Many people wonder if they should take an accounting or finance intermediate accounting exam. The answer to that question is no, you should not. The reason is that the types of courses offered for the finance and accounting degrees are very different than the classes required to take a basic degree in accounting. For one thing, many of the core courses required for an accounting or finance degree also qualify as “intermediate” courses in a college’s online bachelor’s degree program. That means you can count on taking most of those prerequisites over the course of your Bachelor’s degree as well as your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Accounting and finance are a demanding degree. Like any other demanding course, it requires intensive learning and understanding of complex business models, fiscal concepts, and the regulatory environment. Taking any type of finance or accounting intermediate exam will not help you achieve your goal of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. If anything, the added pressure of taking the finance and accounting intermediate exam could actually end up causing you to procrastinate and not finish your degree program on time.

Why would anyone want to take the finance and accounting intermediate exam? Most people do not have to take such an exam until they have already earned their four-year bachelor’s degree in accounting or their equivalent certificate. Some students earn their associate’s degrees earlier in life while others complete their bachelor’s degree later. Regardless of when you earned your degree, it is never too early to start building your financial portfolio. Your portfolio is basically a comprehensive overview of your financial position within the corporate structure.

As with your portfolio, your financial portfolio will vary from person to person. In some instances, your portfolio will be one of the largest sections of your entire college portfolio. However, even in these situations, there are things that only your portfolio can provide you with. For example, it might contain your most recent years’ income statements. Your portfolio could also include your long term investment goals, your retirement account details, or even information about your child’s educational aspirations and your strategy for those dreams.

There is no real right or wrong way to prepare for a Financial Accounting and Intermediary Exam. You simply need to understand what it will involve and how it will test your abilities. What this exam is looking for in its prospective candidates is whether or not you have a solid background in college mathematics, finance, accounting, economics, and other related courses. The Intermittent Financial Accountant’s Test is a computer-based test that examines your knowledge of money management and other money management topics. It is administered every six months at a participating college or university and scores are valid for two years.

Once you have decided to take the exam, there are a few tips to keep in mind. There are no typical prerequisites that apply to every college student applying to take the exam, so it is not necessary to bring any college textbooks with you. You also do not need to be a member of a professional association to qualify for the exam. Many students who are employed full-time as well as having family members who are also part-time students at a college typically pass the exam with flying colors.

Before you begin your preparations for the Intermittent Financial Accountancy Exam, it is important that you gather all your financial information, including pay stubs, bank statements, and investment portfolio information. You also will need to develop a comprehensive portfolio that includes both cash and stocks investments. This portfolio should show a balanced mix of equities such as stocks and bonds as well as real estate and derivatives. Developing your portfolio is extremely important and should not be skipped. Many students fail to adequately develop their portfolio because they do not take the time to do it before attending the examination.

Most colleges and universities offer the Intermittent Financial Accountancy Exam online. If your school does not offer this program, you may be able to take the exam online through Credit Counseling Services (CDS) or Financial Aid Services (FAS). Either way, taking the Intermittent Financial Accountancy Exam and completing your portfolio development and financial information gathering will help prepare you to pass the certification exam.