How To Write An Accountant Job Description

Accountants can be found working in the finance departments of large companies or corporations, as part of a private accounting firm, or on their own, whether as a small business or a freelance accountant working for larger companies.

They can help anyone from your next-door neighbor’s family to multimillion-dollar international corporations. It all depends on their credentials, experience, and preference.

Accountants help businesses make financial decisions, help individuals file their taxes, analyze reports to determine financial forecasts, collaborate in preparing budgets, and so much more.

What Does an Accountant Do?

An accountant is a professional who manages, manipulates, interprets, and reports the financial data of an individual, organization, or company. Each individual accountant will be responsible for a wide range of finance-related tasks set forth by the company or individual clients they serve.

It is their job to keep you, or your company, compliant with the rules and regulations set by the local, state, and federal governments. If your company or organization has any specific rules and regulations, the accountant would be responsible for upholding these as well.

Accountants use their expert knowledge of financial practices to:

• Prepare financial statements and ensure that those financial statements are accurate

• Ensure taxes are filed and paid on time

• Analyze all financial data

• Ensure debts are both paid and collected in a timely manner

• Evaluate financial health to recommend best practices and provide guidance on cost reduction, profit maximization, and intelligent financial moves

There is an expectation that accountants act honestly, display ethical behavior, and maintain the confidentiality of their clients.

Duties and Responsibilities of an Accountant

This may come as quite a surprise, but accountants perform accounting-related tasks.

The duties that accountants perform vary widely and will be dependent on the employer and the industry they serve. Regardless of whether they serve a corporation or an individual, their primary duty is to prepare, analyze, and legally file financial records.

It is their responsibility to make sure that their client’s and employers’ records are compliant with laws, regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

The duties your accountant may perform are as follows:

• Preparing and examining financial statements such as the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and other financial reports

• Preparing asset, liability, and capital account entries

• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements

• Resolving discrepancies or irregularities in records, statements, or documented transactions

• Entering transactions and reconciling account balances, statements, and ledgers

• Submitting invoices to accounts and following up on payment

• Cooperating with external auditors if necessary

• Calculating employee paychecks each payment period

• Generating company’s financial reports daily, weekly, quarterly, or annually

• Preparing budgets and making recommendations

• Reviewing and preparing all tax obligations

• Managing income and expenditure accounts

• Recording payments and disbursements

• Recommending strategic financial moves based on current revenue numbers

• Reporting to management, key stakeholders, investors, or other decision-makers

Skills and Qualifications of an Accountant

There are certain hard skills and soft skills that an accountant should possess in order to best perform the duties and responsibilities the job requires.

The specific skills and qualifications will vary based on your individual need. Generally, there are specific skills that all accountants should possess. But the needs of your company for this role may alter the expectations. Be aware of what this role will need and be sure to express those needs in the job description.

Accountants should possess and demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills

• Strong analytical skills

• Advanced mathematical skills

• Attention to detail

• Time management skills

• Strong computer skills

• Ethical behavior and the ability to maintain confidentiality

• Data entry skills

• Ability to create and organize advanced reports

• Problem-solving skills

• Organizational skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and spreadsheet software

• Excellent understanding of accounting laws, regulations, and procedures (like GAAP)

• Experience with accounting and finance software like QuickBooks or Xero

Accountant Salary Expectations

Salary expectations for accountants will vary greatly depending on the candidate’s experience level, the location of the position, and the industry or organization being served.

The median salary for accountants across the United States is approximately $73,000 per year. The bottom 10% average $45,000 per year, and the top 10% average $128,000 per year.

Those who serve in the finance or insurance industries will expect to make more; the average salary for accountants in these industries is $78,600 per year, about $5000 more than the national average.

Those working in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, and Washington DC will expect higher salaries than other states or districts. The average salary in these areas is anywhere from $88,000 to $110,000 per year.

However, those working in South Carolina, Nevada, North Dakota, Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, or Montana may expect less annual compensation than other accountants. The average salary in these states is below the national average and ranges from $66,000 to $68,000 per year.

Salary requirements also differ for accountants who have earned a CPA designation versus those who have not. There can be a significant difference in salary expectations for those who have earned the title of Certified Public Accountant, regardless of whether or not the designation is a requirement for the position.

Education Requirements for an Accountant

Accountants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or other related fields.

Some entry-level positions may only require an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree is standard for the industry. Accountants in management positions may be required to hold a master’s degree in accounting, finance, taxation, or an MBA with a concentration in accounting or finance.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, many accountants will go on to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA). While non-certified accountants can perform some accounting tasks, only a CPA can perform certain more advanced accounting tasks. Currently, only about 30-45% of accountants hold a CPA designation.

Additional accounting certifications that can make candidates more qualified are Certified Management Accountant (CMA), International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA), and Certified Financial Accountant (CFA).

Experience Requirements for an Accountant

Although there are entry-level accountant positions, some positions will require several years of experience in order to qualify.

In addition to experience on the job, the role may require experience with certain software, regulations, or reports.

Accountants may be expected to have expert-level knowledge and extensive experience with:

• Spreadsheet software such as Excel or Google Sheets

• Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs

• Financial reporting requirements

• Federal, state, and local financial laws and regulations

• Accounting and financial software — if your company uses specific software, it should be mentioned by name in the job listing

Advanced positions may require additional certifications such as Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Bookkeeper (CB).

Example of Staff Accountant Job Description

Author

Samantha Goddiess

Samantha is a lifelong writer who has been writing professionally for the last six years. After graduating with honors from Greensboro College with a degree in English & Communications, she went on to find work as an in-house copywriter for several companies including Costume Supercenter, and Blueprint Education.