Fiscal analyst vs accountant

The differences between fiscal analysts and 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 fiscal analyst and an accountant. Additionally, an accountant has an average salary of $54,890, which is higher than the $51,960 average annual salary of a fiscal analyst.

The top three skills for a fiscal analyst include payroll, financial data and management system. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Fiscal analyst vs accountant overview

	Fiscal Analyst	Accountant
Yearly salary	$51,960	$54,890
Hourly rate	$24.98	$26.39
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	37,053	60,073
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

What does a fiscal analyst do?

A fiscal analyst specializes in providing analytical services to help companies monitor and develop budgets and financial activities. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing financial data, conducting market research and analysis, arranging spreadsheets, updating databases, and producing regular budget reports and forecasts. To carry out their duties, they typically use special software and programs, coordinate with various departments, and have knowledge in court collections. Moreover, a fiscal analyst may assist staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does an accountant do?

An accountant is an individual whose primary task is to prepare, keep, examine, and interpret financial records. Most accountants are in charge of a wide scope of finance-related tasks, either for private individuals or for large-scale businesses and organizations they are employed with. They make sure that financial statements and records are accurate and comply with laws and regulations. They also compute for taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure being paid properly and on time. As they keep track and record the flow of money, they can offer guidance on how to reduce costs, enhance revenue, and help in profit maximization.

Fiscal analyst vs accountant salary

Fiscal analysts and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fiscal Analyst	Accountant
Average salary	$51,960	$54,890
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $75,000	Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	Jacobs Engineering Group	Meta
Best paying industry	Health Care	Technology

Differences between fiscal analyst and accountant education

There are a few differences between a fiscal analyst and an accountant in terms of educational background:

	Fiscal Analyst	Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Fiscal analyst vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between fiscal analysts' and accountants' demographics:

	Fiscal Analyst	Accountant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6%	Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between fiscal analyst and accountant duties and responsibilities

Fiscal analyst example responsibilities.

Manage the UW system approvals such as eProcurement including pro-cards, CTA and ARIBA transactions.
Manage budget submissions by subsidiaries in Europe/AFNE region in Hyperion.
Develop fiscal reports for initiatives for state legislature concerning the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Maintain GAAP and SAAM through careful examination of request employee and vendor reimbursements.
Prepare periodic general ledger balance sheet account reconciliations, as well as adjusting entries relate to the reconciliations.
Implement in house databases in order to analyze Medicaid disbursements by region

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Accountant example responsibilities.

Manage preparation of the statutory financial statements and financial aggregates in compliance with IFRS and local applicable norms.
Manage personnel financial matters including salaries, taxation procedures and other relate issues.
Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Reconstruct and improve many balance sheet account reconciliations for easier reading and interpretation by senior level management.
Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
Maintain general ledgers and preparation of monthly and other periodic financial reports in accordance with GAAP and international accounting standards.

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Fiscal analyst vs accountant skills

Common fiscal analyst skills

Payroll, 9%
Financial Data, 7%
Management System, 5%
GAAP, 5%
Financial Statements, 5%
Reconciliations, 5%

Common accountant skills

Reconciliations, 14%
General Ledger Accounts, 6%
Account Reconciliations, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Payroll Tax Returns, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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