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Regional accountant vs certified public accountant

The differences between regional accountants and certified public 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 regional accountant and a certified public accountant. Additionally, a certified public accountant has an average salary of $76,693, which is higher than the $61,848 average annual salary of a regional accountant.

The top three skills for a regional accountant include reconciliations, payroll and balance sheet accounts. The most important skills for a certified public accountant are CPA, customer service, and IRS.

Regional accountant vs certified public accountant overview

Regional AccountantCertified Public Accountant
Yearly salary$61,848$76,693
Hourly rate$29.73$36.87
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs56,40678,792
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a regional accountant do?

Regional accountants work on the preparation of accounts and tax returns, payroll administration, and auditing financial information. They utilize financial statements, account reconciliations, and balance sheets to assist with their accounting work. Regional accountants must have good communication skills, be highly analytical, and take leadership over the accounts in their assigned region.

What does a certified public accountant do?

A certified public accountant (CPA) acts as an advisor to small businesses and chief financial officers to Fortune 500 companies. They typically work for both small and large public accounting firms. They offer advice on many issues, such as accounting and taxation. They aid businesses and individuals to plan and achieve their financial goals. There are several requirements to become a CPA, including having a degree in accounting, passing the CPA examination, and obtaining a CPA license to practice.

Regional accountant vs certified public accountant salary

Regional accountants and certified public accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Regional AccountantCertified Public Accountant
Average salary$61,848$76,693
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $79,000Between $49,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Applied Materials
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between regional accountant and certified public accountant education

There are a few differences between a regional accountant and a certified public accountant in terms of educational background:

Regional AccountantCertified Public Accountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Regional accountant vs certified public accountant demographics

Here are the differences between regional accountants' and certified public accountants' demographics:

Regional AccountantCertified Public Accountant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 12.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 12.4% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between regional accountant and certified public accountant duties and responsibilities

Regional accountant example responsibilities.

  • Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
  • General accounting functions include G/L, A/P, A/R, accruals & allocations, reconcile accounts, & G/L monthly close.
  • Compile and analyze financial information such as balance sheet account reconciliations, variance, revenue and expense analysis.
  • Analyze financial statements to identify, evaluate and correct financial issues, including preparation of detail account reconciliations.
  • Prepare monthly journal entries in accordance with GAAP including moderate to complex supporting calculations.
  • Verify that all GAAP accounting principal relative to the department operations have been correctly follow.
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Certified public accountant example responsibilities.

  • Mentor highly skil accounting and tax management team to achieve establish objectives including conformity with GAAP compliance.
  • Maintain monthly client bookkeeping including bank reconciliations, account payable and prepare preliminary financial statements for CPA review.
  • Conduct bookkeeping, bank reconciliations and generate general ledgers as well as raise concerns about expenditure classifications and revenue recognition.
  • Prepare and review month-end close, including journal entries, general ledger account reconciliations, and financial statement supporting documentation.
  • Gain a working knowledge of audit objectives and procedures in compliance with GAAP and GAAS.
  • Prepare and monitor audit programs, assist management in design and monitoring of SOX compliance programs.
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Regional accountant vs certified public accountant skills

Common regional accountant skills
  • Reconciliations, 15%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Balance Sheet Accounts, 6%
  • Account Reconciliations, 5%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger Accounts, 5%
Common certified public accountant skills
  • CPA, 48%
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • IRS, 7%
  • State Tax Returns, 5%
  • Payroll Tax Returns, 2%
  • Financial Statement Preparation, 1%

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