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Tax accountant vs finance advisor

The differences between tax accountants and finance advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a tax accountant and a finance advisor. Additionally, a finance advisor has an average salary of $64,993, which is higher than the $62,142 average annual salary of a tax accountant.

The top three skills for a tax accountant include CPA, tax audits and income tax returns. The most important skills for a finance advisor are team support, wealth management, and securities.

Tax accountant vs finance advisor overview

Tax AccountantFinance Advisor
Yearly salary$62,142$64,993
Hourly rate$29.88$31.25
Growth rate6%15%
Number of jobs57,919106,311
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4445
Years of experience44

What does a tax accountant do?

A tax accountant is an individual who works with clients to produce tax return documents that follow tax laws and regulations while keeping them updated on their return information. Tax accountants must determine tax strategies for their clients that may minimize or eliminate tax payments while arranging audits with taxation authorities. They prepare tax documents for different clients, including private companies, non-profit organizations, and private individuals. Tax accountants are also required to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting and should understand business concepts.

What does a finance advisor do?

A Financial Advisor specializes in sharing their expertise with an individual or company on how to handle and boost finances. The responsibilities of a Financial Advisor include creating and proposing a strategy to attain financial gains through profits and investments, educating the client about new methods and opportunities, monitor and evaluate progress, and as well as plan policies according to the clients' life changes. Furthermore, it is also the duty of the Financial Advisor to research new investments that would be of great help to the client's assets.

Tax accountant vs finance advisor salary

Tax accountants and finance advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tax AccountantFinance Advisor
Average salary$62,142$64,993
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $83,000Between $34,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyPacific Investment Management Company LLCEnbridge
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between tax accountant and finance advisor education

There are a few differences between a tax accountant and a finance advisor in terms of educational background:

Tax AccountantFinance Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Tax accountant vs finance advisor demographics

Here are the differences between tax accountants' and finance advisors' demographics:

Tax AccountantFinance Advisor
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 47.3% Female, 52.7%Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.3% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%5%

Differences between tax accountant and finance advisor duties and responsibilities

Tax accountant example responsibilities.

  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage client data and prepare necessary financial statements.
  • Manage and prepare sales and use tax account reconciliations and property tax liability accounts and prepare corresponding journal entries.
  • Prepared/Review financial statements according to GAAP and propose adjusting entries for clients.
  • Prepare tax returns for corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals.
  • Work with various accounting departments, with duties such as account reconciliations, customer service, and administrative/clerical positions.
  • SAP, ONESOURCE, YESWIN, and BSAEfiling
  • Show more

Finance advisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage all budget and forecast submissions into Hyperion.
  • Manage $3MM private investment portfolio consisting of mid-cap/large-cap equities.
  • Structure and manage investment portfolios using a range of financial instruments, including equity securities and fix income instruments.
  • Manage and strengthen customer relationships through cross-selling and up-selling to maximize retention and income generation by contacting existing and prospective customers.
  • Research eligibility and status of all Medicare and Medicaid patients.
  • Perform portfolio analysis using MorningStar workstation and complete cost basis research project.
  • Show more

Tax accountant vs finance advisor skills

Common tax accountant skills
  • CPA, 9%
  • Tax Audits, 4%
  • Income Tax Returns, 4%
  • Tax Research, 4%
  • Reconciliations, 4%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
Common finance advisor skills
  • Team Support, 7%
  • Wealth Management, 7%
  • Securities, 6%
  • Strong Computer, 6%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Client Facing, 5%

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