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Tax analyst vs senior tax accountant

The differences between tax analysts and senior tax accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a tax analyst, becoming a senior tax accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior tax accountant has an average salary of $77,537, which is higher than the $61,745 average annual salary of a tax analyst.

The top three skills for a tax analyst include tax audits, reconciliations and tax compliance. The most important skills for a senior tax accountant are CPA, state income, and tax research.

Tax analyst vs senior tax accountant overview

Tax AnalystSenior Tax Accountant
Yearly salary$61,745$77,537
Hourly rate$29.69$37.28
Growth rate-7%6%
Number of jobs56,22357,686
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4844
Years of experience24

What does a tax analyst do?

A tax analyst specializes in managing and filing tax forms and tax returns, all while devising strategies to reduce tax payments legally. A tax analyst may work as a member of a company or independently. Moreover, in a company setting, the responsibilities of a tax analyst revolve around coordinating with different departments to obtain all necessary documentation and financial information, maintaining accurate and extensive records of all transactions, and resolving any issues or concerns. Furthermore, it is essential to remain updated with all the tax laws, all while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.

What does a senior tax accountant do?

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.

Tax analyst vs senior tax accountant salary

Tax analysts and senior tax accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tax AnalystSenior Tax Accountant
Average salary$61,745$77,537
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $87,000Between $60,000 And $99,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMaineNew York
Best paying companyMetaRiverbed Holdings, Inc.
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between tax analyst and senior tax accountant education

There are a few differences between a tax analyst and a senior tax accountant in terms of educational background:

Tax AnalystSenior Tax Accountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Tax analyst vs senior tax accountant demographics

Here are the differences between tax analysts' and senior tax accountants' demographics:

Tax AnalystSenior Tax Accountant
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 42.9% Female, 57.1%Male, 50.6% Female, 49.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 11.1% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage8%7%

Differences between tax analyst and senior tax accountant duties and responsibilities

Tax analyst example responsibilities.

  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage client data and prepare necessary financial statements.
  • Own the preparation of the consolidated/worldwide provision calculations and AJE, including account reconciliations.
  • Prepare ASC 740 tax accounting calculations.
  • Input apportionment factors into OneSource tax system.
  • Correspond with taxpayers, accountants, and CPAs.
  • Assist in federal and state return preparation using OneSource software.
  • Show more

Senior tax accountant example responsibilities.

  • Research technical topics in taxation to present to the tax department and clients on areas of concern in the IRS code.
  • Participate in monthly accounting close with preparation and ownership of tax accrual journal entries and reconciliations.
  • Help implement, and maintain federal and state tax provision information into OneSource.
  • Work with internal and external resources to ensure implementation of CCH software on shopping cart is successful.
  • Assist and review the maintenance of the OneSource database relative to coding & mapping of the trial balance.
  • Conduct research with CCH and RIA on tax exposures, savings, refund, recovery, and credits.
  • Show more

Tax analyst vs senior tax accountant skills

Common tax analyst skills
  • Tax Audits, 6%
  • Reconciliations, 4%
  • Tax Compliance, 4%
  • Tax Payments, 4%
  • Tax Software, 4%
  • Income Tax Returns, 4%
Common senior tax accountant skills
  • CPA, 14%
  • State Income, 5%
  • Tax Research, 5%
  • Income Tax Returns, 4%
  • Tax Planning, 4%
  • Tax Compliance, 4%

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