Entry- and intermediate-level accounting titles are earned via a national unified exam; first check your education level and work experience to see if you qualify.

21. Entry- and intermediate-level accounting titles are earned via a national unified exam; first check your education level and work experience to see if you qualify.

Cost: Registration fees vary by province. Preparing for the exam requires several months of part-time study.

In plain terms: Many entry- and intermediate-level professional titles are awarded solely through exams; passing the test is enough, with no additional evaluation needed. Accounting falls under this category: an assistant accountant must have at least a high school diploma, while a full accountant requires a bachelor’s degree plus four years of accounting work experience, or an associate degree plus five years. Those who already hold certain professional certifications may also be recognized as meeting the corresponding title requirements.

Benefit: A 2016 reform directive states that for professional fields where entry- and intermediate-level titles rely on a national exam, no further evaluation or certification is required. In areas where professional titles and qualifications are closely linked, earning a qualification automatically grants the corresponding title and can serve as a prerequisite for advancing to a higher level. Accounting is a prime example: assistant accountants and accountants are selected via a nationwide exam. Senior accountants undergo both an exam and evaluation, while top-level titles are awarded solely through evaluation. Qualification criteria are as follows: Assistant accountants must have at least a high school diploma, including vocational, technical, or secondary specialized education. Accountants must hold a doctorate; or a master’s degree plus one year of accounting experience; or a second bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma, or equivalent plus two years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree plus four years of experience; or an associate degree plus five years of experience. Those with a master’s or doctorate in accounting may be exempt from the Financial Management exam portion when applying for accountant status.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: General Office of the CPC Central Committee, State Council of China (2016). Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Professional Title System. <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2017/content_5163445.htm>: "Professional and technical talents who have obtained professional qualifications can be deemed to have the corresponding series and level of professional titles, and can be used as a condition for applying for a higher-level professional title. Junior, Majors for which intermediate professional titles are subject to a unified national examination will no longer be subject to corresponding professional title review or recognition. "; Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, Ministry of Finance (2019). Guidance on deepening the reform of the professional title system for accounting personnel. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2019-09/27/content_5433803.htm>: "Assistant Accountant, Accountants implement a national unified accounting professional and technical qualification examination. "Senior accountants adopt a combination of examination and review, and senior accountants generally adopt an review method"; et al. (2024). Notice on the work related to the connection between accounting professional degrees and accounting professional and technical qualifications. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202405/content_6952602.htm>

Notes: To determine whether your professional series relies on exams, evaluations, or a mix of both, consult the relevant “Guiding Opinions on Deepening Reforms of [Series] Professional Title Systems.” These documents were issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and sector-specific authorities; they can be found in the policy archives on the Chinese Government website. Exact registration dates and exam subjects are listed in each year’s official exam announcements. Civil servants may take the accounting exam but are not eligible to apply for accounting title evaluations.