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Job outlook for accounting coordinators in the United States
Accounting coordinator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected accounting coordinator job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -77,200 new jobs for accounting coordinators are projected over the next decade.
Accounting coordinator salaries have increased 10% for accounting coordinators in the last 5 years.
There are over 874,381 accounting coordinators currently employed in the United States.
There are 63,129 active accounting coordinator job openings in the US.
The average accounting coordinator salary is $44,639.
Are accounting coordinator jobs in demand?
Accounting coordinator job and salary trends over time
Accounting coordinator jobs over time
Accounting coordinator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 874,381 | 0.26% |
| 2020 | 837,521 | 0.25% |
| 2019 | 875,168 | 0.26% |
| 2018 | 884,146 | 0.27% |
| 2017 | 884,614 | 0.27% |
Average accounting coordinator salary over time
Accounting coordinator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,639 | $21.46 | +2.9% |
| 2025 | $43,397 | $20.86 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $42,355 | $20.36 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $41,303 | $19.86 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $40,408 | $19.43 | +3.1% |
Accounting coordinator jobs by state
Most common states for accounting coordinators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 269 | 28% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 193 | 28% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 253 | 24% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 167 | 22% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 261 | 20% |
| 6 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 307 | 18% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 350 | 17% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 148 | 17% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 282 | 16% |
| 10 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 708 | 15% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 865 | 13% |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 503 | 13% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 158 | 12% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 609 | 11% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 117 | 11% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 597 | 10% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 552 | 10% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,183 | 9% |
| 19 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 722 | 9% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 322 | 9% |
Most common cities for accounting coordinators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $41,194 |
| 2 | San Francisco | 5 | 1% | $52,023 |
| 3 | New Orleans | 3 | 1% | $43,936 |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | 2 | 1% | $40,145 |
| 5 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $40,229 |
| 6 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $40,663 |
| 7 | Appleton | 1 | 1% | $38,795 |
| 8 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $48,278 |
| 9 | Dallas | 2 | 0% | $40,537 |
| 10 | New York | 2 | 0% | $55,217 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $43,280 |
| 12 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $50,189 |
| 13 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $48,648 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $41,173 |
| 15 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $51,135 |
Accounting Coordinator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of accounting coordinator experts
Seattle University
Skyline College
Muhlenberg College
Eastern Illinois University
Misericordia University
Florida Atlantic University
Centenary University
Michigan State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Kansas
Appalachian State University
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)
Iona College
Penn State Wilkes-Barre and World Campus
University of Texas at El Paso
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Coordinator?
Dr. Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE: I would advise a graduate starting their career in the field to balance work and life, continue learning every day, and appreciate feedback and comments because they contribute to improvement. Additionally, make sure to set long-term goals and work towards achieving them, such as staying in the public accounting career until you reach the partner level.
What will help Accounting Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE: Surprisingly, the important and most prevalent skills in the field over the next 3-5 years are soft skills such as an analytical mindset, communication (both orally and in writing), skepticism, independence, ethics, and integrity. Furthermore, familiarity with data analytics tools and software not only improves your work productivity but also helps you build expertise in the field. All these qualities can make a great accountant who can significantly impact the capital market by helping to protect investors and enhancing the usefulness of accounting information for various stakeholders.
What Accounting Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Go out there ready to work hard, learn a lot, and undoubtedly make a lot of (unintentional) mistakes. We all know about the “busy season” expectations and that firms may jokingly compensate overtime hours with a slice of pepperoni pizza. But there are very few professions in which a young professional will have such a vast, global exposure to different business processes, technologies, and people. Furthermore, the training and educational opportunities most firms and companies offer their employees cannot have a price tag attached to them (jokes aside, they are incredibly valuable and non-taxable). On a personal note, I also remind my seniors that when work gets tough (e.g., busy season) it still super important to take a slice of time each day, even if just 5 minutes, to do something for themselves. Maybe a quick medication, a gym workout, getting their favorite coffee, or a dinner night with a close friend or loved one. Personal care and keeping grounded will keep life in context and balance.
What will help Accounting Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in accounting, I recommend gaining relevant certifications such as CPA or CMA, pursuing advanced degrees, and seeking opportunities for professional growth and development. Additionally, networking and building strong relationships within the industry can also help in negotiating better salary offers.
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Coordinator?
James Lawson: Learn as much as possible. At many large accounting firms, the salary is relatively fixed for the first few years. However, if you spend those years truly learning then you will be able to leverage that knowledge into a higher salary, either within your current firm or elsewhere.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What Accounting Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Viertel: Stability and demand: Accounting is a fundamental function for businesses across
industries. There will always be a demand for skilled accountants to manage financial
records, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic financial advice.
Diverse career opportunities: Accountants can work in various sectors such as public
accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
academia. This diversity allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore different
career paths.
Professional growth: The accounting profession offers numerous opportunities for
advancement, including obtaining certifications such as Certified Public Accountant
(CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
These certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and increased
responsibilities.
Intellectual Challenge: Accounting involves problem-solving, analysis, and interpretation
of financial data. It requires critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
What will help Accounting Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
Dr. Nicholas Robinson
Director of AccountancyEastern Illinois University
EIU School of Business
What skills stand out on Accounting Coordinator resumes?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: In a general sense, the skills that are most impactful on a resume are demonstrating success when faced with a problem. This can be difficult to convey on a resume, but if you can show problems or challenges that you face, how you overcame them, and the resolution of the problem, recruiters love that more than almost anything.
Showing the ability to overcome and solve problems illustrates your skills in a practical way that will be beneficial to the company you are applying to. Every business has challenges. If you can help solve them, you are invaluable. Demonstrating a history of problem-solving will certainly make you stand out amongst the applicant pool.
What soft skills should all Accounting Coordinators possess?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Thinking of the less than the obvious answer would be the ability to ask questions the right way. If something is unclear or you just cannot figure it out, ask a question. The key part to this is TRYING to figure it out first and understanding when you are wasting your own time not getting anywhere. People will respect that you tried before coming to them for help. Another aspect of asking questions is listening to the answer. Make sure the answer is clear, and you know where or what you are supposed to do from there. Carry a notebook or something like that to both write down the questions you have on your project and their answers. I always find it impressive when people take notes and pay attention to the answer because it happens far too often that people ask questions but never listen to the response.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Accounting Coordinators?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Excel, excel, excel. It does not matter how much you know in Excel. There is always something more to learn, improve upon, or make more efficient. If you are coming straight out of school, you may have had a lot of exposure to Excel, but if you are not using it every day in a work-like setting, you can get slow and forget how things work. Know how to look up techniques and tools. You will spend much of your working life dealing with Excel spreadsheets, so be sure you are comfortable with them.
What skills will help Accounting Coordinators earn the most?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Management and sales. If you can rise above your peers as a manager, you will make more. If you can drive sales, you will make more. If you enter an accounting firm and have the ability to not just do the work but can efficiently manage a team to do the work, you will be promoted to that position. Similarly, if you can attract more clients to the firm, you will become far more valuable to the firm. Your ability to create new revenue will be rewarded.
Working for a business as an internal accountant likely would not present the opportunity to drive new business. Promotion and raises will be determined by your ability to lead a team.
Charles Makar
Instructor of BusinessMisericordia University
Business Department
What soft skills should all Accounting Coordinators possess?
Charles Makar: Communications skills (oral and written).
What hard/technical skills are most important for Accounting Coordinators?
Dr. George Young: Besides becoming fluent in accounting, which is the language of business, students should take every opportunity to learn more about spreadsheet software such as Excel and increase their skills in using Tableau. These types of software enable accountants to analyze, summarize, and communicate their results in an understandable manner.
Frank Longo
Assistant Professor of BusinessCentenary University
Business Department
What skills stand out on Accounting Coordinator resumes?
Frank Longo: The Accounting Coordinator position requires a variety of soft and hard skills. Hard skills or technical skills are expected and required to secure the position. Hard skills are becoming a minimum requirement. By demonstrating key soft skills, the candidate can move to the top of the hiring list. These skills include problem-solving, teamwork, written communications, leadership, work ethic, and oral communications. These skills have been identified as required after the onset of the pandemic. It is interesting to note that before the pandemic, essentially, the same skills were viewed as critical, but the order changed a bit. Problem-solving moved from number two to number one on the list after the pandemic began. Demonstrating these skills in a concise and specific manner greatly improves the resume.
What soft skills should all Accounting Coordinators possess?
Frank Longo: The skills listed above in question number one are soft skills. They are the skills that truly differentiate the candidate. All candidates are expected to possess hard skills such as excel proficiency. It is the soft skills that get the job done. The ability to solve problems and to lead a team are the top requirements. Recent studies conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers consistently arrived at this conclusion, as did a recent Centenary University survey that included New Jersey and New York employers. These skills can be demonstrated through work experience, internships, and extra-curricular activities, including clubs and sports, which can serve as examples.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Accounting Coordinators?
Frank Longo: Proficiency with emerging technology is an attention-getter. We should note that the Certified Public Accountants Exam will contain three sections by 2024, including Data Analytics, Tax Compliance and Planning, and Information System and Controls. A basic knowledge will be required in each of these, and the CPA candidate will identify one area of the above for more detailed testing. This change in knowledge requirements reflects the skills employers see as most important to hire. Using technology in any of these areas can move a candidate to the top of the hiring list. We should emphasize that the job candidate does not need to be an expert in each area, but the ability to effectively use technology in one area is important. Employers are looking for the ability to use technology in information security, business processes, information systems, IT audits, data analytics, and tax planning but not all of them.
Keep in mind that successful firms performed audits, prepared tax returns, advised clients on data security, and much more during the pandemic, and they often did so remotely. This can be expected to continue into the future.
What skills will help Accounting Coordinators earn the most?
Frank Longo: Accountants are generally very well compensated in each of the areas we have discussed. The ability to combine critical soft skills, problem solving and teamwork, with almost any hard skill, including data analytics and information technology, will typically lead to higher pay. Having a CPA license or Certified Management Accountant designation can add to earnings potential. Many accountants do well financially without having either.
The bottom line or key take-a-way is that critical technological skills are required along with a personality that enables you to explain and discuss that technology to better work with teams and solve problems.
Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.
Director of Academic ServicesMichigan State University
Department of Accounting And Information Systems
What skills stand out on Accounting Coordinator resumes?
Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.: Quantitative, communication, critical thinking, analysis and problem solving, organization, strong work ethic.
What soft skills should all Accounting Coordinators possess?
Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.: Communication skills, both written and verbal. Accountants need to be storytellers and be able to explain and interpret accounting information to non-accountants. Employers also emphasize the importance of leading and working in teams.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Qian Song Ph.D.: The pandemic has accelerated the immersion of technology in our work and life. People work remotely, study remotely, shop online from grocery to furniture, tour the museums and consult a doctor virtually. Increased closures of brick and mortar stores and online business play a role in the surge of technology stocks. Thus, the pandemic has changed the way companies use technology to conduct business. Ultimately, accounting and other professionals are expected to be proficient in the use of technology in their work. The Big Four and other public accounting firms are increasing their investments in technology such as data analytics and robotic process automation. Entry-level accounting or structured, repetitive, and rule-based tasks are increasingly being automated. Such automation in business processes also occurs in other industries. It is only a matter of time before we see robots and machines (and they do not get COVID) taking over a large number of accounting and other jobs that can be automated. Advances in data analytics will speed up this process and change the nature of the accounting function. For example, instead of a traditional audit sampling, data analytics tools can be used to examine the entire dataset. The accounting firms are expected to hire more data science professionals rather than traditional accountants.
Accounting graduates will face challenges and also opportunities in today's advanced technological environment. Other than the basic accounting knowledge, accounting students can acquire data analytics and technological skills. Although accounting jobs are predicted to increase in the future, the increase is likely to be for the newly transformed accounting jobs that utilize technology
How have salaries changed over time for Accounting Coordinators?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: While starting salaries have not changed by that much in the accounting field, the big disparity comes with years of experience. As accountants gain valuable experience, compensation increases significantly. The rate of these changes has accelerated substantially in recent years. So while an accounting starting out now may not be making much more that they would have been a few years ago, after a few years they will be making much more.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: The good news is that there is still a high demand, if not an even greater demand for CPA's now. Individuals and companies are dealing with unpredictable business cycles and cash flows as well as constantly changing regulations. CPAs are needed to deal with all this and more. Of course, now that remote work is considered normal, it is likely here to stay in one form or another, deepening the pool of talent that employers can potentially dip into.
What technical skills for an Accounting Coordinator stand out to employers?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: For accountants, the same skills that were always needed such as proficiency with numbers, use of different types of computer software, and problem identification and solving are still needed. Emerging from the pandemic, there are also added skills such as the ability to work remotely and collaborate and share your work that will be important to employers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Qian Song Ph.D.: The pandemic has accelerated the immersion of technology in our work and life. People work remotely, study remotely, shop online from grocery to furniture, tour the museums and consult a doctor virtually. Increased closures of brick and mortar stores and online business play a role in the surge of technology stocks. Thus, the pandemic has changed the way companies use technology to conduct business. Ultimately, accounting and other professionals are expected to be proficient in the use of technology in their work. The Big Four and other public accounting firms are increasing their investments in technology such as data analytics and robotic process automation. Entry-level accounting or structured, repetitive, and rule-based tasks are increasingly being automated. Such automation in business processes also occurs in other industries. It is only a matter of time before we see robots and machines (and they do not get COVID) taking over a large number of accounting and other jobs that can be automated. Advances in data analytics will speed up this process and change the nature of the accounting function. For example, instead of a traditional audit sampling, data analytics tools can be used to examine the entire dataset. The accounting firms are expected to hire more data science professionals rather than traditional accountants.
Accounting graduates will face challenges and also opportunities in today's advanced technological environment. Other than the basic accounting knowledge, accounting students can acquire data analytics and technological skills. Although accounting jobs are predicted to increase in the future, the increase is likely to be for the newly transformed accounting jobs that utilize technology
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Accounting Coordinators?
Qian Song Ph.D.: Certifications in data analytics and other technological skills are expected to have the biggest impact on future job prospects. Universities such as MIT, Cornell, Columbia and organizations such as IBM, Dell and Microsoft are offering certifications in data analytics and other technology. An increasing number of institutions are adding business analytics degrees or data analytics and other technology courses in their curricula.
How have salaries changed over time for Accounting Coordinators?
Qian Song Ph.D.: Salaries vary according to the region, employers, and positions. Salaries seem to be relatively stable with a slight increase for inflation. However, salaries are higher for graduates with data analytics certifications or advanced data analytics skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Alee Phillips CPA: As you might know, accounting recruiting starts so early. Many students secure their entry-level job during the spring of their Junior year. That is when they are recruited for Senior year spring or summer internships that then lead to full time offers after the end of their Master in Accounting and CPA eligibility year. As far as I know, none of those offers were pulled during the pandemic. If we do have a decrease in accounting opportunities, I think it will not be seen for another year or so as companies adjust to hiring less interns during these challenging times.
Kevin Eller
Associate Professor of AccountingAppalachian State University
Walker College of Business, Department of Accounting
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Kevin Eller: I think the biggest pandemic-related trends in public accounting involve remote/virtual work. The pandemic forced employees at all levels, as well as clients, to embrace remote work. Public accounting firms have generally reserved remote/virtual work for manager-level and above, but this changed literally overnight. From my discussions with firms, it seems that some level of remote work is here to stay even after the pandemic ends. For instance, many audit clients have realized that a portion of the audit can be completed remotely rather than on site, which results in a cost savings to the client. I think remote work is here to stay in some capacity at all levels, including entry-level positions. New hires should be expecting this, especially at larger firms.
What technical skills for an Accounting Coordinator stand out to employers?
Kevin Eller: Skills in data analytics really stand out to potential employers in the field of public accounting, particularly in larger firms. In addition, firms are looking for employees who are always striving to learn and willing to seek out answers. I heard a story from one firm about an intern who was given a task with a time budget of around 12 hours. Using resources and tutorials found on YouTube, the student figured out a way to complete (and essentially automate) the task in Excel, and it only took around two hours (and in the future the task would take just a matter of minutes due to the automation). The firm was extremely impressed by this student's initiative, and the student received a full-time job offer. The firm representative commented, "that is the kind of employee we are always looking for." Lastly, communication skills and critical thinking skills have been and continue to be important to employers in accounting.
How have salaries changed over time for Accounting Coordinators?
Kevin Eller: From what I have seen at the entry level, compensation in public accounting has been stable in recent years, and only modest increases are expected this coming year. However, demand in public accounting is still very strong and will likely continue growing. As has been the case for many years, opportunities for significant increases in compensation in public accounting come through advancement and promotion.
Magdy Farag Ph.D.
Professor and ChairCalifornia State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)
Accounting Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Accounting Coordinators?
Magdy Farag Ph.D.: This is difficult to gauge right now. The transition to online teaching happened so quickly with very minimal preparation. Online teaching is very challenging to instructors and students, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, both instructors and students did not have a choice. The educational system had to quickly transition to this remote environment that many resisted for a long time. Due to this quick transition, teaching delivery was not very effective, students' comprehension of knowledge was disturbed, and students' evaluation was less strict. All of these factors might impact the quality of graduates temporarily. Graduates will have the opportunity to catch up on what they missed through their professional experiences. This is why "an enduring impact" is a very extreme statement. I would rather use "temporary impact" to reflect on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates.
What's a day at work look like for an Accounting Coordinator?
Magdy Farag Ph.D.: The world is now more accepting of the idea of remote work. A traditional nine-to-five accounting job is definitely changing. Recent graduates should be prepared to work more from home with more flexible hours. They are now trained for online and virtual meetings. Virtual communication is an essential tool that is needed for any recent graduate. Supervision is also going to be different as completing a task will be measured by the final results. I would expect that directions from supervisors will be reduced as recent graduates are expected to rely heavily on their own research to find answers and to complete tasks in their own way using their own tools. Recent graduates should be aware of the importance of improving their skills to adapt and work in a virtual environment that the world is heading to right now.
What will help Accounting Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Magdy Farag Ph.D.: In the accounting field, people must be aware of the importance of improving their credentials. Accounting graduates must earn a professional certification related to the field of their work. Obtaining a CPA license, for example, is a necessity to survive in this field. It is also important for people to be aware of changes in the profession. Analytics is an important element in the accounting world. Accountants deal with a large amount of data and information that can be used in financial analyses that they were never exposed to before. They should acquire the knowledge and the skills needed to survive in this new world that is very dynamic and full of a significant amount of relationships that impact decision-making. Without acquiring these credentials and skills, earnings potential might be negatively impacted.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: With or without the pandemic, the most dominant trend in the accounting field is the need to continually upgrade one's skills and knowledge base. For several years, accounting has found ways to incorporate technology to automate routine tasks. The pandemic has been a catalyst to accelerate this evolution. This means that those who do not stay current will find their employment opportunities diminishing as their time in the workforce progresses. Those who can develop the skills and knowledge to be and remain at the front of their field's trends will have the most employment opportunities during their time in the workforce.
As I often tell my students, the days of simply having one degree and being done for life are long gone. Assuming the trends in educational attainment across the nation continue as they have since 1991, a bachelor's degree is no longer sufficient for those in the workforce. In every field, one will need at least one master's degree to remain viable in the workforce during the next 30 or more years. In fact, I've noticed a trend in the workforce where people have multiple master's degrees and some even have multiple research and professional doctorate degrees, albeit a much smaller percentage of the workforce than those that have not gone beyond the master's degree level.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Accounting Coordinators?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: As a student (both undergraduate and graduate), the most important experience you can have while a student is collaborating with faculty on research projects that lead to co-authorship of academic research publications in legitimate, highly visible journals. For the past several years, higher education institutions have advocated for continual learning (AKA lifetime learning). I see this become more of a requirement than an elective as the workforce evolves over the next few decades. The institutions that will be truly successful in adding long-term value to their students' futures in the workforce are the ones that embrace research in high quality journals AND include their students on their projects. The collaboration of students with faculty on academic research that addresses real life problems or pushes the field forward is critical to those students' future success because it helps them understand the value of and how to use academic research. That experience also equips these students with the skills necessary to be able to identify early where their field of expertise is going throughout their careers. The engagement of students with current research projects at the undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education is a trend that is emerging in the business disciplines and it will become more obvious as the workforce evolves. In the long run, the lack of engaging students at all levels through serious academic research will certainly contribute to hastening the demise of financially insecure higher education institutions in the U.S.
Regarding certifications and licenses in the accounting field, I cannot emphasize enough that anyone entering the accounting field must make it a priority to obtain more than just the minimum licenses and credentials required to obtain or retain an employment opportunity. Meeting just the minimum expectations of their employment market is insufficient and will limit their employment opportunities. As Charles Windeknecht of Atlas Air Worldwide once said to some of my students, "Today is the day to get ready for the opportunities of tomorrow. If you don't, the opportunities of tomorrow will pass you by." His words are very accurate. To maximize one's employment opportunities while in the workforce, each of us need to exceed the minimum qualifications and expectations of every role we hold and pursue in the workforce. With that in mind, I highly recommend and encourage those in the accounting field to obtain the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as a minimum qualification goal because this is the #1 credential sought by employers according to Robert Half International (see https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/finance-and-accounting-certifications-employers-want-to-see). Based on the data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, I conclude that approximately half of the people working in the accounting field hold an active CPA license. This statistic alone is suffient enough to justify the CPA as everyone's first license/credential goal in the accounting field. Once that goal has been satisfied, I recommend that each person quickly shift their focus to any major licenses and certifications that are more in line with their career goals and current career opportunities. For example, if a CPA wants to work primarily in income taxation, then that person should also obtain the Enrolled Agent (EA) credential because it adds tangible value to those in the tax field. I also recommend that CPAs and EAs in the tax field consider obtaining the US Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP) credential. Another example involves CPAs who want to work in internal audit; they should obtain the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and other related credentials offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors as quickly as they can. CPAs who want to work in the fraud examination field should consider the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. CPAs who want to seek management positions should consider the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and/or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Management Accountants.
I highly recommend that "minor" credentials in every field be avoided because they do not add value to one's career. Instead, those consume valuable resources including time and money. Everyone is much better off pursuing well established and widely recognized licenses and credentials that are highly desired by employers and serve to enhance one's career opportunities. With that in mind, the list compiled by Robert Half International is a great starting place. As a selling point to get people to spend their money, most organizations that offer a professional credential in the accounting field make a claim that their credential holders make more money than those without the promoted credential. Such statements are often very misleading or not true. Unless one works for a beauracy (like the federal government), obtaining the next degree or license or certification does not normally result in a salary increase. Instead, the major accounting licenses and credentials will create more career opportunities for their holders that, depending on how one performs with the new opportunities, could lead to other better compensated opportunities. In other words, an employee's performance has a larger role in influencing compensation over time than some of these organizations are willing to acknowlege in their quest to entice people to spend their money to obtain the promoted credentials.
What's a good job out of college for Accounting Coordinators?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: Because of the CPA experience requirements by some states (California is an example), I recommend that students consider spending some time as external auditors to meet any state-mandated experience requirements in external audit. If a student's target state's CPA license qualifications does not require experience in external audit, then I highly recommend that students first spend five years as an accountant or as an internal auditor in a sizeable corporation before entering external audit. In my opinion (which is contrary to the commonly promoted career path in the accounting field), the time spent in corporate accounting or internal audit will make them more effective at external audit when they enter it, in part, because they will be less gullible and better positioned to recognize problems within the accounting systems and the organizations they audit. If a student wants to work in tax, I highly recommend that they enter public accounting first because it will certainly expose them to numerous situations and learning experiences that they cannot get anywhere else.
Lori Dunn CPA
LecturerPenn State Wilkes-Barre and World Campus
Department of Business Administration and Accounting
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Lori Dunn CPA: The largest trend in the job market for accounting careers is remote working. Professionals have already seen this transition even for entry level positions. Many interviews and onboarding are occurring remotely as well as most accounting tasks in a position. We may see this continue to be the trend even after the pandemic levels off. As indicated in the Robert Half Accounting and Finance Salary Guide 2021, the top skills that are going to be expected of professionals in accounting as a result of the pandemic include: technology skills in cloud based systems as well as data analytics, soft skills including working independently, exhibiting creativity, strong writing and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to be a team player virtually. Although all of these skills have been necessary, the pandemic has brought them to the forefront when hiring accounting talent.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Accounting Coordinators?
Lori Dunn CPA: The most well-known licenses in accounting are the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Both of these licenses are still the licenses to get. However there are more specific licenses that can be attained in the accounting field dependent on where the accountant may specialize. For example a Certified Fraud Examiner, may be a license that an accountant in the forensic accounting field may want to earn. Whether the CPA, CMA, CFE or other license, attaining a license in a specialized field of accounting can only help talent to attain that position they are interested in.
As for course work, assuming a student has earned a bachelor's degree in accounting, the accountant should be sure to continue coursework in technology.
An understanding and use of cloud base technologies as well as data analytics software such as Tableau or Power BI are necessary skills that attractive talent must be experienced in. Recruiters also expect accounting talent to have experience in spreadsheet and accounting software.
A specialized master's degree is another way for talent to set themselves apart. There are specialty master's degrees in Finance, Taxation, Accounting and many other areas an accountant may want to focus on. If an accountant wants to attain a position in a specialty area, this advanced degree may help set them apart from other candidates.
How have salaries changed over time for Accounting Coordinators?
Lori Dunn CPA: Salaries have increased steadily over the years in the accounting profession at all levels. They tend not to stagnate and usually show an increase of at least cost of living each year. The outlook for the coming year according to Robert Half Accounting and Finance Salary Guide 2021 is that accounting position salaries will remain stable even during the pandemic. This is good news for not only new but seasoned talent as well.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Accounting Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
David Folsom Ph.D.: Although hiring for new graduates has slowed some, accounting firms are still recruiting for new positions. The students who have placed good job positions demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and a clear vision of what they can offer the firms/companies that employ them. Being able to successfully use technology and adapt to new technology is a needed skill as the workplace for accountants has largely moved to home or remote work. I believe the pandemic accelerated a commitment in the accounting profession to increased flexibility for workers and increased reliance on emerging technologies.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Accounting Coordinators?
David Folsom Ph.D.: I believe the CPA certification is still the "gold standard" for the accounting profession. Being a licensed CPA will give new accountants the most current and future career opportunities. I recommend new graduates have a clear plan on how they will achieve this certification post-graduation. Many large accounting firms will not seriously consider candidates without a clear path to becoming a CPA. Completing at least a section of the CPA test very quickly after graduation is evidence of this commitment.
The CMA certification is also very helpful in the job market, particularly for non-public accounting job prospects. Any accounting-based certifications (e.g., internal audit, forensic accounting, etc.) will help candidates distinguish themselves from their peers. However, a CPA license will provide the most opportunities as a standalone license. Having additional certifications beyond a CPA will only enhance a candidate's job prospects.
What's a good job out of college for Accounting Coordinators?
David Folsom Ph.D.: Jobs in public accounting are excellent for new graduates. All of these firms (international, national, or local firms) generally provide assistance and incentives for new hires to become CPAs. Many positions in these firms allow new hires to see numerous different business situations that are valuable in the future. Many "industry" companies covet accountants who have public accounting experience for managerial or even executive positions. New graduates taking such positions will be exposed to a variety of business models and generally quickly create valuable contacts across many different industries.