How to hire a senior accounting assistant

How to hire a senior accounting assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior accounting assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior accounting assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior accounting assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your senior accounting assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a senior accounting assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect senior accounting assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents senior accounting assistant salaries for various positions.

   Type of Senior Accounting Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Accounting Assistant	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy.	$16-37
   Accounting Clerk	Accounting clerks are employees assigned to manage administrative and clerical tasks in the accounting department. Accounting clerks handle office accounting records and ensure that files are properly labeled and stored... Show more	$13-24
   Accounting Coordinator	An accounting coordinator is responsible for assisting the operations of the organization's accounting department, processing financial reports, and serving as a liaison between the accounting staff and other department personnel or external parties. Accounting coordinators maintain a record of accounts payable and receivables, issuing invoices, updating account statements, resolving account discrepancies, and managing bank reconciliations... Show more	$16-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Financial Reports
   • Vendor Invoices
   • Data Entry
   • Payroll
   • Purchase Orders
   • Reconciliations
   • Senior Accounting
   • General Ledger Accounts
   • Credit Card
   • Bank Deposits
   • Expense Reports
   • Financial Statements
   • SR
   • Vendor Statements

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish through collaboration with corporate finance to analyze bad debt reserve and recommend monthly accruals.
   • Prepare account reconciliations for cash receipts, company health club memberships and inter-company balances.
   • Enter and process checks, wire transfers, and ACH payments through accounting system.
   • Complete daily and monthly journal entries that are uploaded to the general ledger via PeopleSoft.
   • Assist in the testing and implementation of the PeopleSoft accounts payable and travel and expense software.
   • Develop and implement operating procedures for ATM and ACH balancing as well as cash ordering, bank returns and others.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior accounting assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior accounting assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior accounting assistants' average salary in west virginia is 46% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior accounting assistants earn 56% less than senior-level senior accounting assistants.
   • Certifications. A senior accounting assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior accounting assistant's salary.

   Average senior accounting assistant salary

   $51,551yearly

   $24.78 hourly rate

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   Entry-level senior accounting assistant salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a senior accounting assistant job description

   A senior accounting assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior accounting assistant job description:

   Senior accounting assistant job description example

   The Office of Revenue, Receivable & Cashiering Services (RRCS) is responsible for providing accurate and timely reconciliations and financial reports for student tuition, fees and financial aid programs along with administering university cashiering and credit card processing activities.
   
   We are looking for a detailed-oriented Accounting Assistant, Senior to join our team. The Accounting Assistant, Senior will be responsible for the cashiering and customer service functions with the GSU Cashier Office.
   
   Performs advanced clerical functions in processing the receipt of university revenue and receivables for both student and staff, which includes student tuition and fee payment processing (cash, check, wire and other accepted methods of payments) and departmental transactions (deposits, replenishments and cash advance closures).
   Delivers excellent customer service via email, phone and/or in-person. Properly handles and accurately balances the daily cash drawers and maintains an acceptable variance record. Maintains and audits payments, checks, files, records, and reports. Accurately creates basic journal entries for approval. Monitors and reconciles transactions for online student credit/debit card and e-check payments. Assists in resolving discrepancies between the accounting ledger and bank account. Orders currency for on-campus merchants. Travels to other campuses in the Metro-Atlanta area using personal vehicle. Performs other professional duties as assigned.
   
   Positions will be available for the following primary locations: Alpharetta/Dunwoody; Clarkston
   
   Disclaimer:
   
   This job requisition provides a high-level job definition. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive list of job duties.
   
   As such, job duties and/or responsibilities within the context of this job requisition may change at the discretion the employee's direct supervisor.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   High school diploma and three years of related experience; or a combination of education and related experience.
   
   Preferred Hiring Qualifications:
   
   At least three years of experience in both customer service and currency cash/check handling. Strong organizational, customer service and cashiering practices are highly recommended. Systems knowledge of Ellucian Banner Student, PeopleSoft Financials, and Remote Check Deposit System is highly desirable. Strong verbal and written communication skills are recommended. Must be able to multi-task, prioritize workload, and complete assignments within given deadlines. Must demonstrate the ability to work under pressure during high peak times, while always maintaining a high level of professionalism.
   
   Special Instructions:
   
   To be fully considered for this position all candidates must provide the following at the time of submission: A completed and accurate GSU application that provides all work history within the last 10 years Resume Cover letter is optional, but highly recommended
   
   Georgia State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior accounting assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior accounting assistant job on Zippia to find and attract quality senior accounting assistant candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit senior accounting assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior accounting assistant

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior accounting assistant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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