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Reporting specialist vs certified public accountant

The differences between reporting specialists 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 reporting specialist and a certified public accountant. Additionally, a certified public accountant has an average salary of $76,693, which is higher than the $56,129 average annual salary of a reporting specialist.

The top three skills for a reporting specialist include customer service, data analysis and powerpoint. The most important skills for a certified public accountant are CPA, customer service, and IRS.

Reporting specialist vs certified public accountant overview

Reporting SpecialistCertified Public Accountant
Yearly salary$56,129$76,693
Hourly rate$26.99$36.87
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs50,54378,792
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a reporting specialist do?

A reporting specialist, also known as a marketing analyst, is an individual who is responsible for examining the current trends and marketing conditions for an organization. Reporting specialists are required to gather information about their potential customers, business competitors, and economic conditions. They examine databases and new reports as well as initiate questionnaires and opinion polls with the help of survey researchers. Reporting specialists must also present the information they gather to the management of the organization.

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.

Reporting specialist vs certified public accountant salary

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

Reporting SpecialistCertified Public Accountant
Average salary$56,129$76,693
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $49,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyCitiApplied Materials
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between reporting specialist and certified public accountant education

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

Reporting SpecialistCertified Public Accountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Reporting specialist vs certified public accountant demographics

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

Reporting SpecialistCertified Public Accountant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 42.1% Female, 57.9%Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 12.1% White, 63.5% 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 reporting specialist and certified public accountant duties and responsibilities

Reporting specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage risks and ensure compliance with SOX controls relate to selection and contracting of suppliers.
  • Manage coordination, implementation and installation of next generation telemarketing system, an nt-base, client server environment.
  • Create VBA macros to streamline existing reporting processes.
  • Assist with developing and updating VBA code as necessary.
  • Analyze operating reports with Cognos, VendorScape and DRI.
  • Promote current HIPAA compliance beyond the minimum legally mandate.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Reporting specialist vs certified public accountant skills

Common reporting specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Data Analysis, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • BI, 5%
  • QA, 5%
  • SME, 4%
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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