Chief accountant vs management accounts manager

The differences between chief accountants and management accounts managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a chief accountant, becoming a management accounts manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a management accounts manager has an average salary of $91,681, which is higher than the $61,481 average annual salary of a chief accountant.

The top three skills for a chief accountant include external auditors, reconciliations and general ledger accounts. The most important skills for a management accounts manager are customer service, client facing, and project management.

Chief accountant vs management accounts manager overview

	Chief Accountant	Management Accounts Manager
Yearly salary	$61,481	$91,681
Hourly rate	$29.56	$44.08
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	52,287	113,871
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

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.

What does a management accounts manager do?

A management accounts manager is responsible for maintaining healthy business relationships with clients by handling their project accounts, improving account management procedures, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the company. Management accounts managers compile portfolio reports, including how the client's account performs in the market and its financial stability. They also negotiate contracts, settle terms and agreements, and ensure the highest customer experience by implementing strategic plans to enhance the company's services.

Chief accountant vs management accounts manager salary

Chief accountants and management accounts managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Accountant	Management Accounts Manager
Average salary	$61,481	$91,681
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $87,000	Between $66,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	IBM	Meta
Best paying industry	Retail	Energy

Differences between chief accountant and management accounts manager education

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

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

Chief accountant vs management accounts manager demographics

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

	Chief Accountant	Management Accounts Manager
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%	Male, 48.6% Female, 51.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	11%

Differences between chief accountant and management accounts manager duties and responsibilities

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.

Management accounts manager example responsibilities.

Manage company strategic initiatives for the Americas.
Specialize in data collection logistics and documentation on specific vehicles and manage inventory using CRM applications.
Report directly to the VP of Americas on all sales base initiatives.
Coordinate financial closings and consolidations working to enhance the Solomon ERP system.
Serve as project team lead from the accounting department for the ERP system conversion to JD Edwards.
Conduct quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley testing and documentation.

Chief accountant vs management accounts manager skills

Common chief accountant skills

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

Common management accounts manager skills

Customer Service, 18%
Client Facing, 7%
Project Management, 6%
Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Business Development, 6%
CRM, 4%

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Chief Accountant vs Management Accounts Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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