Contrary to popular belief, both Protestants and Roman Catholics believe in works (good works).  However, their beliefs are not exactly the same.  Protestants believe that works (good works) influence God to provide a person the opportunity to go to heaven; for example, Cornelius in Acts 10 in the Bible.  Roman Catholics, on the other hand, believe that works (good works) buy a person’s way to heaven.  Protestants, an opportunity.  Roman Catholics, a purchase.  Protestants, approaching (movement toward without arriving at) free “transportation” (note quotes, which indicate a figure of speech) that will take you to heaven.  Roman Catholics, arriving at purchased “transportation” (note quotes, which indicate a figure of speech) that will take you to heaven.  Protestants, approaching and free.  Roman Catholics, arriving and purchased.

One more point: Protestants believe that only God can follow up the approach so that a person actually arrives at the “transportation” (note quotes, which indicate a figure of speech) that will take them to heaven.  This means that, in the end, the only difference is Protestants, free (unpurchased) heaven and Roman Catholics, purchased heaven.

Note that, while a person cannot make it to heaven on their own, they do need to lean toward (approach) the “transportation” (note quotes, which indicate a figure of speech) to heaven.  This is what the Bible calls “repentance.”  If you live a wicked life without ever having (never having) leaned toward the “transportation” (note quotes, which indicate a figure of speech) to heaven, you will not make it to heaven, no matter what you believe.  This is what the Bible means when it says in James 2:26:

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Final Clarification

You do not, through your good works, earn salvation (like you earn money from an employer). Rather, you, through your good works, withdraw salvation (like you withdraw money from a bank account into which God has deposited all of the money).