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How to hire an accounting manager

Accounting manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring accounting managers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 414,973 accounting managers in the US, and there are currently 92,089 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire an accounting manager is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per accounting manager 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.
  • Chicago, IL, has the highest demand for accounting managers, with 128 job openings.

How to hire an accounting manager, step by step

To hire an accounting manager, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an accounting manager:

Here's a step-by-step accounting manager hiring guide:

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

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what an accounting manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the accounting manager you need to hire. Certain accounting manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An accounting manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, accounting managers 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.

    Here's a comparison of accounting manager salaries for various roles:

    Type of Accounting ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Accounting ManagerFinancial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.$28-56
    Manager/Finance AccountingA manager of finance accounting's role is to oversee the financial activities in a company or organization. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather financial data, analyze the revenues and expenditures, and develop written reports and presentations... Show more$31-61
    Cash ManagerA cash manager is responsible for monitoring cash flow, analyzing financial transactions, and allocating adequate budget and resources for every department's operations. Cash managers conduct data and statistical analysis to determine the company's expenses and financial loss and strategize techniques in minimizing those risks... Show more$31-62
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Reconciliations
    • CPA
    • GAAP
    • Customer Service
    • Payroll Processing
    • Internal Controls
    • External Auditors
    • General Ledger Accounts
    • Close Process
    • Account Reconciliations
    • Fixed Assets
    • ERP
    • Financial Data
    • SOX
    Check all skills
    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.
    More accounting manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your accounting manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An accounting manager can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, accounting managers' average salary in hawaii is 53% less than in vermont.
    • Seniority. Entry-level accounting managers 49% less than senior-level accounting managers.
    • Certifications. An accounting manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an accounting manager's salary.

    Average accounting manager salary

    $84,451yearly

    $40.60 hourly rate

    Entry-level accounting manager salary
    $60,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 5, 2025

    Average accounting manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$112,794$54
    2Washington$100,373$48
    3New York$99,604$48
    4Oregon$97,658$47
    5Massachusetts$94,298$45
    6Connecticut$93,992$45
    7Nevada$91,102$44
    8District of Columbia$90,957$44
    9Maryland$88,789$43
    10Maine$86,549$42
    11Pennsylvania$86,343$42
    12Virginia$84,729$41
    13Minnesota$81,299$39
    14Ohio$80,899$39
    15Utah$80,644$39
    16Illinois$79,566$38
    17North Carolina$78,797$38
    18Arizona$76,894$37
    19Colorado$75,741$36
    20Texas$74,536$36

    Average accounting manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Morgan Lewis$155,116$74.58
    2Cambridge Associates$152,651$73.39
    3Venture Back Office$151,185$72.69
    4Meta$151,150$72.6731
    5Clifford Chance$147,545$70.94
    6Google$143,547$69.019
    7Apple$140,252$67.4314
    8Thrive Global$138,929$66.79
    9Neighborly$138,623$66.65
    10Lyft$137,912$66.304
    11PayPal$135,741$65.265
    12Crestline Investors$134,726$64.77
    13Southern California Edison$132,680$63.795
    14Vista Equity Partners$132,517$63.712
    15Riverbed Holdings, Inc.$132,194$63.55
    16HBO$131,907$63.42
    17Roofstock$131,768$63.35
    18Discovery$131,504$63.22
    19Microsoft$131,334$63.1469
    20VMware$131,227$63.09
  4. Writing an accounting manager job description

    A job description for an accounting manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an accounting manager job description:

    Accounting manager job description example

    About: Macy’s is proudly America’s Department Store. There’s a reason we’ve been around for 160 years. Customers come to us for fashion, value, and high-quality products.

    Now is an exciting time to join Macy’s. The face of retail is changing, and change requires innovation. Online sales are booming at Macy’s. Our Distribution Center teams are key to our success in the modern retail landscape.

    They make sure that products arrive at our stores - and each customer’s doorstep - on time, in perfect condition. Behind the scenes, a lot goes into getting products to customers. When a shopper makes an online purchase, we plan, prep, and package the merchandise to get it delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible – across the country and around the world.

    It takes a lot of smart people working together to make that happen, and so there are many roles you can play, including (but not limited to): material handlers, equipment drivers, inventory control, packers, quality assurance, safety specialists, asset protection, and many more. Whatever role you play – we value you as a colleague. Choose the challenge that’s right for you! Job Overview: Macy’s Identifier/Audit colleagues perform all functions related to identifying merchandise and resolving problems in a timely manner. Essential Functions: * Complete Product Information Forms and Problem Form and ensure merchandise is processed accordingly. * Key in weights and measures. * Perform Flow & Fix function. * Move shipment to problem lane if necessary. * Effectively utilize computer systems, WMS and Stella. * Function as a resource to support department initiatives in identifying problems and developing solution. * Ability to utilize resources in order to maintain and improve department through put. Qualifications and Competencies: * No Education or Experience Required * No experience required * Ability to read and interpret instructional documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals * Resourceful self-starter, works well independently as well as part of a team * Must be proficient in the use of computers and handheld technology * Ability to work a flexible schedule, including day, evening, weekends, and/or holidays Physical Requirements: * Position requires prolonged periods of standing/walking around store or department * May involve reaching, crouching, kneeling, stooping, climbing ladders, depth perception and color vision * Frequent use of computers and other technology necessary to perform job duties, including handheld electronic equipment. * Frequently lift/move up to 50lbs WAREHOUSE00 Supply Chain Only and Colleagues Working in a Supply Chain Facility except in locations governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement: Random drug testing for all colleagues will be conducted on a monthly or semi-monthly basis, depending upon factors including but not limited to the size of the facility and the number of colleagues on roll.

    Colleagues will be randomly selected for testing by a third party. Testing must be completed on the same workday the colleague is informed of selection for testing, absent extenuating circumstances. In all circumstances, testing must be completed within 24 hours of notification.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find accounting managers for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your accounting manager job on Zippia to find and recruit accounting manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit accounting managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 manager

    Once you have selected a candidate for the accounting manager 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. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new accounting manager 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, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • 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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How much does it cost to hire an accounting manager?

Hiring an accounting manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting accounting managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of accounting manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $84,451 per year for an accounting manager, 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 managers in the US typically range between $28 and $56 an hour.

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