Unlike typical accountants, the senior accountant does not perform administrative tasks such as collecting data or balancing tables. So what specific jobs do they do? Join us to find out through the senior accountant job descriptions below.
But first, do not attribute accounting to a boring task!
Table of Contents
Senior Accountant’s Typical Duties
Senior Accountant Job Descriptions
A senior accountant’s primary mission is to handle crucial financial information based on raw data processed; and, by that, provide essential insights about the business’s operational effectiveness.
More specifically, the senior accountant will use hands-on accounting experience and a deep understanding of the accounting principles to perform complex accounting and financial tasks. Here is the senior staff accountant job description:
- Review and check accounting books and reports prepared from subordinate employees to ensure accuracy and compatibility with the company’s compliance and current accounting legislation.
- Reconcile the company’s accounting ledgers.
- Store financial information and documents as a basis for transparent audits.
- Make financial reports like cash inflow and outflow from the company’s documents and records according to regulations, then propose policies based on current profit-and-loss status. The company can adjust appropriate policies.
- Analyze the company’s financial statements submitted from the accountant staff and proceed for the company.
- Balance the company’s financial accounts, ensuring accuracy.
- Approve the payroll for all employees.
- Make recommendations based on asset and expense analysis to improve budget spending’s effectiveness.
- Perform financial analysis and data double-checking to ensure no data inconsistencies and possible frauds.
- Assist auditors in performing financial and tax audits.
- Offer training plans for the human resource department or directly train junior accountants.
- Connect members and cooperate with employees in other departments within a specific project following the business’s investment direction.
- Perform other tasks assigned by superiors.
A senior accountant’s typical task is to proceed the company’s financial data – Source: kjob.vn
Senior Receivable Accountant Job Description
Also, do not ignore the senior receivable accountant job description if you consider pursuing an accounting career. Do not miss this accounting job if you enjoy working with multiple partners and clients, as the senior receivable accountant works with the firm’s partners to compile and report on long due receivable accounts.
The receivable accountant is responsible for collecting unpaid payments to secure the company’s revenue. They also verify receipts and reconcile data discrepancies.
In more detail, they use project management, organization, and communication skills to reach out to customers and then collect payments. They also record, keep the transactions’ information, accurately monitor the company’s revenues and bank deposits, and report receivable accounts periodically.
How Much Does A Senior Accountant Earn?
As of May 3, 2021, a typical senior accountant in the United States makes an hourly wage of $39.05. That amounts to $81,218 a year!
Undoubtedly, with the lengthy and complicated senior accountant job descriptions, receiving this attractive salary is wholly deserved.
Here are the top 10 best-paying cities for senior accountant CPA (Certified Public Accountants):
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| New York City, NY | $94,791 | $7,899 | $1,823 | $45.57 |
| San Mateo, CA | $93,540 | $7,795 | $1,799 | $44.97 |
| Boston, MA | $90,530 | $7,544 | $1,741 | $43.52 |
| Juneau, AK | $90,520 | $7,543 | $1,741 | $43.52 |
| Berkeley, CA | $89,899 | $7,492 | $1,729 | $43.22 |
| Daly City, CA | $89,644 | $7,470 | $1,724 | $43.10 |
| Santa Monica, CA | $89,480 | $7,457 | $1,721 | $43.02 |
| Quincy, MA | $89,107 | $7,426 | $1,714 | $42.84 |
| Renton, WA | $89,061 | $7,422 | $1,713 | $42.82 |
| Richmond, CA | $88,274 | $7,356 | $1,698 | $42.44 |
Source: ziprecruiter.com
Senior Accountant Job Certificates and Skill Requirements
A senior corporate accountant needs to meet the following requirements:
Expertise Level
First and foremost, an indispensable factor is a high level of expertise and long-term work experience as an accountant in the corporate environment, usually at least 3 years of experience or more.
Additionally, it would help if you had certificates, vocational degrees with expertise in finance, accounting, or other related fields at graduate or higher levels. Holding these positions are usually those who have a master degree in accounting and finance.
Moreover, a senior accountant needs to have a certified qualification. Having a CPA certificate (Certified Public Accountants) is an advantage and best proves your professional ability as a senior accountant in the field.
To be eligible, you should know about essential accounting principles and have a quick grasp of the policies set out in the accounting industry and the accounting department in the company.
Related Skills
Next, ensure that you have sufficient skills to meet and best serve the job at the enterprise, including:
- Organization and attention-to-detail skills
- Excellent financial analysis and problem-solving skills to think strategically and generate suitable solutions
- Ability to apply multiple skills, such as teamwork, independent work, leadership, networking, and human resource management, in tandem.
- Ability to adapt and withstand working pressure because of the dense workload.
- Skillful enough to use specialized accounting software and analyze financial and accounting information to prepare reports to higher levels in the business.
It usually takes at least 3 years of experience to become a senior accountant – Source: zeni.ai
Senior Accountant Job Prospect – Related Careers
You may wonder what if you enter the career and find it irrelevant after a few years or cannot climb this ladder? I have good news for you.
There are promising career turns in case you want to change to another professional path. Check out these options:
Tax Accountant
A tax accountant is responsible for assisting private and corporate clients in reporting financial and income taxes.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts are specialized in zooming in financial and economic data, proceeding and withdrawing valuable insights to help a business improve financial performance.
Actuary
Actuaries are financial experts in analyzing, profiling risks, assessing financial costs associated with uncertain future events, and structuring insurance policy premiums.
The job is often limited in the life insurance industry. The pay is normally very high to compensate for the long-term dedication to mathematical research.
What Is The Difference Between A Senior Accountant & An Accounting Manager? – List Of Accounting Roles
You may scratch your head among 4 similar roles: senior accountant, accounting manager, staff accountant, and junior accountant. Let’s dive in quickly:
| Junior Accountant | Staff Accountant | Senior Accountant | Accounting Manager | |
| Position | + Entry-level. + Typically report to the controller or higher-level accounting positions. | + Mid-level between a junior accountant and senior accountant. + Entry-level position in some accounting firm. + Report to the accounting manager | + Upper-level. + Report directly to the controller or appropriate partners). | + Mid to upper-level. + Report to the finance director. |
| Primary Mission | + Reconcile accounts and prepare preliminary reports. | + Prepare journal entries and reconcile. | + Analyze the economic situation of the organization, usually based on financial reports and counsel strategic directions. + May oversee junior accountants or clerical staff. | + Supervise the accounting department. + Ensure the on-schedule and accurate delivery of financial statements and reports. |
| Education Level | + Not necessarily have a bachelor’s degree. | + Typically have a bachelor’s degree. + Not necessarily a CPA. | + Most have a bachelor’s degree, and sometimes a master’s, together with a CPA certificate. | + Compulsory: bachelor’s degree. + Not necessarily be a CPA. |
Conclusion
In summary, we have already had a more detailed look at the senior accountant job descriptions, their corresponding salary, and the requirements to advance from junior to senior accountant. We also suggest some related or similar careers in case you want to pursue a different career path. If you are ready, start now!
Read More:
Corporate Wants You To Find The Difference Between These Mumbo-Jumbos
Financial Analyst Jobs Near Me – Job Outlook, Income, Duties, And More For You!
