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The differences between junior accountants and project 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 project accountant. Additionally, a project accountant has an average salary of $60,467, 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 project accountant are reconciliations, project management, and contract terms.
| Junior Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $50,444 | $60,467 |
| Hourly rate | $24.25 | $29.07 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 57,892 | 43,672 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 project accountant is primarily in charge of overseeing the budget and expenditures allocated for various projects within a company. Their responsibilities revolve around reviewing financial data and work plans, managing billing and financial reports, monitoring the flow of revenue, filing purchase orders and invoices, and processing payments to subcontractors, suppliers, and more. It is also vital to coordinate with all managing personnel to prepare necessary reports such as costs and taxes. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain data and records of all transactions, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Junior accountants and project accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Average salary | $50,444 | $60,467 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $66,000 | Between $46,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Fuhu | Perficient |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Professional |
There are a few differences between a junior accountant and a project accountant in terms of educational background:
| Junior Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between junior accountants' and project accountants' demographics:
| Junior Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4% | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% |
| 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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 12.3% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |