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The differences between junior accountants and general ledger 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 junior accountant and a general ledger accountant. Additionally, a general ledger accountant has an average salary of $60,034, which is higher than the $50,444 average annual salary of a junior accountant.
The top three skills for a junior accountant include reconciliations, general ledger accounts and account reconciliations. The most important skills for a general ledger accountant are reconciliations, GAAP, and balance sheet accounts.
| Junior Accountant | General Ledger Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $50,444 | $60,034 |
| Hourly rate | $24.25 | $28.86 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 57,892 | 81,408 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Junior accountants maintain the financial records of companies through the analysis of their general ledger accounts and balance sheets. The accountant's post journal entries, maintain accounts receivable and payable, and update financial statements. They pay payroll every month, reconcile ledgers, and submit payroll taxes. The skills necessary for this job include analytical skills, problem-solving, information confidentiality, and proficiency in accounting software and technology. They are also expected to be detail-oriented.
A general ledger accountant is in charge of ensuring the accuracy of a company's overall accounting processes and information. It is their responsibility to communicate with different departments and officials to gather necessary data, conduct extensive audits, prepare documentation and reports, maintain financial data on the company ledger, and interpret financial information. Furthermore, like a general ledger accountant, it is essential to monitor the progress of accounting processes, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Junior accountants and general ledger accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Accountant | General Ledger Accountant | |
| Average salary | $50,444 | $60,034 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $66,000 | Between $47,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Fuhu | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Technology |
There are a few differences between a junior accountant and a general ledger accountant in terms of educational background:
| Junior Accountant | General Ledger Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between junior accountants' and general ledger accountants' demographics:
| Junior Accountant | General Ledger Accountant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4% | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |