What Do Accountant Do?
Position 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.
What Do Accountants Do On a Daily Basis?
- 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.
- Appraise, evaluate, and inventory real property and equipment, recording information such as the description, value, and location of property.
- Maintain or examine the records of government agencies.
- Advise management about issues such as resource utilization, tax strategies, and the assumptions underlying budget forecasts.
- Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts.
- Represent clients before taxing authorities and provide support during litigation involving financial issues.
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What an 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
- Traveling Repair Accountant
- Project Accountant
- Bank Accountant
- Accounting Officer
- Property Accountant
What Kind of Accountant Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 1,397,700 jobs for Accountant in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
How Much Does an Accountant Make?
Accountants make between $43,650 and $122,840 a year.

Accountants who work in District of Columbia, New York, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Accountants make 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 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 Visual Basic
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
How do I Become an Accountant?
Individuals working as an Accountant have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become an Accountant?

Where do Accountants Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Accountants employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Accountant in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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