Accounting manager vs chief accountant

The differences between accounting managers and chief accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become an accounting manager, becoming a chief accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an accounting manager has an average salary of $84,451, which is higher than the $61,481 average annual salary of a chief accountant.

The top three skills for an accounting manager include reconciliations, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a chief accountant are external auditors, reconciliations, and general ledger accounts.

Accounting manager vs chief accountant overview

	Accounting Manager	Chief Accountant
Yearly salary	$84,451	$61,481
Hourly rate	$40.60	$29.56
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	92,089	52,287
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	8	4

What does an accounting manager do?

An accounting manager is responsible for supervising and monitoring the overall accounting department operations. Duties of an accounting manager include reviewing account information and account statements, processing invoices, analyzing financial data, performing account reconciliations, assisting with tax processing and audit reports, and generating financial reports for presentation with the board. An accounting manager must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles and legislation to assist the team with the company's financial goals. Accounting managers must have the outstanding analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills to develop the best competitive financial strategies.

What does a chief accountant do?

Chief accountants develop financial strategies, oversee the accounting department, make investment decisions, and develop financial strategies. They provide assistance to departments with their reviews and budgets, tax studies, and internal control. It is part of their job to respond to the accounting questions from time management. They take charge of monitoring and recording financial transactions based on corporate regulations and policies. Also, they recommend changes to the procedures of accounting.

Accounting manager vs chief accountant salary

Accounting managers and chief accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Accounting Manager	Chief Accountant
Average salary	$84,451	$61,481
Salary range	Between $60,000 And $117,000	Between $43,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Vermont	New York
Best paying company	Morgan Lewis	IBM
Best paying industry	Finance	Retail

Differences between accounting manager and chief accountant education

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

	Accounting Manager	Chief Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Accounting manager vs chief accountant demographics

Here are the differences between accounting managers' and chief accountants' demographics:

	Accounting Manager	Chief Accountant
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 40.4% Female, 59.6%	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.3% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	7%

Differences between accounting manager and chief accountant duties and responsibilities

Accounting manager example responsibilities.

Refine the 'pro forma invoice' system process to manage prepayments of client invoices enhancing efficiency and adding value.
Work independently on line of business projects to automate derivative processes and system enhancement testing.
Manage payroll and all taxation matters, coordinate independent audit; communicate with outside organizations and agencies.
Lead team that develop templates and procedure documentation of key controls within general accounting to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley.
Lead successful international enterprise wide ERP migration and experience in analysis, testing, documentation, design and implementation.
Conduct corporate treasury management planning and analysis, manages controls for inventory and cost accumulation for all products sell.

Chief accountant example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Prepare monthly trial balance, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements according to GAAP.
Prepare monthly account reconciliations (bank reconciliation, accounts receivable reconciliation, accounts payable reconciliation, and general ledger reconciliation).
Research, advise and resolve accounting and business issues, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and head office requirements.
Monitor deposits and withdrawals of revenue and expenses, review payroll, and ensure accurate processing and timely bank reconciliations.
Prepare daily SOX audit documentation, ensuring that bank account activity have been reconcile and to identify any outstanding variances.

Accounting manager vs chief accountant skills

Common accounting manager skills

Reconciliations, 10%
CPA, 9%
GAAP, 7%
Customer Service, 5%
Payroll Processing, 4%
Internal Controls, 4%

Common chief accountant skills

External Auditors, 13%
Reconciliations, 10%
General Ledger Accounts, 9%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 7%
Financial Reports, 5%
Internal Controls, 4%

Accounting Manager vs. similar jobs

Accounting Manager related careers

Accounting Manager related jobs

Accounting Manager jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Accounting Manager
Accounting Manager vs Chief Accountant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs