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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