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Head accountant vs accountant

The differences between head accountants 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 head accountant and an accountant. Additionally, a head accountant has an average salary of $119,485, which is higher than the $54,890 average annual salary of an accountant.

The top three skills for a head accountant include account management, client relationships and business development. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Head accountant vs accountant overview

Head AccountantAccountant
Yearly salary$119,485$54,890
Hourly rate$57.44$26.39
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs43,06960,073
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Head accountant vs accountant salary

Head accountants and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head AccountantAccountant
Average salary$119,485$54,890
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $194,000Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyCitiMeta
Best paying industryConstructionTechnology

Differences between head accountant and accountant education

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

Head AccountantAccountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Head accountant vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between head accountants' and accountants' demographics:

Head AccountantAccountant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 51.1% Female, 48.9%Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 16.0% White, 61.0% 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between head accountant and accountant duties and responsibilities

Head accountant example responsibilities.

  • Manage complex pricing structure and maintain SalesForce CRM funnel for forecasting accuracy.
  • Handle A/P, A/R, accruals, fix assets, and prepay items.
  • Analyze, audit and/or prepare monthly financial records for individual schools, monthly payroll liability reconciliations and account analysis.
  • Complete various questionnaires require by GAAP (e.g.
  • Complete third party billing for Medicaid and Medicare claims.
  • Prepare all tax reports and evaluate any discrepancies with company CPA.
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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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Head accountant vs accountant skills

Common head accountant skills
  • Account Management, 32%
  • Client Relationships, 10%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • National Accounts, 5%
  • General Ledger, 4%
  • Financial Reports, 3%
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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