How to Become an Accountant in Poland

The accounting profession in Poland is one of the most promising, well-paid, and in-demand. Currently, there is a shortage of specialists in this field. What are the requirements for this profession? What education is necessary? Let’s dive into this topic.

Essential Requirements

The primary requirements for this profession include:

• Possessing relevant education
• Knowledge of labor law basics and adherence to all legal procedures and deadlines
• Experience in accounting, as well as skills in working with accounting software
• Proficiency in the Polish language at a B2 level or higher
• Holding an accountant’s certificate

Education

To work as an accountant in Poland, one must obtain specialized education in accounting.
Poland has many institutions offering programs in this field. Here are just a few examples:

• University of Warsaw
• Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
• Jagiellonian University in Kraków
• Warsaw School of Economics
• University of Gdańsk

Accounting programs in Poland cover subjects such as financial and managerial accounting, auditing, economics, law, and taxation.
Tuition costs vary depending on the level of education and the institution. On average, a bachelor’s degree in accounting costs between 10,000 and 25,000 PLN (2,200–5,500 EUR) for the entire program.

Certificates

In practice, the type of education a specialist holds is often less critical. The key requirement is having an accountant’s certificate.
To obtain this certificate, you must meet two conditions:

1. An accountant must have three years of experience in the field and a master’s degree in accounting. If the candidate doesn’t hold a master’s degree, postgraduate studies in accounting may suffice.
2. Two years of practical experience in accounting, secondary education or higher, and passing a state accounting exam.

In Poland, several certifications are available for accountants. The most common ones include:

• Certificate of the Central Statistical Office (GUS) – mandatory for auditors, actuaries, and other financial specialists.
• Chartered Accountant (CA) – awarded by the Polish Association of Chartered Accountants (SKwP).
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – granted by the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA).

Key Responsibilities

An accountant’s main responsibilities include:

• Maintaining financial records
• Preparing primary documents, such as invoices, delivery notes, and payment orders
• Reconciling and verifying financial documents
• Preparing profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
• Ensuring financial reporting complies with Polish laws and IFRS standards
• Tax reporting – calculating and paying taxes, such as income tax and VAT, preparing and submitting tax declarations, representing clients during tax inspections
• Managing bank accounts and cash flows, preparing payments and issuing invoices, monitoring accounts receivable and payable
• Participating in internal and external audits, preparing audit reports, and providing recommendations
• Advising management and employees on accounting matters, and participating in financial planning and budgeting.

If you have any questions, write to us at office@progressholding.pl.