What does a General Ledger Accountant do?
A General Ledger Accountant typically works full time in an office setting. They handle the company’s financial documentation, from recording transactions to preparing tax documents. General Ledger Accountants also advise the company on ways to reduce expenses, and they ensure the company operates within financial regulations to avoid penalties.
General Ledger Accountant skills and qualifications
General Ledger Accountants need strong financial skills to complete their duties. Prerequisite skills and qualifications that help the candidate do their work successfully include:
- Strong analytical skills
- Effective problem-solving skills to identify and correct financial discrepancies
- Technical accounting skills
- Written and verbal communication skills to share accounting information when needed
- Technical skills and experience using accounting software
- Understanding of accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Ability to work on a team and independently
- Strong organizational skills
General Ledger Accountant experience requirements
Companies often want General Ledger Accountant candidates to have two or more years of experience in the accounting field. This experience should include some key duties of a General Ledger Accountant position that can transfer to the job. The amount of experience required can vary based on the company’s size and needs. For example, a large company with lots of accounting team members might hire General Ledger Accountants with less experience to handle basic tasks. A smaller company with only one General Ledger Accountant might require more years of experience since that person needs to handle all accounting tasks.
General Ledger Accountant education and training requirements
General Ledger Accountant careers typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, such as finance. Some companies will accept a combination of education and experience when hiring a General Ledger Accountant. While being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) isn’t required to work as a General Ledger Accountant, some companies might prefer candidates who are CPAs.
General Ledger Accountant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a General Ledger Accountant is $60,713 per year. This salary is often dependent on the amount of experience, location and type of company.
General Ledger Accountant salary expectations
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Common salary:
73179.17 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
26000.00 -143000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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General Ledger Accountant job description FAQs
What is the difference between a General Ledger Accountant and a Bookkeeper?
Both positions record financial data, but the General Ledger Accountant role goes beyond completing basic tasks. Bookkeepers focus on recording your company’s financial transactions and keeping your financial documents in order. General Ledger Accountants do more auditing and analysis to help the company make financial decisions.
Who does a General Ledger Accountant report to?
A General Ledger Accountant might report to a Senior Accountant, Assistant Controller, Controller or Accounting Manager. In a small company, they might report to the Assistant Manager or General Manager.
What qualities make a good General Ledger Accountant?
Having a knack for numbers is a good foundation for a strong General Ledger Accountant since the job revolves around math. They should be able to focus for long periods and maintain their attention to detail to avoid making mistakes in the numbers. The ability to keep track of multiple projects at once is beneficial since accountants have a wide range of duties throughout the month. They should also have a passion for compliance and stay current on financial regulations.
How can you make your General Ledger Accountant job description stand out?
Since the duties of a General Ledger Accountant can vary based on the size of your accounting department, list the specific responsibilities the chosen applicant will have. Include the accounting software and tools you use. Your General Ledger Accountant job description should also show how your company is different from the competition. You might mention the unique location of your office, the option to work remotely or the monthly team outings you host. Give applicants a sense of what the office is like, such as whether it’s laid-back or business casual. Offering detailed information about the job and your company may help you find applicants who are seeking that type of work environment.
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