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The differences between fiscal analysts and general 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 a general accountant. Additionally, a general accountant has an average salary of $55,043, 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 a general accountant are financial data, reconciliations, and cash handling.
| Fiscal Analyst | General Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $51,960 | $55,043 |
| Hourly rate | $24.98 | $26.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 37,053 | 87,663 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A general accountant is responsible for evaluating account statements, conducting data analysis with financial transactions, and generating reports on revenues, expenses, and sales forecasting. These accountants manage discrepancies on the company and clients' profiles, including bank reconciliations and processing of account receivables and payables. They also handle the release of invoices and petty cash, analyzing balance sheets, and updating accurate financial information on the database. A general accountant must have excellent analytical skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the accounting principles and disciplines.
Fiscal analysts and general accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fiscal Analyst | General Accountant | |
| Average salary | $51,960 | $55,043 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $75,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a fiscal analyst and a general accountant in terms of educational background:
| Fiscal Analyst | General Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between fiscal analysts' and general accountants' demographics:
| Fiscal Analyst | General Accountant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6% | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% |
| 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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 13.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |