Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for senior project accountants in the United States
Senior project accountant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior project accountant job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 81,800 new jobs for senior project accountants are projected over the next decade.
Senior project accountant salaries have increased 8% for senior project accountants in the last 5 years.
There are over 128,556 senior project accountants currently employed in the United States.
There are 45,277 active senior project accountant job openings in the US.
The average senior project accountant salary is $64,388.
Are senior project accountant jobs in demand?
Senior project accountant job and salary trends over time
Senior project accountant jobs over time
Senior project accountant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 128,556 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 124,273 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 124,866 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 122,841 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 120,995 | 0.04% |
Average senior project accountant salary over time
Senior project accountant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,388 | $30.96 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $62,628 | $30.11 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $61,709 | $29.67 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $60,703 | $29.18 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $59,652 | $28.68 | +1.4% |
Senior project accountant jobs by state
Most common states for senior project accountants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 283 | 29% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 183 | 26% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,414 | 25% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 301 | 22% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 155 | 21% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 635 | 20% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 393 | 20% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,996 | 19% |
| 9 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,127 | 18% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,050 | 18% |
| 11 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 4,690 | 17% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,999 | 17% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 353 | 17% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,099 | 16% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 476 | 16% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 281 | 16% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 971 | 15% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 199 | 15% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 132 | 15% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 433 | 14% |
Most common cities for senior project accountants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englewood | 1 | 3% | $58,382 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $66,560 |
| 3 | Boston | 5 | 1% | $73,560 |
| 4 | Hillsboro | 1 | 1% | $60,154 |
| 5 | Orange | 1 | 1% | $67,249 |
| 6 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $66,054 |
| 7 | Seattle | 3 | 0% | $62,295 |
| 8 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $85,146 |
| 9 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $55,141 |
| 10 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $66,261 |
| 11 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $60,254 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $66,378 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $66,877 |
| 14 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $63,288 |
| 15 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $62,118 |
| 16 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $58,291 |
| 17 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $60,057 |
Senior Project Accountant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior project accountant experts
Loyola University Chicago
Virginia Commonwealth University
Skyline College
Oakland University
Muhlenberg College
Eastern Oregon University
University of California, Riverside
Indiana University Northwest
Misericordia University
University of Maine Orono
Case Western Reserve University
Austin Peay State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
DePaul University
Fairfield University
Keiser University
Edmonds Community College
What will help Senior Project Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE: Surprisingly, the important and most prevalent skills in the field over the next 3-5 years are soft skills such as an analytical mindset, communication (both orally and in writing), skepticism, independence, ethics, and integrity. Furthermore, familiarity with data analytics tools and software not only improves your work productivity but also helps you build expertise in the field. All these qualities can make a great accountant who can significantly impact the capital market by helping to protect investors and enhancing the usefulness of accounting information for various stakeholders.
What Senior Project Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills related to data analytics, technology proficiency, and communication will become more important in the accounting field. As technology advances, accountants will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation, as well as effective communication to convey complex financial information.
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA
Associate Professor of AccountingLoyola University Chicago
Business/Managerial Economics
What Senior Project Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in Accounting, individuals should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions, negotiating their salary based on market research, and continuously improving their skills and knowledge.
What will help Senior Project Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as data analysis, technology proficiency, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication will become more important and prevalent in the field of Accounting.
Prof James Holland
Professor of AccountingVirginia Commonwealth University
Accounting And Related Services
What will help Senior Project Accountants increase their earning potential?
Prof James Holland: Listen and learn all you can, focus on improving with a goal toward excellence. Always be willing to help others.
What Senior Project Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Lawson: I would encourage students to approach the new job with an attitude of engagement. Engaging with your teammates, clients, and job responsibilities will help you stand out from the beginning.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What Senior Project Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Viertel: Stability and demand: Accounting is a fundamental function for businesses across
industries. There will always be a demand for skilled accountants to manage financial
records, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic financial advice.
Diverse career opportunities: Accountants can work in various sectors such as public
accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
academia. This diversity allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore different
career paths.
Professional growth: The accounting profession offers numerous opportunities for
advancement, including obtaining certifications such as Certified Public Accountant
(CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
These certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and increased
responsibilities.
ď‚· Intellectual Challenge: Accounting involves problem-solving, analysis, and interpretation
of financial data. It requires critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
Liang Fu Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, ChairOakland University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Accountant?
Liang Fu Ph.D.: Job opportunities and career growth trajectory.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Accountant?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Understand what is one skill that is needed, example cyber security, understanding and utilizing Ai and invest on learning that skill. Become the person with the answers that helps your team reach their goals.
What Senior Project Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Understand and know how to utilize technology. Learn as much as possible.
What will help Senior Project Accountants increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija
Associate Professor of AccountingEastern Oregon University
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Accountant?
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija: In the corporate world, soft skills are critical, particularly for those starting careers in accounting, business, or similar fields. These skills help people deal with diverse situations at work and communicate with others more effectively. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, flexibility, and emotional intelligence are all examples of essential soft skills.
Eric Allen
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of California, Riverside
Accounting And Related Services
What will help Senior Project Accountants increase their earning potential?
Eric Allen: It really depends on the type of employer you're working for. If you're working for a public accounting firm you'll most likely start as a staff auditor or staff tax preparer. In both roles you'll be responsible for reviewing client information and organizing it in a way that allows the firm to conduct an audit or prepare a tax return. In an audit role you'll often be asked to go observe and document certain aspects of a client's operations. In a tax role you may be responsible for taking the initial pass through a tax return and do research into specific tax positions.
ALternatively, if you're an accountant for a private company you'll most likely be assigned to a specific sector such as payroll, accounts payable or budgeting, and be responsible for recording transactions in that area and preparing reports that your managers can use to make decisions.
Jaclyn Barkow
Clinical Assistant Professor of AccountingIndiana University Northwest
Accounting Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Accountants?
Jaclyn Barkow: In my opinion, the enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the accounting profession includes more flexibility on working from home, more requirements on adhering to strict technological safeguards of client information, greater adaptability to adjust the work environment as needed.
Working with sensitive information will require organizations to maintain effective internal controls and security controls to avoid instances of fraud or interception of client information. If the best firewalls and controls are not in place, moving to a virtual environment could lead to identity theft, hacking, and other fraud. Accounting professionals must understand how working from home or other remote locations puts sensitive information at risk and what measures must be taken to protect such information.
The pandemic required many organizations to adjust the workplace in many ways. Workspaces spread out, and able individuals began working from home. This may continue as the workplace could continue to be equally successful with individuals working remotely. This may result in a more flexible schedule or work from home option for accountants. Doing so would also require individuals to be exceptional with communication and adaptability as you must be able to engage with colleagues and clients without meeting face to face.
Charles Makar
Instructor of BusinessMisericordia University
Business Department
What soft skills should all Senior Project Accountants possess?
Charles Makar: Communications skills (oral and written).
Dr. Henri Akono Ph.D.
Associate Professor of AccountingUniversity of Maine Orono
Maine Business School
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Project Accountants?
Dr. Henri Akono Ph.D.: -In today's environment, with greater usage of data big and small by companies, accountants are expected to have a better understanding of accounting analytics and a greater ability to analyze and identify patterns in data. Therefore, accounting analytics is a very important skill for accountants today.
-Just knowing excel is not enough. Being able to use software like excel QuickBooks for accounting/controllership/audit/tax-related decisions is a plus.
-In addition, being able to use visualization software like Tableau or Power BI is also a plus.
-Some type of analytics certification (Excel, general analytics, etc.) is a plus.
-However, this does not substitute for accounting-related knowledge and understanding.
Thomas King
Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, AccountancyCase Western Reserve University
Accountancy Department
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Project Accountants in the next 3-5 years?
Thomas King: I believe critical thinking will be more important than knowledge of any particular technology. Critical thinking means forming defensible conclusions with limited data. As jobs evolve with increasing automation and off-shoring levels, the importance of critical thinking in entry-level employment will rise.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Project Accountants, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Thomas King: Starting salaries vary with accounting graduates, from $50k to six figures. It depends on the particular employer and job. Those students who demonstrate a strong work ethic, networkability, and good communication skills earn attractive salaries.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Project Accountant?
Thomas King: Be dependable. Reputations form quickly after people join organizations. A newly hired professional who demonstrates the ability to get things done rapidly and accurately will soon become a "go-to" person when new opportunities arise. Such exposure early in a career is invaluable.
Dr. Jennifer Thayer
Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay AdvisorAustin Peay State University
College of Business
What soft skills should all Senior Project Accountants possess?
Dr. Jennifer Thayer: From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Accountant job market given the pandemic?
Qian Song Ph.D.: The pandemic has accelerated the immersion of technology in our work and life. People work remotely, study remotely, shop online from grocery to furniture, tour the museums and consult a doctor virtually. Increased closures of brick and mortar stores and online business play a role in the surge of technology stocks. Thus, the pandemic has changed the way companies use technology to conduct business. Ultimately, accounting and other professionals are expected to be proficient in the use of technology in their work. The Big Four and other public accounting firms are increasing their investments in technology such as data analytics and robotic process automation. Entry-level accounting or structured, repetitive, and rule-based tasks are increasingly being automated. Such automation in business processes also occurs in other industries. It is only a matter of time before we see robots and machines (and they do not get COVID) taking over a large number of accounting and other jobs that can be automated. Advances in data analytics will speed up this process and change the nature of the accounting function. For example, instead of a traditional audit sampling, data analytics tools can be used to examine the entire dataset. The accounting firms are expected to hire more data science professionals rather than traditional accountants.
Accounting graduates will face challenges and also opportunities in today's advanced technological environment. Other than the basic accounting knowledge, accounting students can acquire data analytics and technological skills. Although accounting jobs are predicted to increase in the future, the increase is likely to be for the newly transformed accounting jobs that utilize technology
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Project Accountants?
Qian Song Ph.D.: Salaries vary according to the region, employers, and positions. Salaries seem to be relatively stable with a slight increase for inflation. However, salaries are higher for graduates with data analytics certifications or advanced data analytics skills.
What type of skills will young Senior Project Accountants need?
Delvin Grant: The ability to problem solve, which requires an understanding of the problem and a structured approach towards the solution. The ability to apply concepts learned in one discipline to another. Quite often, students are unable to see how a concept translates from one domain to another, and this stifles innovation.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Project Accountants to find work opportunities?
Delvin Grant: It is not about the geographic area but more about the skills they possess. Many MIS/IT-related jobs could be done remotely, if you wanted to pin down areas that will include areas of the USA where technology is heavily used (NY, IL, CA, MA, Huntsville AL, Parts of the Midwest, and the south, with vibrant health care and manufacturing industries. Any where industries require a healthy dose of technology are good locations.
How do you envision technology impacting Senior Project Accountants in the next 5 years?
Delvin Grant: It is always difficult to predict the future impact of tech. However, one area that will increase is the ability to analyze and interpret data. Then use the info to impact strategic and operational decision making. COVID-19 will change how people work. It will not be business as usual, and this requires the ability to work remotely. Therefore, those who master the use of remote technology, and find ways to use it innovatively, will outperform others. This is true for companies and individuals.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Accountant job market given the pandemic?
Kathi Mettler: The trend that we are seeing at Fairfield is that more people are pursuing graduate degrees (either going back to school or continuing after undergrad). The trend that I am seeing from the public accounting firms is that they are right-sizing and pushing out start dates into 2021 or early 2022. The accounting profession requires continuing professional education (CPE), so the pandemic has forced those CPE and other conferences and seminars to be online and virtual. I do believe folks will gravitate back to in-person learning and meetings once it is safe to do so, but some of these will remain online. Travel to visit clients has also stopped, so I believe that the amount of travel will be reduced going forward.
What skills stand out on Senior Project Accountant resumes?
Kathi Mettler: Completion of the CPA Exam (passing all four parts before starting to work) is a significant competitive advantage. Analytics is really important now, which is why our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) Program allows students to tailor their experience by choosing a specialization in either assurance, business analytics, or taxation. Additionally, a student may pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) with an accounting or taxation specialization. An accounting or taxation specialization is offered in our MBA and MSF programs as well. Another skill important for success is being an effective communicator. In this day and age, accountants no longer hide in the office and crunch numbers; they are at the clients' site and must possess strong people and interpersonal skills. The importance of effective communication (written and verbal) and soft skills is why we have created a new graduate course, "Effective Communication for Accounting Professionals".
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Project Accountants to find work opportunities?
Kathi Mettler: I believe the Northeast will always be a great place to work, although with the recent success of online and remote work, where people choose to live may no longer be within one-hour driving distance to their employer.
Dr. S. Diann Ferrell
Master of Accountancy Program ChairKeiser University
Accounting Department
What type of skills will young Senior Project Accountants need?
Dr. S. Diann Ferrell: One of the most important things young graduates have is enthusiasm and optimism. They should volunteer if they cannot find jobs right away. Good grades really help!
What experience really stands out on Senior Project Accountant resumes?
Dr. S. Diann Ferrell: The GPA, certifications, memberships in their field. Where they graduated from.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Project Accountants?
Dr. S. Diann Ferrell: Yes, there will be a lasting impact on graduates because of the pandemic. There is a lot of unemployment, and nothing is normal at this time.
Natalie Burgos
Associate FacultyEdmonds Community College
Accounting Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Project Accountant job market given the pandemic?
Natalie Burgos: The first thing I noticed since the pandemic started is that the demand for higher accounting-level positions has changed dramatically. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many job opportunities for higher-level positions such as Senior Accountant and Financial Director, and this made it really difficult for recent graduates and middle-level accountants to look for a job that best suits their level in accounting. But ever since the pandemic started, I noticed that entry- and middle-level accounting positions are in high demand, such as Staff Accountant, Accountant, Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Specialist, Accounting Administrator, and more.
Another thing I noticed is that more job opportunities are now providing the option to work remotely to stop the spread of the coronavirus. I am currently working as an Accountant at Seattle Coffee Gear since June 2020, and most of my coworkers prefer to work from home. Some of them, like me, decided to work a few days in the office and the remaining days at home, depending on what tasks we cannot do at home (for example, check-run).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Project Accountants to find work opportunities?
Natalie Burgos: I recommend searching for work opportunities on Indeed. From what I've noticed, there are new job opportunities that change every one to three days compared to other employment websites. Also, it's very convenient in many ways:
-Has an app that you can download on your iPhone, Android, or any smartphone.
-Saves documentation (resume, references, recommendation letters, and other supportive documents).
-Saves your profile (similar to LinkedIn profile) - important to change it if you're looking for a new job though!
I also recommend applying on the company's website as well after applying on Indeed. Some companies might advertise it on Indeed purposely. But some job advertisements might say, "Please apply on company website," even though there's an "apply now" button; that's probably because they don't know how to disable the "apply application button on Indeed.
What skills stand out on Senior Project Accountant resumes?
Natalie Burgos: -Great writing and communication skills - I recommend taking Business Writing classes at Edmonds College. It helped me a lot with my business writing skills!
-Two-plus years of experience with QuickBooks or any other accounting software. Another popular accounting software is Microsoft Dynamics 365, also known as "D365".
-More than one year using Microsoft Excel. Advanced Excel is a plus! Commonly used Excel formulas and functions include VLookUps, IF formula, IFERROR, and Pivot Tables.
-Experience using Ten-Key - most companies don't use the Ten-Key machine anymore. Instead they use the calculator that's already on the computer. Some companies like to use the Ten-Key machine to print the paper and tape it on the source document to show their work. I remember throughout my college years, none of my instructors taught us how to use Ten-Key, so if you have never used the Ten-Key machine or keypad, I recommend to start practicing by using the Ten-Key on the right side of the keyboard. I self-taught myself because my mom, who is an accountant, recommended me to.