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Accountant Job Description Template

Job Description Template

Accountant Job Description Template

June 26, 2017

Accountant Job Description Template

Is your company currently seeking to hire an accountant? Here is a free Accountant Job Description Template that you can quickly post on any job posting site. This Accountant Job Description is an excellent resource for improving your hiring process and recruiting the best talent possible. You can add any specific information that meets your Accountant position. Writing a good job description is key to hiring the right candidate for your company.

The accountant’s role ensures that the company’s financial transactions are legal and follow updated government guidelines. An Accountant can work directly with a company on a full-time basis or on contractual terms performing a company’s quarterly and annual reports, books, or tax returns. Additionally, an accountant can provide financial support for a company to make financial decisions, money issues, and tax returns.

What is an Accountant?

An accountant is a professional who provides financial services to individuals or businesses. These services include tax preparation, bookkeeping, auditing, and financial planning. Accountants are trained to understand and interpret economic laws and regulations, and they use this knowledge to help their clients save money and avoid penalties. Many accountants also have specialized expertise in estate planning or healthcare. As a result, they can provide advice on a wide range of financial issues. An accountant can be valuable if you want to save money on your taxes or need help managing your finances.

Related Job Titles for an Accountant

  • Accounting Clerk
  • Auditor
  • Controller

The Top Accountant Skills

Skill Why it's important
Analytical Skills Accountants will deal with a lot of data and numbers. They need strong analytical skills to make sense of all this information and draw conclusions.
Organizational Skills Accountants have to keep track of a lot of different things. They need to be highly organized to do their job well.
Attention to Detail This is another critical skill for accountants. They need to be able to pay attention to detail to catch errors and prevent them from happening.
Problem-Solving Skills Accountants need to have strong problem-solving skills. They often have to deal with complex financial problems and find creative solutions.
Communication Accountants need to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally. They need to be able to explain their findings to others clearly and concisely.

Accountant Job Description Template (Free)

We are looking for an Accountant who will be a part of our growing business. We have been running smoothly and striving to make it even better, but we need someone inside with experience to do so! Are you passionate about accounting? Do numbers come easy to you like they might not for others? If yes, this is your chance to work with us from day one.

You will be responsible for many different aspects of the accounting process, such as payroll, budgeting, and forecasting, to name just a few! You will also have the opportunity to develop new ways of doing things that could benefit our company in more than one way. This is it if you’re looking for a company that will allow you to grow!

Accountant Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Develop budgets and financial forecasts
  • Publish financial statements
  • Gather, analyze, and summarize account data, including the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, tax paperwork, etc.
  • Audit documents to ensure accurate financial transactions.
  • Maintain confidentiality in handling financial information
  • Recommend financial decision-making by evaluating available options
  • Prepare and record asset, liability, and capital account entries.
  • Analyze and fix discrepancies in account information
  • Be knowledgeable about federal, state, and local financial laws and regulations.

Accountant Requirements:

  • Prior accounting experience in a professional setting
  • Working proficiency in accounting software
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of accounting and corporate finance methods and principles
  • Advanced degree in Accounting
  • CPA or CMA
  • Should be able to work in a fast-paced yet detail-oriented setting with the ability to make changes quickly as needed.
Accountant Job Description Template
Accountant Job Description Template
Joshua F.
Redline Electric & Solar
Accountant Job Description Template

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Sample Interview Questions for an Accountant

If you are hiring an Accountant, these questions can help narrow options until you find the ideal candidate:

Personal
  1. Why did you become an Accountant?
  2. Why do you think Accounting Standards are mandatory?
  3. Describe one of the biggest challenges in the accounting field and how you strive to overcome it.
Human Resources
  1. Why would I want you to be my Accountant if I were a prospective client?
  2. Can you tell me about a moment in your employment when you dealt with a complicated financial issue affecting another person?
  3. You will be responsible for managing customer connections to increase income as an Accountant for our organization. What steps do you take to keep clients loyal?
Management
  1. What challenges have you faced in leading a team through an analysis project?
  2. What do you do when you have a tight deadline and multiple accounting projects to finish?
  3. How well are you with time management?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  1. What is your experience with developing business metrics?
  2. Why is it easier for someone to perpetrate fraud using a journal entry than with a ledger?
  3. Which accounting platforms have you worked with?
  4. Is it possible for a company to show positive cash flows and still be in grave trouble?

What are the Educational Requirements for an Accountant?

A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum to become an accountant. The bachelor’s degree must be in accounting or a similar program. A master’s degree is not required but can be beneficial depending on the position one wants. Also, a CPA credential license may be required for some positions.

How Much to Pay an Accountant when Hiring

The range will vary greatly based on the job and the experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for an Accountant in 2019 was $34.40/hour or $71,550 a year. The job market for Accountants over the next ten years looks to grow by 4%. Compensation and pay can vary based on your local city and state.

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $23 $25 $28 $31 $33
Annual Wage $48,479 $53,302 $58,600 $64,513 $69,896

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Frequently Asked Questions about Accountants

What are the working hours of an accountant?

The typical workweek for an accountant is 40 hours, although some accountants may work longer during tax season or meet deadlines.

What are the career prospects for an accountant?

The demand for accountants is expected to grow by 11 percent through 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of accounting firms and the increasing complexity of financial regulations are expected to drive demand for accounting services.

What are some skills that an accountant needs?

An accountant needs strong math and analytical skills, as well as the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and concisely. An accountant should also be detail-oriented and able to work independently

What education is required to become an accountant?

Most accountants have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers may require certification, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

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