Life As an Accountant
Career Description Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.
List of Accountant Job Duties
- Survey operations to ascertain accounting needs and to recommend, develop, or maintain solutions to business and financial problems.
- Advise management about issues such as resource utilization, tax strategies, and the assumptions underlying budget forecasts.
- Appraise, evaluate, and inventory real property and equipment, recording information such as the description, value, and location of property.
- Advise clients in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting or data processing systems, or long-range tax or estate plans.
- Develop, maintain, and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
- Maintain or examine the records of government agencies.
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What Every Accountant Should Know
Accountants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Public Accountant
- Revenue Accountant
- Staff Accountant
- Reporting Analyst
- Inventory Accountant
Job Opportunities for Accountants
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,397,700 jobs in the United States for Accountant. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 139,900 new jobs for Accountant by 2026. There will be an estimated 141,800 positions for Accountant per year.
The states with the most job growth for Accountant are Utah, Colorado, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Accountant Salary
The salary for Accountants ranges between about $43,650 and $122,840 a year.
Accountants who work in District of Columbia, New York, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Accountants in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $70,310 |
| Alaska | $82,920 |
| Arizona | $69,190 |
| Arkansas | $67,700 |
| California | $84,430 |
| Colorado | $82,320 |
| Connecticut | $84,890 |
| Delaware | $78,120 |
| District of Columbia | $98,130 |
| Florida | $71,790 |
| Georgia | $75,930 |
| Hawaii | $65,580 |
| Idaho | $66,110 |
| Illinois | $81,060 |
| Indiana | $70,780 |
| Iowa | $67,030 |
| Kansas | $66,530 |
| Kentucky | $67,080 |
| Louisiana | $66,860 |
| Maine | $70,810 |
| Maryland | $82,610 |
| Massachusetts | $81,460 |
| Michigan | $74,370 |
| Minnesota | $72,480 |
| Mississippi | $62,850 |
| Missouri | $70,240 |
| Montana | $66,410 |
| Nebraska | $67,920 |
| Nevada | $66,600 |
| New Hampshire | $72,690 |
| New Jersey | $90,400 |
| New Mexico | $66,370 |
| New York | $96,300 |
| North Carolina | $76,880 |
| North Dakota | $61,870 |
| Ohio | $72,370 |
| Oklahoma | $73,040 |
| Oregon | $71,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,250 |
| Rhode Island | $81,090 |
| South Carolina | $64,750 |
| South Dakota | $65,800 |
| Tennessee | $69,690 |
| Texas | $80,200 |
| Utah | $70,980 |
| Vermont | $75,360 |
| Virginia | $85,640 |
| Washington | $78,970 |
| West Virginia | $68,160 |
| Wisconsin | $68,410 |
| Wyoming | $66,180 |
What Tools & Technology do Accountants Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Accountants:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
How to Become an Accountant
What education or degrees do I need to become an Accountant?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Accountants Work?
Below are examples of industries where Accountants work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as an Accountant sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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