How long do you need to study to become a accountant?

You could get it done in 4 years, but if you want to become a Certified Public Accountant, you have to take a pretty hard test (like the bar exam for Accountants) and there is a period of time where you have to learn on the job before you get licensed.

But, you could get a job right out of high school in an Accounts Receivable department, and technically that's accounting.