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The differences between senior cost analysts and account leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior cost analyst and an account leader. Additionally, an account leader has an average salary of $108,843, which is higher than the $77,845 average annual salary of a senior cost analyst.
The top three skills for a senior cost analyst include financial analysis, cost analysis and cost estimates. The most important skills for an account leader are account management, customer service, and business development.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Account Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $77,845 | $108,843 |
| Hourly rate | $37.43 | $52.33 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 53,872 | 135,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior cost analysts are lead professionals who collaborate with a variety of departments to gather financial data and perform analysis to uncover inefficiencies. These analysts are required to develop accurate cost estimates that are used in producing pricing quotations on products and programs. They must utilize the enterprise resource planning (ERP) business system to track the quotation process and maintain standard costs through cost roll activities. Senior cost analysts must also collaborate with managers to facilitate initiatives and projects that are cost-saving.
Account leaders are assigned to work on specific client accounts and assist these clients with their needs. They should treat their clients as partners. This would help them forge a better working relationship with clients. Account leaders should have high business acumen and a strong grasp of the current industry landscape. They should be familiar with the company's products and services and which product or service best fits the clients' needs. Account leaders should also know how to retain clients and maintain the client base. They may do this by regularly checking up on clients, making clients feel valued, and mitigating any challenges that may arise.
Senior cost analysts and account leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Account Leader | |
| Average salary | $77,845 | $108,843 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $105,000 | Between $75,000 And $157,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Apple | Point B |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Professional |
There are a few differences between a senior cost analyst and an account leader in terms of educational background:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Account Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior cost analysts' and account leaders' demographics:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Account Leader | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 7% |