Research Summary. Here are some key points about hiring accounting analysts in the United States:

  • There are a total of 85,705 accounting analysts in the US, and there are currently 81,097 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire an accounting analyst is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per accounting analyst on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for accounting analysts, with 22 job openings.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Accounting Analyst

Recruiting accounting analysts involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $58,399 per year for an accounting analyst, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for accounting analysts in the US typically range between $20 and $37 an hour.

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How to hire an Accounting Analyst, step by step

To hire an accounting analyst, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a accounting analyst:

  • Step 1: Identify your needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Writing an accounting analyst job description
  • Step 5: Post the job
  • Step 6: Interview process
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new accounting analyst
  • Step 8: Go through the checklist for the hiring process

1
Identify Your Needs

The first step in the accounting analyst hiring process is determining what type of worker you actually need. For example, certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

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An accounting analyst's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, accounting analysts from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

This list presents the salaries of various accounting analyst positions.

Type Of Accounting AnalystDescriptionHourly Rate
Accounting AnalystAccountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show More$20-37
Finance Analyst/AccountantIn a company setting, a finance analyst/accountant is in charge of handling and monitoring financial activities, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing financial reports, performing audits and risk assessments, and identifying any errors and inconsistencies, resolving them promptly and efficiently... Show More$22-40
Corporate AccountantA corporate accountant is a professional who prepares financial statements and maintains financial records of an organization to ensure that they comply with laws, regulations, and the organization's policies. Corporate accountants are required to analyze financial statements to help executives make financial decisions for the organization... Show More$22-42

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Before creating an accounting analyst job description, imagine the ideal employee for this position and begin creating a profile. What skills do they have and what responsibilities do they have to be proficient in?

Here is a list of skills that are commonly associated with accounting analyst:

Common Skills:
  • Reconciliations
  • Customer Service
  • Account Reconciliations
  • GAAP
  • Strong Analytical
  • Payroll
  • Internal Controls
  • External Auditors
  • Pivot Tables
  • Financial Data
  • SOX
  • Process Improvement
  • Accruals
  • Financial Analysis
Check All Skills

Here are the responsibilities that most accounting analysts perform:

Responsibilities:
  • Manage and process all ACH, EFT and wire transfer transactions daily (debit or credits).
  • Manage reconciling monthly discrepancies between ERP transfers.
  • Manage budget submissions by subsidiaries in Europe/AFNE region in Hyperion.
  • Establish investment objectives to efficiently manage IPO proceeds within state risk parameters.
  • Maintain accounting controls by following GAAP and internal accounting policies; maintain financial security by following internal controls.
  • Review and approve monthly general ledger and bank account reconciliations for special condition accounts to ensure procedural consistency and compliance.
Check all Duties

Beyond the basics, you should also consider how well a candidate fits into your company culture. In other words, you should think about how your ideal accounting analyst will live by the company's mission statement and contribute to the team dynamic you already have in place.

Most Common States For Accounting Analysts In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1California4,67612%$67,222
2Illinois1,61113%$60,403
3Virginia1,44417%$57,709
4Massachusetts1,19717%$62,635
5Colorado1,05819%$56,363

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3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in the job description is a good way to get more applicants. An accounting analyst salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, their level of experience, education and certifications, and the prestige of the employer. For example, the average salary for an accounting analyst in Idaho may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level accounting analyst. Additionally, an accounting analyst with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

Updated March 16, 2023

Accounting Analyst Salary Estimate

$58,399

$28.08 hourly

Entry level Salary
$42,000 yearly

Accounting Analyst Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1California$72,395$354
2District of Columbia$71,010$343
3New York$68,207$3320
4New Jersey$66,166$321
5Massachusetts$62,597$3013

Accounting Analyst Average Salary By Company

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1Google$116,269$55.9028
2The Citadel$103,634$49.82
3Apollo Global Management$102,294$49.1812
4Sonos$98,619$47.412
5Asana$94,788$45.573
6Dell$90,165$43.351
7IBM$89,625$43.09
8Broadcom$88,929$42.75
9Tri-State G&T$88,405$42.502
10Virtu Financial$82,779$39.80
11BNP Paribas$82,024$39.435
12Subaru$81,763$39.311
13BMO Capital Markets$80,738$38.822
14Citi$80,466$38.69103
15Ford Motor$80,377$38.6460
16Pacific Gas and Electric$79,979$38.45
17Westinghouse Appliances Australia$78,505$37.743
18BNY Mellon$77,764$37.3953
19JPMorgan Chase & Co.$77,278$37.1538
20iCapital Network$77,134$37.08

4
Writing an Accounting Analyst Job Description

An accounting analyst job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an accounting analyst job description:

Example of Full Job Description

Becoming a McLane teammate is to become part of an honest, stable, and reliable company with 125 years of success. We are looking for teammates with perseverance who will take the extra step for our customers, our community, and the company. In return, we will pay you well and offer you the opportunity to go as far in your career as you want to go.
DAY 1 BENEFITS such as medical, dental, and vision insurance and company-paid life insurance.
Industry-leading 401(k) with annual company match starts on your 90th day.
Paid holidays, vacation time, educational assistance program, and more!

ABOUT THE JOB:

This position will assist the Accounting Managers in the daily accounting processes for the Company's Distribution Centers (DCs) along with the General & Administrative (G&A) business units, as directed. This position will provide support and input into the development and implementation of various accounting processes and practices unique to the Food Distribution industry. This position will ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP) and will provide analytical review of critical data used in making decisions, which impact the overall profitability and success of the Company.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Other duties may be assigned. A teammate in this position must have the ability to:
Assist in all aspects of the financial period close process (including preparation of journal entries) to ensure continuous reliability and accuracy, error identification, and analysis of results - all of which could have a significant and unique impact on profitability. Assist Accounting Managers with the preparation and maintenance of the planning process. Establish good working relationships with and serve as a point-of-contact for the DC management teams and their teams Exhibit a good working knowledge of the Distribution Accounting process, including the review of DC P&L's for accuracy. Assist in monitoring compliance to GAAP, Sarbanes/Oxley (SOX) controls, and other internal policies and best practices - to ensure a high level of consistency in the data as well as ensuring that McLane is in compliance with all defined standards. Assist in answering accounting and financial questions by researching and interpreting data. Reconcile balance sheet accounts, as assigned, to ensure accuracy and compliance with GAAP. Keep abreast of GAAP accounting and SOX key controls that impact our business. Assist with internal and external audits of the financial statements. Possess and/or develop the core competencies required for this position. Assist in organizing and implementing various accounting, analytical and other projects, as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS :

A teammate in this position must have:
Bachelor's degree in accounting required. CPA license preferred. 2 years minimum accounting experience; distribution accounting experience preferred Working knowledge of and a willingness to learn various McLane operating systems. Ability to identify and work through problems and conflicting issues in a clear and diplomatic manner. Focused ability to review and interpret data, transactions, policies, and business practices. Be open to relocation opportunities within McLane Company and its other business units. Be able to successfully pass a physical capabilities test (if necessary), drug screen and criminal background check.

5
Post A Job

There are various strategies that you can use to find the right accounting analyst for your business:

  • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
  • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
  • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
  • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

To find accounting analyst candidates, you can consider the following options:

  • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
  • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
  • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6
Interview Process

To successfully recruit accounting analysts, your first interview needs to be all about engaging with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

It's also a good idea to ask about candidates' special skills and talents. If you think that a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7
Send A Job Offer And Onboard Your New Accounting Analyst

Once you have selected a candidate for the position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. It is important to make sure that your offer is competitive, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

To prepare for the new accounting analyst first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources needs to make sure that a new employee file is created for internal recordkeeping.

8
Go Through The Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
  • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
  • Define job responsibilities and requirements
  • Establish budget and timeline
  • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
  • Write job description
  • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
  • Promote the job internally
  • Process applications through applicant tracking system
  • Review resumes and cover letters
  • Shortlist candidates for screening
  • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
  • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
  • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
  • Conduct background checks on top candidates
  • Check references of top candidates
  • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
  • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
  • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
  • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
  • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
  • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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Hiring Accounting Analysts FAQs

How Much Does A Good Accounting Analyst Cost?

A good accounting analyst costs $28.08 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the accounting analyst experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of An Accounting Analyst?

The duties of an accounting analyst are:
  • Manage and process all ACH, EFT and wire transfer transactions daily (debit or credits).
  • Manage reconciling monthly discrepancies between ERP transfers.
  • Manage budget submissions by subsidiaries in Europe/AFNE region in Hyperion.

Should I Hire An Accounting Analyst With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire an accounting analyst with no experience. Hiring an entry-level accounting analyst with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

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