Head accountant vs senior staff accountant

The differences between head accountants and senior staff 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 a senior staff accountant. Additionally, a head accountant has an average salary of $119,485, which is higher than the $65,019 average annual salary of a senior staff accountant.

The top three skills for a head accountant include account management, client relationships and business development. The most important skills for a senior staff accountant are reconciliations, account reconciliations, and CPA.

Head accountant vs senior staff accountant overview

	Head Accountant	Senior Staff Accountant
Yearly salary	$119,485	$65,019
Hourly rate	$57.44	$31.26
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	43,069	112,760
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Head accountant vs senior staff accountant salary

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

	Head Accountant	Senior Staff Accountant
Average salary	$119,485	$65,019
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $194,000	Between $48,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	Albany, NY	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	Citi	Calumet Specialty Products Partners
Best paying industry	Construction	Professional

Differences between head accountant and senior staff accountant education

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

	Head Accountant	Senior Staff Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Head accountant vs senior staff accountant demographics

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

	Head Accountant	Senior Staff Accountant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 51.1% Female, 48.9%	Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratio	Black 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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 12.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between head accountant and senior staff 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.

Senior staff accountant example responsibilities.

Manage month end close process including journal entries, departmental analysis and preparation of consolidate financial statements and account reconciliations.
Involve in revenue recognition research (ASC 985-605 vs. ASC 605-25).
Aid managers in performing AP duties, generate financial reports for CPA, and reconcile bank accounts for corporate office.
Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and general ledger analysis in accordance with GAAP.
Advance SaaS deal and rev accounting.
Cultivate productive, trustful relationship with external CPA firm, critical to producing successful audits and year-end reporting.

Head accountant vs senior staff 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 senior staff accountant skills

Reconciliations, 13%
Account Reconciliations, 7%
CPA, 7%
GAAP, 5%
General Ledger Accounts, 5%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 4%

Head Accountant vs. similar jobs

Head Accountant related careers

Head Accountant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Business and Financial Industry
Head Accountant
Head Accountant vs Senior Staff Accountant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs