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Treasurer vs accountant

The differences between treasurers and accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a treasurer, becoming an accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a treasurer has an average salary of $80,467, which is higher than the $54,890 average annual salary of an accountant.

The top three skills for a treasurer include payroll, fraternity and bank accounts. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Treasurer vs accountant overview

TreasurerAccountant
Yearly salary$80,467$54,890
Hourly rate$38.69$26.39
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs18,35860,073
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4644
Years of experience84

What does a treasurer do?

The treasurer's general duty is to oversee the financial reports and monitor the expenses of the organization. A treasurer is required to demonstrate strong analytical and critical-thinking skills for financial decision-making. The treasurer is also required to keep documentation and deliver regular financial reports to the management. Treasurers are also responsible to study the current status of the organization to be able to provide suggestions on effectively managing expenses. They also need to be familiarized with the regulatory policies and ensure that the use of funds is compliant with the law.

What does an accountant do?

An accountant is an individual whose primary task is to prepare, keep, examine, and interpret financial records. Most accountants are in charge of a wide scope of finance-related tasks, either for private individuals or for large-scale businesses and organizations they are employed with. They make sure that financial statements and records are accurate and comply with laws and regulations. They also compute for taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure being paid properly and on time. As they keep track and record the flow of money, they can offer guidance on how to reduce costs, enhance revenue, and help in profit maximization.

Treasurer vs accountant salary

Treasurers and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

TreasurerAccountant
Average salary$80,467$54,890
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $173,000Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityCambridge, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMaineNew York
Best paying companyPartners Group LTDMeta
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between treasurer and accountant education

There are a few differences between a treasurer and an accountant in terms of educational background:

TreasurerAccountant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Treasurer vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between treasurers' and accountants' demographics:

TreasurerAccountant
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 48.0% Female, 52.0%Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%7%

Differences between treasurer and accountant duties and responsibilities

Treasurer example responsibilities.

  • Manage accounting department to include A/R and A/P staff.
  • Organize and manage several school functions/activities, assist school personnel, make PTA purchases, and balance the checkbook.
  • Trust with managing all financial accounts associate with the fraternity and prepare organized financial statements for all members and alumni.
  • Champion adoption of consent agenda procedure, streamlining meetings and improving overall effectiveness of alumni leadership.
  • Form PTO s 501 (c) 3 and prepare PTO s 990.
  • Calculate and submit the yearly HOA community tax forms.
  • Show more

Accountant example responsibilities.

  • Manage preparation of the statutory financial statements and financial aggregates in compliance with IFRS and local applicable norms.
  • Manage personnel financial matters including salaries, taxation procedures and other relate issues.
  • Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
  • Reconstruct and improve many balance sheet account reconciliations for easier reading and interpretation by senior level management.
  • Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Maintain general ledgers and preparation of monthly and other periodic financial reports in accordance with GAAP and international accounting standards.
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Treasurer vs accountant skills

Common treasurer skills
  • Payroll, 14%
  • Fraternity, 8%
  • Bank Accounts, 8%
  • Community Services, 5%
  • Financial Transactions, 5%
  • QuickBooks, 4%
Common accountant skills
  • Reconciliations, 14%
  • General Ledger Accounts, 6%
  • Account Reconciliations, 6%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Payroll Tax Returns, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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