What You Need to Know About Accountant
Accountant Definition 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.
Daily Life Of an Accountant
- Develop, maintain, and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
- Represent clients before taxing authorities and provide support during litigation involving financial issues.
- Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.
- Prepare forms and manuals for accounting and bookkeeping personnel and direct their work activities.
- Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts.
- Report to management regarding the finances of establishment.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Accountant?
These are the skills Accountants say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Types of Accountant Jobs
- Forensic Accountant
- Cost Accounting Manager
- Project Accountant
- Industrial Accountant
- Property Accountant
What Kind of Accountant Job Opportunities Are There?
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 141,800 job openings in this field each 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 typical yearly salary for Accountants is somewhere between $43,650 and $122,840.
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 Visual Basic
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
How to Become an Accountant
Education needed to be an Accountant:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Accountants Are Employed
Accountants work in the following industries:
You May Also 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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