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The differences between portfolio 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 portfolio accountant and a project accountant. Additionally, a portfolio accountant has an average salary of $69,877, which is higher than the $60,467 average annual salary of a project accountant.
The top three skills for a portfolio accountant include reconciliations, financial reports and real estate. The most important skills for a project accountant are reconciliations, project management, and contract terms.
| Portfolio Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $69,877 | $60,467 |
| Hourly rate | $33.59 | $29.07 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 41,323 | 43,672 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Portfolio accountants must have effective communication and time management skills in addition to a bachelor's degree in accounting. They maintain and improve processes and systems by keeping and compiling records on monthly and quarterly reports. They also prepare financial statements, assist in fund pricing, and calculate losses, profits, and net asset values.
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.
Portfolio accountants and project accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Portfolio Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Average salary | $69,877 | $60,467 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $102,000 | Between $46,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | AQR Capital Management | Perficient |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Professional |
There are a few differences between a portfolio accountant and a project accountant in terms of educational background:
| Portfolio Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between portfolio accountants' and project accountants' demographics:
| Portfolio Accountant | Project Accountant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 17.9% White, 60.3% 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% |