How To Become An Accounting/Office Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an accounting/office manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Janet Tarase

The job of an accounting office manager is to manage and oversee the daily activities of the accounting department. They maintain detailed books, accounts, and payroll records of the organization. They also monitor and analyze statistical and accounting data to produce financial statements.

Accounting Office Managers are responsible for recommending new accounting principles, programs, and practices to the management in line with the organization's goals and objectives. They enforce these programs and more upon approval.

Although essential, only have decision-making, communication, problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills might not cut it. If you would love to be an accounting office manager, you would need to earn at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or any related discipline. You must also have a minimum of two years of experience and become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). By doing so, you will earn an average base salary of $107,628, which ranges between $95,438 and $121,306.

What general advice would you give to an accounting/office manager?

Janet Tarase

Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department Chair, Red Rocks Community College

Create a vision board to set your yearly objectives and a long-term strategic plan that includes your professional and personal goal aspirations; be prepared to modify both of these guides as things change in your life. Join LinkedIn, if you haven't already, update it and make sure it is current. Make connections with a local professionals' group and create a network of like-minded, goal-oriented individuals. Also find a mentor or ask senior employees for their advice and counseling. Clean up your social media accounts or at the very least mark your questionable content as private so you are not sharing it publicly; become the professional you want to be. Continue your professional development, either through your employer, free online programs, or by furthering your education. Keep track of your accomplishments and continue to update your biography and resume. Finally, be appreciative and modest - thank those that help you and make sure to acknowledge those who participated in your successes.

ScoreAccounting/Office ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $50,431

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 5.55%

Black or African American 10.05%

Hispanic or Latino 17.92%

Unknown 4.77%

White 61.06%

Gender

female 87.52%

male 12.48%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an accounting/office manager

Explore accounting/office manager education requirements

Most common accounting/office manager degrees

Bachelor's

47.4 %

Associate

30.3 %

High School Diploma

9.9 %

Start to develop specific accounting/office manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	10.50%
Reconciliations	8.21%
General Ledger Accounts	6.38%
Purchase Orders	5.33%
Credit Card	4.90%

Complete relevant accounting/office manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounting/office managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounting/office manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounting/office manager resumes.

Research accounting/office manager duties and responsibilities

Train employees how to sign into ADP, request PTO and manage deductions and banking.
Manage all accounting functions relate to cost accounting, AP / AR and general ledger.
Conduct corporate treasury management planning and analysis, manages controls for inventory and cost accumulation for all products sell.
Optimize billing processes, resolve delinquent accounts, and utilize QuickBooks expertise in tracking AR/AP, profits and overhead.

Prepare your accounting/office manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your accounting/office manager resume.

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