Guides

Accountant Job Description: Duties, Skills, and Salary

By The Ledgerism Editorial Team · The Ledgerism Brief Editorial Team produces original, methodology-disclosed accounting and tax research—data trackers, databases, and reference guides built to be the most-cited source in the field. Every figure is verified against primary sources including FASB, the IRS, the PCAOB, NASBA, the AICPA, and state boards of accountancy.

An accountant job description defines a role that records, verifies, and reports an organization’s financial transactions, prepares financial statements and tax filings, and supports decisions with analysis. Most postings require a bachelor’s degree in accounting, proficiency with accounting software, and strong analytical skills. The median wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680 in May 2024 (BLS).

This page gives a copy-ready job description, the core duties and skills employers list, the education and credentials expected, and current pay and outlook data. It also separates an accountant’s day-to-day work from a bookkeeper’s, a distinction that changes both the pay band and the qualifications a posting should ask for.

What an accountant does (core role summary)

An accountant collects, records, and analyzes financial data, then reports it to management, owners, lenders, and tax authorities. Typical output includes the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, plus reconciliations, tax returns, and variance analysis. The role often blends compliance work with advisory input on budgets and forecasts.

The scope varies by employer. A staff accountant at a small business may own the full close, payroll, and tax prep. In a large firm or corporate department, the role can narrow to a function such as accounts payable, revenue recognition, or audit support. A job description should name the specific functions the hire will own so candidates self-select correctly.

Accountant job description template

Use this structure as a starting block, then edit the duties and requirements to match the role. Keep the title specific (Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, Cost Accountant) so applicants and search engines read the level correctly.

Job title: Accountant (Staff / Senior, specify level)

Summary: We are seeking an accountant to maintain accurate financial records, prepare financial statements, support the monthly and annual close, and help ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable tax rules. The accountant reports to the Controller and works with operations, payroll, and external auditors.

Responsibilities:
1. Record and reconcile transactions across the general ledger.
2. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
3. Manage the close process, including journal entries and accruals.
4. Prepare or support federal, state, and local tax filings.
5. Analyze variances against budget and prior periods.
6. Maintain internal controls and supporting documentation.
7. Support external audits and respond to auditor requests.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; 2+ years of relevant experience; proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or similar) and Excel; working knowledge of U.S. GAAP. CPA or CPA-track preferred.

For the distinction between a general accountant and a licensed CPA when you write requirements, see CPA vs accountant.

Core duties and responsibilities

An accountant’s duties cluster into recording, reporting, compliance, and analysis. The mix depends on employer size and whether the role sits in public accounting, a corporate finance team, or a small business. The table below maps common duties to the function they belong to and the frequency employers typically expect.

Duties can extend into advisory work as an accountant gains experience, including pricing, capital spending review, and entity structure input. For a fuller breakdown of specialties and where the role can lead, see what an accountant does.

Required skills and competencies

Employers weight technical accounting knowledge, software fluency, and analytical judgment most heavily, followed by communication and time management. A strong job description separates must-have skills from preferred ones so the applicant pool stays qualified without being unnecessarily narrow.

• Technical accounting: working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, the accounting cycle, and financial statement preparation.
• Software: accounting platforms (QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Oracle, SAP) and advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups).
• Analytical skill: the ability to spot errors, explain variances, and reconcile accounts.
• Attention to detail: accuracy in numbers and documentation, since small errors compound through statements.
• Communication: the ability to explain financial results to non-finance managers.
• Time management: meeting close deadlines and filing dates under period-end pressure.
• Ethics and confidentiality: handling sensitive financial data with discretion.

Education and credentials required

Most accountant roles require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, per BLS entry-level education data. A CPA license is often preferred and can be required for roles that sign off on filings with the SEC or that lead audit and reporting functions. Certification tends to raise both responsibility and pay.

The CPA is the most recognized credential, but a job description can also list the CMA (management accounting), EA (tax representation before the IRS), or CIA (internal audit) depending on the role’s focus. Naming the accepted credentials, and whether one is required or preferred, keeps applications on target. For a side-by-side of the major options, see accounting certifications compared, and for the licensure path, see how to become an accountant.

Accountant salary and job outlook (2026)

The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,780 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $141,420. Pay varies by experience, credential, industry, and location, with California, New York, and Texas among the higher-paying states.

Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 124,200 openings each year on average over the decade. Many openings come from replacing workers who change jobs or retire. Holding a CPA license may improve prospects for higher-responsibility roles.

A posting that states a realistic band for the level and market tends to draw better-matched candidates. For pay detail by state, metro, and experience, see the accounting salary database.

Accountant vs bookkeeper: the day-to-day difference

A bookkeeper records transactions and keeps the books current; an accountant interprets those records, prepares statements and tax filings, and advises on decisions. The BLS treats them as separate occupations with different education, pay, and outlook. Writing a job description for one when you need the other is a common and costly mismatch.

The clearest split is scope of judgment. Bookkeeping is largely transactional and rules-based, and much of it can run on software. Accounting adds analysis, compliance sign-off, and reporting that the business relies on for decisions and that lenders or regulators may scrutinize.

For a deeper comparison of the two functions and when a business needs each, see bookkeeping vs accounting.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main duties in an accountant job description?
The main duties are recording transactions in the general ledger, reconciling accounts, preparing financial statements, managing the monthly and annual close, preparing or supporting tax filings, maintaining internal controls, and analyzing variances. Senior roles add forecasting and advisory work. The exact mix depends on employer size and whether the role is in public, corporate, or small-business accounting.

What qualifications should an accountant job description require?
Most postings require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, two or more years of experience for non-entry roles, proficiency with accounting software and Excel, and working knowledge of U.S. GAAP. A CPA is often preferred and may be required for roles that sign off on regulated filings. List must-have versus preferred qualifications to keep the applicant pool qualified.

How much does an accountant earn?
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680 in May 2024, per the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned under $52,780 and the highest 10 percent earned over $141,420. Actual pay depends on experience, credentials such as a CPA, industry, and location, so a posting should state a band that matches the level and local market.

Do you need a CPA to be an accountant?
No. Many accountant roles require only a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A CPA license is often preferred and can be required for positions that sign audit opinions or file reports with the SEC. Whether a CPA is required generally depends on the employer, the role’s responsibility, and applicable regulatory rules, which vary by jurisdiction.

What is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records and maintains daily transactions, while an accountant analyzes those records, prepares financial statements and tax filings, and advises on decisions. Accountants usually hold a bachelor’s degree and may be CPA-track; bookkeeping needs less formal education. BLS median pay was $81,680 for accountants versus $49,210 for bookkeeping clerks in May 2024.

What is the job outlook for accountants?
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 124,200 openings per year on average, per the BLS. Demand is driven by ongoing financial reporting, compliance, and advisory needs, plus the need to replace workers who retire or change fields.

Reviewed by The Ledgerism Editorial Team. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Related guides

• What Does a Financial Auditor Do?
• Tax Analyst
• Senior Accountant
• Types of Accountants
• Public vs Private Accounting