Become A Senior Accountant
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Senior Accountant
- Interacting With Computers
- Processing Information
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
$72,000
Average Salary
What Does A Senior Accountant Do
How To Become A Senior Accountant
Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Certification within a specific field of accounting improves job prospects. For example, many accountants become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
EducationMost accountant and auditor positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a master’s degree, either in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
A few universities and colleges offer specialized programs, such as a bachelor’s degree in internal auditing. In some cases, those with associate’s degrees, as well as bookkeepers and accounting clerks who meet the education and experience requirements set by their employers, get junior accounting positions and advance to accountant positions by showing their accounting skills on the job.
Many colleges help students gain practical experience through summer or part-time internships with public accounting or business firms.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsEvery accountant filing a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required by law to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Many other accountants choose to become a CPA to enhance their job prospects or to gain clients. Many employers will often pay the costs associated with the CPA exam.
CPAs are licensed by their state’s Board of Accountancy. Becoming a CPA requires passing a national exam and meeting other state requirements. Almost all states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be certified, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required.
A few states allow a number of years of public accounting experience to substitute for a college degree.
All states use the four-part Uniform CPA Examination from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Candidates do not have to pass all four parts at once, but most states require that they pass all four parts within 18 months of passing their first part.
Almost all states require CPAs to take continuing education to keep their license.
Certification provides an advantage in the job market because it shows professional competence in a specialized field of accounting and auditing. Accountants and auditors seek certifications from a variety of professional societies. Some of the most common certifications are listed below:
The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to applicants who complete a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have worked at least 2 years in management accounting, pass a two-part exam, agree to meet continuing education requirements, and comply with standards of professional conduct. The exam covers areas such as financial statement analysis, working-capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) to graduates from accredited colleges and universities who have worked for 2 years as internal auditors and have passed a four-part exam. The IIA also offers the Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) to those who pass the exams and meet educational and experience requirements.
ISACA offers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) to candidates who pass an exam and have 5 years of experience auditing information systems. Information systems experience, financial or operational auditing experience, or related college credit hours can be substituted for up to 3 years of experience in information systems auditing, control, or security.
For accountants with a CPA, the AICPA offers the option to receive any or all of the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), or Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certifications. The ABV requires a written exam, completion of at least six business valuation projects, and 75 hours of continuing education. The CITP requires 1,000 hours of business technology experience and 75 hours of continuing education. Candidates for the PFS also must complete a certain amount of work experience and continuing education, and pass a written exam.
AdvancementSome top executives and financial managers have a background in accounting, internal auditing, or finance.
Beginning public accountants often advance to positions with more responsibility in 1 or 2 years and to senior positions within another few years. Those who excel may become supervisors, managers, or partners; open their own public accounting firm; or transfer to executive positions in management accounting or internal auditing in private firms.
Management accountants often start as cost accountants, junior internal auditors, or trainees for other accounting positions. As they rise through the organization, they may advance to accounting manager, chief cost accountant, budget director, or manager of internal auditing. Some become controllers, treasurers, financial vice presidents, chief financial officers, or corporation presidents.
Public accountants, management accountants, and internal auditors can move from one aspect of accounting and auditing to another. Public accountants often move into management accounting or internal auditing. Management accountants may become internal auditors, and internal auditors may become management accountants. However, it is less common for management accountants or internal auditors to move into public accounting.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to identify issues in documentation and suggest solutions. For example, public accountants use analytical skills in their work to minimize tax liability, and internal auditors use these skills to detect fraudulent use of funds.
Communication skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to listen carefully to facts and concerns from clients, managers, and others. They must also be able to discuss the results of their work in both meetings and written reports.
Detail oriented. Accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documentation.
Math skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures, although complex math skills are not necessary.
Organizational skills. Strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients.
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Senior Accountant jobs
Senior Accountant Career Paths
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Chief Accountant 4.5 years
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Accounting Manager 4.3 years
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Senior Accountant 4.0 years
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Accounting Supervisor 4.0 years
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Control Accountant 3.9 years
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Senior Accounting Manager 3.8 years
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Senior Staff Accountant 3.7 years
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Senior Project Accountant 3.6 years
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Assistant Controller 3.4 years
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Senior Accountant Analyst 3.3 years
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Senior Corporate Accountant 3.2 years
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Corporate Accountant 3.0 years
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Consultant-Senior Accountant 2.4 years
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Staff Accountant 24.8%
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Accountant 19.9%
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Accounting Manager 7.7%
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Finance Analyst 6.2%
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Controller 5.4%
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Cost Accountant 3.6%
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Assistant Controller 3.6%
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Accounting Clerk 2.8%
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Junior Accountant 2.1%
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Senior Auditor 2.1%
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Office Manager 1.9%
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Auditor 1.8%
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Internal Auditor 1.7%
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Bookkeeper 1.7%
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Staff Auditor 1.6%
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Accounting Manager 14.3%
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Controller 13.4%
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Accountant 10.4%
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Finance Analyst 6.8%
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Assistant Controller 5.9%
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Staff Accountant 4.8%
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Finance Manager 4.6%
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Consultant 4.0%
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Finance Director 3.6%
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Manager 2.7%
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Vice President 2.5%
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Cost Accountant 2.3%
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Finance Controller 1.7%
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Corporate Controller 1.7%
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Business Analyst 1.4%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Senior Accountant
Top Careers After Senior Accountant
Senior Accountant Demographics
Gender
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Female
51.8% -
Male
45.2% -
Unknown
3.0%
Ethnicity
-
White
74.0% -
Asian
12.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
10.4% -
Unknown
2.5% -
Black or African American
1.2%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
39.5% -
Mandarin
8.8% -
Chinese
8.7% -
French
8.5% -
Russian
5.3% -
Cantonese
4.2% -
German
3.4% -
Portuguese
3.1% -
Arabic
2.9% -
Korean
2.7% -
Italian
2.5% -
Japanese
2.2% -
Hindi
1.6% -
Vietnamese
1.2% -
Polish
1.2% -
Ukrainian
1.0% -
Amharic
0.9% -
Hebrew
0.8% -
Greek
0.8% -
Thai
0.7%
Senior Accountant
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Senior Accountant Education
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University of Phoenix
23.0% -
Strayer University
7.5% -
University of Houston
7.1% -
Southern New Hampshire University
5.0% -
DePaul University
4.9% -
Pace University - New York
4.9% -
Northeastern University
4.6% -
University of Maryland - University College
4.2% -
George Mason University
3.9% -
Hofstra University
3.5% -
Temple University
3.5% -
New York University
3.5% -
San Jose State University
3.4% -
Georgia State University
3.4% -
San Diego State University
3.1% -
Northern Illinois University
3.1% -
Liberty University
3.0% -
Drexel University
2.9% -
Regis University
2.9% -
Villanova University
2.8% -
Accounting 56.5%
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Business 25.3%
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Finance 9.5%
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Management 2.0%
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Economics 1.1%
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Taxation 0.8%
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Marketing 0.5%
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Education 0.4%
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Law 0.4%
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Business/Commerce 0.4%
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Business Economics 0.3%
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Computer Science 0.3%
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Psychology 0.3%
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Project Management 0.3%
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Bachelors
54.0% -
Masters
31.7% -
Other
8.0% -
Associate
2.8% -
Certificate
2.3% -
Doctorate
0.7% -
Diploma
0.3% -
License
0.1%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Senior Accountant
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Senior Accountant Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Accountant | Shake-N-Go Fashion, Inc. | Port Washington, NY | Jan 08, 2016 | $156,520 |
| Senior Professional Accountant | IBM Corporation | Somers, NY | Aug 14, 2015 | $152,000 |
| Accountant (Senior Corporate Controller) | Wente Bros. Inc. | Livermore, CA | May 19, 2015 | $143,929 |
| Senior Accountant | Open Society Foundations | New York, NY | Sep 15, 2015 | $140,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Origin LLC | Burbank, CA | Dec 21, 2015 | $140,000 |
| Senior Accountant | McKinsey & Company, Inc. United States | New York, NY | Aug 15, 2016 | $126,138 |
| Senior Accountant | VF Wine, Inc. | San Francisco, CA | Oct 17, 2016 | $125,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Kam-Way Transportation Inc. | Blaine, WA | Oct 09, 2016 | $120,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Kam-Way Transportation Inc. | Blaine, WA | Sep 23, 2015 | $120,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Kam-Way Transportation Inc. | Blaine, WA | Sep 20, 2016 | $120,000 |
| Senior Accountant-Consolidations | Ferrotec (USA) Corporation | Santa Clara, CA | Sep 05, 2015 | $119,203 |
| SR Accountant | Google Inc. | Mountain View, CA | Oct 17, 2016 | $116,200 |
| Senior Accountant | VR Inc. | Medford, OR | Apr 04, 2016 | $116,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Vision, USA, Inc. | San Leandro, CA | Aug 19, 2016 | $115,003 |
| Senior Accountant | Sareen & Associates Inc. | Manassas, VA | Feb 11, 2015 | $84,500 |
| Senior Accountant-Revenue Operations | Nuance Communications, Inc. | Burlington, MA | Mar 09, 2015 | $84,500 |
| Senior II Accountant | Raffa, P.C. | Washington, DC | Mar 11, 2015 | $84,323 |
| Senior Accountant | Benefit Administration Company, LLC | Seattle, WA | Sep 04, 2015 | $84,157 |
| Senior Accountant | Bean Hunt Harris & Company | Fresno, CA | Mar 06, 2016 | $84,136 |
| Senior Accountant | Pandya Kapadia & Associates, CPA, P.A. | South Plainfield, NJ | Sep 17, 2015 | $84,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Democracy International, Inc. | Bethesda, MD | Nov 06, 2015 | $84,000 |
| Senior Accountant | AWA Security, Inc. | Hialeah, FL | Oct 25, 2016 | $83,741 |
| Senior Accountant | Creative Choice Homes, Inc. | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | Dec 08, 2015 | $72,051 |
| Senior Accountant I | East West Bank | Pasadena, CA | May 16, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Z & S Management Corporation | CA | Nov 21, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Kalthia Hotel Management LLC | San Diego, CA | Jan 01, 2015 | $72,000 |
| Senior I Accountant | Raffa, P.C. | Washington, DC | Apr 20, 2016 | $72,000 |
| Revenue Senior Accountant | Cornerstone Ondemand, Inc. | Santa Monica, CA | Sep 12, 2016 | $72,000 - $91,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Z & S Management Corporation Inc. | CA | Nov 21, 2016 | $72,000 |
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Top Skills for A Senior Accountant
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Top Senior Accountant Skills
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Monthly Journal Entries
- General Ledger Accounts
- Consolidated and prepared monthly financial statements.
- Prepared and posted monthly journal entries for revenue.
- Balanced the general ledger accounts for all ATM withdrawals, deposits & adjustments.
- Developed and implemented system for recording and accurately depreciating fixed assets and amortizing prepaid contracts.
- Supported audit requests providing information to internal and external auditors.
Top Senior Accountant Employers
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