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The differences between senior cost analysts and senior tax 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 senior cost analyst and a senior tax accountant. Additionally, a senior cost analyst has an average salary of $77,845, which is higher than the $77,537 average annual salary of a senior tax accountant.
The top three skills for a senior cost analyst include financial analysis, cost analysis and cost estimates. The most important skills for a senior tax accountant are CPA, state income, and tax research.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Tax Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $77,845 | $77,537 |
| Hourly rate | $37.43 | $37.28 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 53,872 | 57,686 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
Senior Tax Accountants recommend tax strategies, as well as assist the preparation of federal, state, and local taxes. They contact clients to resolve minor tax issues and work with the senior tax manager to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax legislation.
Senior cost analysts and senior tax accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Tax Accountant | |
| Average salary | $77,845 | $77,537 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $105,000 | Between $60,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Apple | Riverbed Holdings, Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Professional |
There are a few differences between a senior cost analyst and a senior tax accountant in terms of educational background:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Tax Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between senior cost analysts' and senior tax accountants' demographics:
| Senior Cost Analyst | Senior Tax Accountant | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5% | Male, 50.6% Female, 49.4% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 14.3% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 7% |