-line statement of intent and your certificate. Example: "I am an entry-level bookkeeper certified in QuickBooks Online with practical experience building demo companies and reconciling bank statements."
Explain one concrete result from your portfolio. Example: "In my demo project I identified and corrected duplicate receipts that improved reconciliation accuracy in a sample month."
Offer immediate availability for a short test task and provide a link to your portfolio.
Close with a polite call to action: "I can complete a sample reconciliation within 24 hours for your review."

Resume priorities:

Lead with skills and certificates at the top.
Include your demo projects under "Relevant Projects" with short measurable outcomes.
Keep experience section minimal but honest. Include volunteer work and internships.

What entry-level accounting roles to target first

These roles are the most realistic first hires and teach you on-the-job skills:

Junior Bookkeeper
Accounting Assistant
Accounts Payable Clerk
Accounts Receivable Clerk
Payroll Assistant
Finance Data Entry Clerk
Audit Assistant (junior roles that include clerical tasks)

These roles let you practice reconciliations, posting, basic reporting, and software use. They are stepping stones to mid-level jobs.

Negotiating accounting salary and what to expect

As a beginner, focus first on gaining experience. Expect to start at lower band pay but negotiate small wins:

Ask for a probation review in 3 months rather than 6.
Request training and mentorship as part of the package.
For freelance roles, set hourly or monthly retainer prices that reflect the market in your region. Use initial low-cost offers to build reviews and then raise prices.

If you get multiple offers, use them to negotiate better pay or terms.

How to use freelancing to accelerate experience

Freelancing is a powerful way to gain real transaction-level work quickly. It forces you to complete full bookkeeping cycles, communicate with clients, and handle deadlines.

Start with micro-gigs:

Bank reconciliation per month
QuickBooks cleanup task
Invoice creation and AR follow-up
Expense categorization for one month

After two to three paid clients, you will have real income and references. Use every completed gig to update your portfolio and LinkedIn.

Real-life case scenarios

Case 1:
Beetha had no accounting background. She completed a 6-week QuickBooks course and built a demo company with sample transactions. She applied to 40 small businesses and offered a 2-week free trial. Two local businesses signed her on for paid bookkeeping at a modest rate. Within four months, Ada had three steady clients, an Upwork profile with positive reviews, and a promotion to manage a small accounts team at a local SME.

Case 2:
Ken worked in retail but wanted accounting. He studied Excel and Xero part-time for three months, took the Xero certification, and applied for remote junior bookkeeper roles on LinkedIn. He completed an unpaid two-week trial with a UK-based e-commerce store and then secured a paid remote bookkeeping job that paid in dollars. The international pay allowed him to invest in ACCA study later.

Case 3:
Madea volunteered to manage bookkeeping for a community NGO. She documented processes, automated recurring entries, and improved monthly reporting. The NGO referred her to a partner SME which offered her a junior accountant role. After a year she studied for ICAN and moved to a higher-paying role.

How to keep progressing after you land your first job

Getting the first role is only the start. To move quickly into mid-level pay you should:

Automate repetitive tasks using templates and simple scripts
Learn two cloud accounting platforms to increase demand for your skills
Start ACCA/ICAN or other recognized professional qualifications part-time
Build reporting skills with Excel, Google Sheets, and a basic BI tool like Power BI or Google Data Studio
Ask for measurable goals and quarterly salary reviews

A focused two-year plan often moves driven beginners from junior pay to mid-level in 18–30 months.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting for perfect credentials before applying
Over-relying on theory without practicing software
Hiding lack of experience instead of showcasing demonstrable projects
Accepting unpaid work indefinitely (short unpaid trials are okay, long ones are not)
Ignoring soft skills like communication and punctuality

FAQ

Q: Can I become an accountant without a degree?

A: Yes. Many entry-level bookkeeping and junior accounting roles accept non-degree candidates if you demonstrate skills, certifications, and reliability.

Q: How fast can I get a paying role?

A: With focused effort you can get small paid gigs in 4–8 weeks and a steady junior role in 2–6 months.

Q: Which software should I learn first?

A: QuickBooks Online or Xero are the best first choices because of high employer demand. Also learn Excel thoroughly.

Q: Are free resources enough?

A: Free resources can get you started, but combine them with a short paid certificate for credibility and practical labs.

Q: Should I pursue ACCA or ICAN immediately?

A: These are excellent long-term qualifications. Start them after you have some real-world experience or while working part-time, because experience helps you pass professional exams more quickly.

Conclusion and next steps

Becoming an accountant with no experience is entirely possible in 2026 if you take a skills-first approach: learn core accounting fundamentals, certify quickly with a recognized short course, build demonstrable sample work, and apply widely for entry-level and freelance work. Focus on showing reliability, accuracy, and the ability to learn. Those traits matter more than a long CV when you are starting out.