Account analyst vs accountant

The differences between account analysts and accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an account analyst and an accountant. Additionally, an account analyst has an average salary of $55,829, which is higher than the $54,890 average annual salary of an accountant.

The top three skills for an account analyst include customer service, patients and financial statements. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Account analyst vs accountant overview

	Account Analyst	Accountant
Yearly salary	$55,829	$54,890
Hourly rate	$26.84	$26.39
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	106,327	60,073
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does an account analyst do?

Account analysts are responsible for analyzing account statements and financial transactions of an organization, resolving billing discrepancies, and managing account receivables. They assess the company's financial stability and identify opportunities to improve data analysis techniques by adhering to accounting principles and the company's operational protocols. Account analysts prepare financial reports, evaluate accounts payable, assist in tax audits, and release invoices. They should have excellent analytical and communication skills, especially on posting accurate account reports on the database.

What does an accountant do?

An accountant is an individual whose primary task is to prepare, keep, examine, and interpret financial records. Most accountants are in charge of a wide scope of finance-related tasks, either for private individuals or for large-scale businesses and organizations they are employed with. They make sure that financial statements and records are accurate and comply with laws and regulations. They also compute for taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure being paid properly and on time. As they keep track and record the flow of money, they can offer guidance on how to reduce costs, enhance revenue, and help in profit maximization.

Account analyst vs accountant salary

Account analysts and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Account Analyst	Accountant
Average salary	$55,829	$54,890
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $78,000	Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Venable	Meta
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between account analyst and accountant education

There are a few differences between an account analyst and an accountant in terms of educational background:

	Account Analyst	Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Account analyst vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between account analysts' and accountants' demographics:

	Account Analyst	Accountant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%	Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 12.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between account analyst and accountant duties and responsibilities

Account analyst example responsibilities.

Manage budget submissions by subsidiaries in Europe/AFNE region in Hyperion.
Prepare and review KYC require documentation for multiple business lines.
Prepare weekly payroll through ADP and reconciliation of quarterly payroll taxes and reports.
Prepare PowerPoint presentation for CFO to deliver budget report to board and finance committees.
Prepare monthly payroll and accompanying journal entries, and process ADP payroll and reconciliation.
Consolidate orders going to the same location and submit to warehouse by EDI or fax transmission.

Show more

Accountant example responsibilities.

Manage preparation of the statutory financial statements and financial aggregates in compliance with IFRS and local applicable norms.
Manage personnel financial matters including salaries, taxation procedures and other relate issues.
Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Reconstruct and improve many balance sheet account reconciliations for easier reading and interpretation by senior level management.
Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
Maintain general ledgers and preparation of monthly and other periodic financial reports in accordance with GAAP and international accounting standards.

Show more

Account analyst vs accountant skills

Common account analyst skills

Customer Service, 17%
Patients, 11%
Financial Statements, 9%
Financial Reports, 5%
PowerPoint, 4%
Reconciliations, 4%

Common accountant skills

Reconciliations, 14%
General Ledger Accounts, 6%
Account Reconciliations, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Payroll Tax Returns, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Account Analyst vs. similar jobs

Account Analyst related careers

Account Analyst related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z