Post job

What is a finance reporting accountant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Nate Peach Ph.D.

A finance reporting accountant prepares periodic financial statements required for external reporting. They collect and analyze financial data, ensuring that all reporting complies with SEC and GAAP reporting regulations and guidelines. They also prepare internal reports as required.

Additionally, finance reporting accountants research accounting rules and regulations and make recommendations regarding company policy. They may also provide assistance and support to external auditors. They typically report to a supervisor or manager.

To be successful at this job, individuals must be extremely organized and analytical. They need great analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.

They also need to be detail-oriented, up to date with current accounting rules and regulations, advise the company on policies, oversee accounts and advise management regarding tax strategies.

Educational requirements for this position include a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting, and often employers will require further certifications such as certified public accountant (CPA). Work experience may also be required, varying from employer to employer.

The career is expected to grow 11% in the coming years and create various job opportunities across the United States. The average hourly salary for the position is $31.18, which amounts to over $64,000 a year.

What general advice would you give to a finance reporting accountant?

Nate Peach Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics, George Fox University

Try to stay optimistic. You've invested your time, energy, and money on a precious degree. The pandemic has not changed the value of the skills you've acquired. What it has done is to make it challenging to find a job for the moment. Things are weird right now. Many companies are redesigning their hiring practices, which is bound to cause challenges for job seekers. The skills that you developed as an economist are precious to employers, be diligent in your job search, and you will be rewarded with a great career.
ScoreFinance Reporting AccountantUS Average
Salary
5.3

Avg. Salary $67,545

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 15.60%

Black or African American 8.44%

Hispanic or Latino 10.77%

Unknown 3.95%

White 60.78%

Gender

female 54.66%

male 45.34%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Stress level
5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Finance reporting accountant career paths

Key steps to become a finance reporting accountant

  1. Explore finance reporting accountant education requirements

    Most common finance reporting accountant degrees

    Bachelor's

    78.6 %

    Master's

    15.2 %

    Associate

    4.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific finance reporting accountant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    GAAP14.54%
    Reconciliations14.18%
    External Auditors5.73%
    Account Reconciliations4.23%
    Financial Data3.55%
  3. Complete relevant finance reporting accountant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New finance reporting accountants 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 a finance reporting accountant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real finance reporting accountant resumes.
  4. Research finance reporting accountant duties and responsibilities

    • Manage derivative accounting at global level and ensure accounting and economic hedging objectives are align.
    • Conduct trend analysis and other research to determine accuracy of various payroll accruals.
    • Prepare and submit budgets and latest estimates into Hyperion Essbase.
    • Maintain financial reporting system (HFM account mapping/data loads).
  5. Prepare your finance reporting accountant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your finance reporting accountant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a finance reporting accountant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable finance reporting accountant resume templates

    Build a professional finance reporting accountant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your finance reporting accountant resume.
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
    Finance Reporting Accountant Resume
  6. Apply for finance reporting accountant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a finance reporting accountant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first finance reporting accountant job

Zippi

Are you a finance reporting accountant?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average finance reporting accountant salary

The average finance reporting accountant salary in the United States is $67,545 per year or $32 per hour. Finance reporting accountant salaries range between $50,000 and $90,000 per year.

Average finance reporting accountant salary
$67,545 Yearly
$32.47 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do finance reporting accountants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Finance reporting accountant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

all finance transactions preparing finance reporting and presenting the yearly report to the managers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

Reporting to a CPA Controller or CFO, always learning and not micromanaged. Treated as a professional always.

Cons

Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules... generally common in small companies.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

Making business processes work right and helping people

Cons

Tracking billable hours


Working as a finance reporting accountant? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse business and financial jobs