Senior Accountant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Senior Accountant, or Senior Accounting Professional, is responsible for performing complex accounting needs for their employer. Their duties include assuming a leadership role to guide accounting personnel in daily tasks, reviewing financial data to make forecasting decisions and communicating with company Executives about financial strategies.

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Senior Accountant duties and responsibilities

A Senior Accountant is responsible for a company’s financial procedures, records and statements for compliance with laws and regulations. Here are some of the usual duties of a Senior Accountant:

  • Recommend ways to reduce costs and enhance revenue.
  • Prepare documentation for External Auditors.
  • Analyze financial statements for discrepancies and alert the CFO if necessary.
  • Coordinate semi-annual audits and assist the CFO in running audits.
  • Reconcile accounts monthly to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance.
  • Delegate financial responsibilities to the accounting team.
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Senior Accountant Job Description Examples

 

Example 1

* Staff/Senior Accountant – Hudson Valley Lighting Group (HVLG)

Background: Hudson Valley Lighting Group is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of industry leading decorative lighting products. Our high-quality products are design forward, sold through an omni channel distribution network, and recognized under the Hudson Valley Lighting, Mitzi, Troy, Corbett, CLS and RLM brand monikers.

Headquartered in Wappingers Falls, New York, the Company has been a leader in design forward lighting since 1985.

Job Description:The Staff/Senior Accountant will be responsible for providing accounting support to the Controller. This person will record daily and monthly transactional activity while adhering to GAAP and Hudson Valley Lighting Group accounting policies that includes record preparation, research, and reporting related to, but not limited to, general ledger activities, month-end closing activities, reconciliation of accounts as directed, financial-related reports, schedules, and audits. Assignment of special projects by Controller.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual general ledger account reconciliations for all types of accounts, including accruals, prepaids, fixed assets and intangibles, to ensure accurate reporting and general ledger reliability.
  • Prepare monthly journal entries
  • Perform monthly bank reconciliations.
  • Assist in the preparation and filing of monthly and quarterly state sales taxes.
  • Assist with financial statement preparation for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, including consolidations.
  • Assist with the annual external audit.
  • Participate in the implementation of the new ERP system.
  • Work with AR, AP, and other departments as needed to resolve issues.

    Position Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required.
  • 3-5 years of general ledger accounting experience is preferred.
  • US GAAP knowledge is required.
  • ERP system knowledge is required, preferably SAP.
  • Advanced excel skills, including Vlookups and Pivot tables.
  • Confident working independently and using initiative to guide through challenges.
  • Team Player – able to assist members of the team with questions.

    Please note that job title will be commensurate with experience.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Physical Setting:
  • Office
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Location: One location
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    Example 2

    About us

    At Sipcam Agro USA, our goal is simple: To become your preferred partner and supplier of trusted plant protection solutions. That starts with providing exceptional products that are not only incredibly effective but also remarkably sensible — personalized solutions that maximize your investment and respect your bottom line. But it doesn’t stop there. We also strive to be a company that’s easy to do business with. Straightforward. Responsive. Trustworthy. The kind of company we’d like to do business with, too.

    Sipcam Agro USA is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and is owned by Sipcam Oxon Group, an Italian-based company founded in 1946 and recognized worldwide for formulation and manufacturing expertise.

    Our work environment includes:
  • International workforce
  • Flexible working hours
  • On-the-job training
  • Modern office setting
  • Regular social events

    We're in need of a certified Senior Accountant to handle business accounting activities. Your responsibilities will include keeping track of company finances, preparing and monitoring budgets, managing payroll and projects. The Senior Accountant reports to the Director of Finance and is in charge of daily accounting activities. Since you will be working with financial statements, a degree in finance or accounting is required. We expect you to be highly organized and detail-oriented. A good understanding of corporate finance principles and the ability to analyze financial statements are needed. We want to see your ability to understand business needs and business systems requirements. You should also have excellent communication skills to facilitate cooperation within our company's teams.

    Responsibilities:
  • Improve accounting systems by creating useful suggestions and reports to management.
  • Review accounts and financial records to discover discrepancies and errors.
  • Prepare financial reports to analyze business performance.
  • Oversee revenue-generating accounts (e.g. credit cards, loans, etc.).
  • Monitor income and expenses in various companies/branches.
  • Oversee budgeting process, suggest improvement and implement strategies.
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations such as Sarbox, SOX 404, etc.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Physical Setting:
  • Office
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday
    Supplemental Pay:
  • Bonus pay

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Durham, NC 27713: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Education:
  • Bachelor's (Preferred)

    Experience:
  • Accounting: 3 years (Preferred)

    License/Certification:
  • CPA Location: One location
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    Example 3

    Senior Accountant

    Kimbro Oil Company – Nashville, TN
    Full-time $70,000 - $82,000/year

    We are looking for an experienced, qualified Senior Accountant. The Senior Accountant role is suited for the individual seeking opportunity for growth and development. To be successful in this role, the Senior Accountant should possess the ability to conduct a wide variety of intricate and complex accounting duties and projects. An ideal candidate for the Senior Accountant role should be savvy in Excel, have excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal skills, and the ability to create and maintain a team-oriented environment. The Senior Accountant should also possess the ability to review and analyze current processes for potential improvements and meet timeliness in completing assignments with deadlines and due dates and have strong integrity and ethics. Successful leader for this position is responsible for accounts receivable, bank and credit card reconciliation, general ledger management, fixed asset management, balance sheet preparation and maintenance. Must be a self-motivated, reliable individual interested in joining our rapidly growing organization.

    Kimbro Oil Company offers Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plan along with vacation and personal time. The position is Monday – Friday.

    Supervisory Role

    · Accounting Staff – Amazing Team of Five (5).

    Summary of Essential Job Functions:
  • Manage month-end close process.
  • Applies a broad knowledge of advanced accounting methods and procedures.
  • Performs general ledger balance sheet reconciliations, verify accuracy of data.
  • Year End Audits.
  • Fixed Assets.
  • Responsible for Bank Account Reconciliation.
  • Responsible for Credit Card Reconciliation.
  • Support monthly and year-end financial close, including assigned journal entries, balance sheet account reconciliations, and accruals.
  • Responding to information requests and assisting with audits.
  • Analyze and summarize account information and trends.
  • Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.
  • Department projects and other duties as assigned.

    Educational/Other Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
  • 3+ years of senior level accounting experience
  • 3+ years of supervisory experience
  • Familiarity with accounting and finance principles and procedures
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills and ability to multi-task
  • Strong knowledge and proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Power BI is a plus
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: $70,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Nashville, TN 37203: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Education:
  • Bachelor's (Required)

    Experience:
  • Senior Level Accounting: 3 years (Required)
  • Supervisory: 3 years Location: One location
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    Example 4

    Who We Are

    Consumer Directed Choices (CDChoices) is a nonprofit organization in Albany, NY, that empowers people to choose their own home care. As the premier provider of Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA), a Medicaid-funded program, we have over 20 years of experience empowering consumers to live independently. With superior customer service from trustworthy, knowledgeable staff and as the New York State CDPA leader for expertise, efficiency, and innovation, CDChoices was given the 2019 Nonprofit of the year award.

    Job Summary

    CDChoices is seeking a highly motivated individual with strong accounting skills to be part of the Finance department as the Senior Accountant. This position will oversee general accounting operations and perform complex accounting tasks, including journal entries, reconciliations, and verifying agency financial transactions. The Senior Accountant will maintain a ledger to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of all accounting tasks, including transactional processing, financial analysis, annual budget support and monitoring, and monthly financial statements.

    Responsibilities

    Essential functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls; ensure compliance with GAAP principles.
  • Prepare error-free financial reports, perform research and analysis, maintain the general ledger, perform account reconciliations, assist with audit preparations, and carry out other accounting duties required.
  • Analyze financial information and summarize financial status.
  • Review and recommend modifications to accounting systems and procedures.
  • Create periodic reports, such as balance sheets, profit & loss statements, and statements of cash flows, including financial analysis, variance explanations, and key performance indicators.
  • Assists with annual audit preparations, including the annual financial statement, workers compensation, retirement plan, and multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) plan.
  • Perform the day-to-day tactical administration of the CDChoices Retirement Plan, including processing enrollments, distributions, loans, employee deferrals, and annual reporting.
  • Investigate and resolve audit findings, account discrepancies, and issues of non-compliance.
  • Manage the Data & Billing Supervisor position.

    Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills

    Required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a closely related field
  • Minimum 5 years’ of accounting experience.

    Preferred
  • Minimum 2 years’ related supervisory experience.
  • CPA
  • Systems knowledge of Epaces/Emedny
  • Knowledge and support of independent living philosophies preferred.
  • Personal experience with disabilities or professional experience working with or for an agency that serves seniors and/or people with disabilities preferred.

    An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

    The ideal candidate must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and foster strong cross-functional relationships, internally and externally. Additionally, this candidate will have:
  • Demonstrated ability to retrieve and analyze financial data as well as the ability to produce and present comprehensive reports.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and shift priorities to meet day-to-day operational needs and mandated deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and develop internal and external relationships.
  • Demonstrated ability to take the lead and work independently on projects
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including V-lookups and pivot tables
  • Combines excellent analytical skills with a thorough knowledge of accounting principles to analyze financial reports and forecasts.
  • Solid working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and strong financial analysis skills; must have knowledge of accounting concepts.

    CDChoices, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: From $67,794.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Application Question(s):
  • Are you able to work in Albany, NY?
  • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

    Education:
  • Bachelor's (Preferred)

    Experience:
  • Accounting: 5 years Location: One location
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    Example 5

    Looking FOR Longevity! COME WORK FOR A FAST Growing Company!

    Mandell's Clinical Pharmacy is an independently-owned Specialty Retail Pharmacy located in Somerset, New Jersey. We are looking to hire a Senior Accountant who has great communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will have experience working with medical and prescription insurances and have at least 4 years of Accounting experience.

    You must have a positive personality and be able to work with a team. You will be responsible for managing incoming payments, monthly closings, financial statements and reconciliations as well as other accounting functions that are deemed necessary. This person will work closely with the CEO and must have Expert Excel skills so that they are able to run and generate reports.

    Candidates MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A Background, DRUG AND Alcohol Screening!!

    WHAT YOU WILL DO:
  • Research data and run reports on RX computer system.
  • Create Financial Dashboards and budgets.
  • Calculate sales commissions.
  • Draft correspondence for past due accounts and collections.
  • Identify delinquent accounts.
  • Research insurance discrepancies.
  • Process monthly closings and bank reconciliations.
  • Create and run financial reports.

    Requirements & Skills:
  • Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Finance.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must be reliable and extremely trustworthy

  • Four to five years of accounting experience
  • Ability to work independently and as a team
  • Intermediate Experience in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office
  • Advance or Expert Excel skills required
  • GAAP knowledge required
  • Effective interpersonal and time management skills
  • Able to maintain confidentiality and meticulous records

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: Up to $75,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development assistance
  • Vision insurance
    Physical Setting:
  • Office
    Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

    COVID-19 considerations:
    All Employees and customers are required to answer a daily health questionnaire before entering the building.

    Education:
  • Bachelor's (Required)

    Experience:
  • GAAP: 4 years (Required)
  • Accounting: 4 years (Required)
  • Microsoft Excel: 3 years (Required)

    Language:
  • English Location: One location
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    What does a Senior Accountant do?

    Senior Accountants typically work for accounting firms or corporations across industries to ensure their employer maintains efficient accounting practices. They work closely with company leadership and other finance professionals to reconcile accounts and review quarterly or annual reports. Their job is to help prepare information for external accounting audits and contact clients or business partners to ask about missed payments. They may also be responsible for training new accounting staff and delegating administrative tasks among lower-level accounting staff.

    Senior Accountant skills and qualifications

    Senior Accountant skills and qualifications may include degrees and certifications, previous work experience, technical skills, soft skills and personality traits compatible with working with numbers and supervising others who do so. A list of skills and qualifications might include the following:

    • Strong mathematical and analytical skills
    • Proficient in word processing and spreadsheet software
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills
    • Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
    • Demonstrated ability to lead a team
    • Strong understanding of federal, state and local tax regulations

    Senior Accountant salary expectations

    The average Senior Accountant salary is $73,929 per year. The starting salary for the position will vary based on the geographical location, education and experience level of the applicant.

    Senior Accountant education and training requirements

    Senior Accountants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or another related field. If the Senior Accountant will be filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), they are legally required to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). These licenses are issued by a state’s Board of Accountancy. Most states require 150 semester hours of college courses to become a CPA. 

    Senior Accountant experience requirements

    The Senior Accountant should have at least 5 years of accounting experience and 5 years’ experience leading a team. The Senior Accountant should be well versed in reviewing reports prepared by Staff or Junior Accountants. Senior Accountants are usually promoted to this position after working as a Staff of Junior Accountant. 

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    Frequently asked questions about Senior Accountants

     

    What is the difference between a Senior Accountant and a Staff Accountant?

    The difference between a Senior Accountant and a Staff Accountant is seniority and their scope of job responsibilities. For example, both Senior Accountants and Staff Accountants need to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Still, Senior Accountants usually have more years of experience working as an accountant or have obtained a master’s degree in accounting. Their differences in education and length of professional experience mean that Senior Accountants usually oversee Staff Accountants and other accounting staff. 

    This also means that they have different job responsibilities. Staff Accountants are typically responsible for updating company balance sheets and other financial statements, whereas Senior Accountants review those statements to make valuable insights about the company’s financial health.

     

    What are the daily duties of a Senior Accountant?

    On a typical day, a Senior Accountant starts by checking their email and voicemail to respond to time-sensitive messages from upper management, accounting staff or business clients. They review upcoming deadlines for financial reports or payments and plan their day accordingly. Throughout the day, they visit with accounting staff members to delegate tasks, answer questions and check on their progress with certain accounting projects. Senior Accountants also meet with the company’s financial leaders to strategize about investments, end-of-year procedures and new accounting policies.

     

    What qualities make a good Senior Accountant?

    A good Senior Accountant has a natural ability to lead, which motivates them to oversee accounting operations and help entry-level accounting professionals develop their skills. They value continued education and continually look for ways to enhance their understanding of accounting software, industry trends and ways to streamline accounting operations. Further, a good Senior Accountant has excellent interpersonal communication, allowing them to adjust their communication tactics depending on whether they’re speaking to accounting staff or company Executives. A good Senior Accountant also has superb attention to detail that helps them catch accounting errors or troubling accounting behaviors.

     

    Who does a Senior Accountant report to?

    Senior Accountants usually report to the Accounting or Finance Manager within a corporation. However, they can also report to the Director of Finance or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in smaller corporations. These individuals act as a point of communication for Senior Accountants when they uncover financial issues that could influence the company. Senior Accountants also present information to them about current debts that need to get paid by the end of the year and consult with them about clients who have yet to make their payments.

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      Last updated: Apr 28, 2021