What Is It Like to be an Accountant in Japan?
Whether you are traveling to find a job as an experienced accountant, or you are thinking of studying accounting in Japan, it is important that you make a sincere effort to learn the language. Japanese accountant are known for taking that extra step to learn English, and so to maximize your being in the business, it would be wise to follow suit. Accounting in Japan is like working in an international field. There is so much opportunity for foreign workers because of the industrial revolution that has been ongoing in Japan for decades.
You will need to be certified if you want handle the important accounting jobs or put up your own bilingual accounting firm in Japan. Fortunately, Japan is currently updating their accounting practices so that it is complimentary and acceptable under US and international standards. You could end up in a lot of trouble if you give tax advice in Japan without passing their accounting exam.
A certified tax accountant in Japan carries the title; “Zeirishi” which mean qualified. Once you get past this stage, you are facing a very lucrative career in Japan. For a Japanese CPA to be confirmed, you will have to pass both written and verbal exams. It is more difficult than trying to qualify as a Zeirishi. After successfully passing both exams, there is another phase of internship. In 2005, Japan’s strict laws resulted in a low 16,245 qualified CPAs and a little over 6,000 Junior CPAs in the country.
With this in mind, every CPA is highly paid and respected. It is an honorable profession that carries a lot of weight and responsibility. A US certified CPA can apply to have his or her credentials approved as equal to a Japanese CPA but it is a difficult process. The only time it was approved was in 1975 when a high ranking Japanese official approved it. However, a US CPA can dispense advice to Americans who reside in Japan but only on their US taxes.
If this seems to be insurmountable, you could try to start out as a Junior Bookkeeper and take the Nissho Boki 2 exam. It’s a level one exam and relatively easy but the pay is not as high. Still, it will get you hired in Japan.
A certified tax accountant in Japan carries the title; “Zeirishi” which mean qualified. Once you get past this stage, you are facing a very lucrative career in Japan. For a Japanese CPA to be confirmed, you will have to pass both written and verbal exams. It is more difficult than trying to qualify as a Zeirishi. After successfully passing both exams, there is another phase of internship. In 2005, Japan’s strict laws resulted in a low 16,245 qualified CPAs and a little over 6,000 Junior CPAs in the country.
With this in mind, every CPA is highly paid and respected. It is an honorable profession that carries a lot of weight and responsibility. A US certified CPA can apply to have his or her credentials approved as equal to a Japanese CPA but it is a difficult process. The only time it was approved was in 1975 when a high ranking Japanese official approved it. However, a US CPA can dispense advice to Americans who reside in Japan but only on their US taxes.
If this seems to be insurmountable, you could try to start out as a Junior Bookkeeper and take the Nissho Boki 2 exam. It’s a level one exam and relatively easy but the pay is not as high. Still, it will get you hired in Japan.
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Categorised as: Accounting