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Accounting director vs account manager

The differences between accounting directors and account managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an accounting director and an account manager. Additionally, an accounting director has an average salary of $132,126, which is higher than the $68,535 average annual salary of an account manager.

The top three skills for an accounting director include CPA, GAAP and internal controls. The most important skills for an account manager are customer service, account management, and healthcare.

Accounting director vs account manager overview

Accounting DirectorAccount Manager
Yearly salary$132,126$68,535
Hourly rate$63.52$32.95
Growth rate17%5%
Number of jobs56,323152,261
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does an accounting director do?

An Accounting Director supervises the general accounting and financial reporting functions, as well as financial services within a company or organization. They also ensure that all transactions and financial policies for their organization meet federal regulations and standards.

What does an account manager do?

Account managers are employees who act as the bridge between the company they represent and the client of the company. They are assigned to handle specific clients so that the company will be able to tailor-fit any product or service according to the clients' requirements. Account managers are responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship between the two parties by ensuring that any agreement made is amenable to both the company and the client. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company will be able to provide the needs of the client within any limitation that the client may have. Account managers also ensure that the company's reputation and well-being are always considered in any dealings.

Accounting director vs account manager salary

Accounting directors and account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting DirectorAccount Manager
Average salary$132,126$68,535
Salary rangeBetween $89,000 And $193,000Between $42,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityCambridge, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companyYuma Regional Medical CenterNVIDIA
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between accounting director and account manager education

There are a few differences between an accounting director and an account manager in terms of educational background:

Accounting DirectorAccount Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Accounting director vs account manager demographics

Here are the differences between accounting directors' and account managers' demographics:

Accounting DirectorAccount Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 52.0% Female, 48.0%Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%7%

Differences between accounting director and account manager duties and responsibilities

Accounting director example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate ACH preparation, positive pay and execution activities.
  • Manage and review annual preparation of work papers for CPA firm to coordinate federal returns and state franchise returns.
  • Manage daily receipts, payment reversals, adjustments, ACH and wire payments, and other accounts receivable activity.
  • Lead finance team in major ERP implementation project in the areas of inventory, accounts payable, and general ledger.
  • Lead the effort to establish accounting policy, streamline operating procedures and implement Sarbanes-Oxley compliance processes.
  • Manage foundation accounting and establish internal accounting controls and accounting procedures to ensure contributions are accounted for in accordance with GAAP.
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Account manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial departments with responsibility for managing payroll, bank re-consolidations, bank deposits, budgeting and cost control.
  • Manage $4 million territory encompassing three Mid-Atlantic states.
  • Manage new business and renewals for leading Saas legal solution.
  • Manage an inside sales territory of multiple states with Avaya technology solutions.
  • Negotiate and manage all contracts and pricing for IDN's in the territory.
  • Manage customers' accounts utilizing laptop and internet base CMS reporting software and ADM field guide.
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Accounting director vs account manager skills

Common accounting director skills
  • CPA, 10%
  • GAAP, 9%
  • Internal Controls, 7%
  • Reconciliations, 5%
  • External Auditors, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
Common account manager skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Account Management, 8%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%

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