Cost accountant vs general ledger accountant

The differences between cost accountants and general ledger accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a cost accountant and a general ledger accountant. Additionally, a cost accountant has an average salary of $60,528, which is higher than the $60,034 average annual salary of a general ledger accountant.

The top three skills for a cost accountant include reconciliations, variance analysis and GAAP. The most important skills for a general ledger accountant are reconciliations, GAAP, and balance sheet accounts.

Cost accountant vs general ledger accountant overview

	Cost Accountant	General Ledger Accountant
Yearly salary	$60,528	$60,034
Hourly rate	$29.10	$28.86
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	39,925	81,408
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does a cost accountant do?

A cost accountant specializes in determining the total cost incurred by a company from producing goods and services. Through the various financial data they collect, the cost accountant will devise plans and strategies that will be a vital factor in the next budget and marketing preparations of a company. Aside from this, a cost accountant is responsible for various tasks such as conducting research and analysis in different areas, keeping financial records and inventory, producing financial reports involving profitability and expenditures, and proposing a budget and other financial plans.

What does a general ledger accountant do?

A general ledger accountant is in charge of ensuring the accuracy of a company's overall accounting processes and information. It is their responsibility to communicate with different departments and officials to gather necessary data, conduct extensive audits, prepare documentation and reports, maintain financial data on the company ledger, and interpret financial information. Furthermore, like a general ledger accountant, it is essential to monitor the progress of accounting processes, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Cost accountant vs general ledger accountant salary

Cost accountants and general ledger accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cost Accountant	General Ledger Accountant
Average salary	$60,528	$60,034
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $81,000	Between $47,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	Edison, NJ	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Google	Citi
Best paying industry	Energy	Technology

Differences between cost accountant and general ledger accountant education

There are a few differences between a cost accountant and a general ledger accountant in terms of educational background:

	Cost Accountant	General Ledger Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Cost accountant vs general ledger accountant demographics

Here are the differences between cost accountants' and general ledger accountants' demographics:

	Cost Accountant	General Ledger Accountant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.6% Female, 47.4%	Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 12.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between cost accountant and general ledger accountant duties and responsibilities

Cost accountant example responsibilities.

Manage ledgers and perform month end journal entries.
Manage the payroll with ADP system and account receivable.
Manage costing control as well as accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R).
Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
Prepare raw material and WIP inventory reconciliations.
Develop tracking of GAAP inventory valuation for all inventory inherit from the bankrupt former company.

General ledger accountant example responsibilities.

Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
Perform account analysis, cost accruals, bank reconciliations, inventory reconciliation and analysis; research and recommend transaction corrections.
Maintain ERP general ledger and data in sub module, and perform the expenditure review according to budgeting.
Prepare monthly, reconciliations of subsidiary ledgers to general ledger control accounts.
Reconcile general ledger accounts which including preparing journal entries and accruals in preparation of consolidate financial reports.
Prepare various monthly journal entries to record prepay insurance amortization, payroll deduction liabilities and other liability accruals.

Cost accountant vs general ledger accountant skills

Common cost accountant skills

Reconciliations, 9%
Variance Analysis, 6%
GAAP, 4%
Account Reconciliations, 3%
Cost Analysis, 3%
Financial Analysis, 3%

Common general ledger accountant skills

Reconciliations, 15%
GAAP, 6%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Accruals, 5%
External Auditors, 4%

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Cost Accountant vs General Ledger Accountant

Updated January 8, 2025

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