Account Associate Job Description

Accounting Associate Jobs in the United States

Accounting associates are the ones who keep track of and verify all the money going into and out of the business through accounts payable and receivable. An accounting associate needs a degree in accounting that takes two years to complete. Accounting associates with an associate's degree may be competing against candidates with a bachelor's degree.

Economics, financial accounting, business ethics, public accounting, and bookkeeping are included in the coursework. The national median salary for accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping clerks is $38,390 according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those in the top 10 percent make more than $60,000 and those in the bottom 10 percent make less.

The National Society of Accountants was founded in 1945. It is dedicated to helping members find career opportunities. The website has both in-person and webinars.

Audit Associate: A Professional Accountant in Government Accounting

The key roles of an audit associate are assisting the senior auditors or managers in auditing and compliance activities. Audit associates are usually well equipped with auditing procedures. Audit associates are mainly responsible for the business analysis, preparation, and review of accounting and documentation of audit evidence, make sure to achieve minimum firm standards according to government laws and prepare of budgets for future operations.

Audit associates can be hired by the company as employees to help with the financial division, while external auditors can be hired to assist the audit manager. They make sure that financial statements are kept in line with the standards. The audit associate is responsible for generating proper tax records for government agencies.

The audit associate is responsible for getting all the resources to complete the project on time. A well-experienced audit associate can manage multiple projects. Suggestions and opinions from an audit associate are included in the final report.

Accounting Skills in the Workforce

Accountants have a good job outlook and pay is above the median earnings for American workers. If you enjoy working with numbers, you might be able to find a job in the accounting world. Accountants collect, organize, and track financial information.

They prepare financial reports for internal use by staff and to meet requirements by the government, shareholders, and other external entities. Accountants prepare tax returns to minimize tax liability and report income according to the IRS code. They advise clients or management on strategies to limit tax burdens.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that accountants will have 4% growth in employment from the year of 2020 to the year of 2029. Accountants with professional certifications are more likely to have good job prospects. Accounting requires certain skills, such as mathematics and expertise.

Many positions require a thorough knowledge of laws and regulations. Accountants must have strong analytical skills, have a facility with computer software to organize and report financial data, and be detail oriented. Accounting professionals must read and interpret data.

Accountants might look at a client's finances to reduce their tax liability. Auditors might look for instances of people using funds. Accounting jobs require being able to analyze numbers and figures in documents.

Accounting Assistant Jobs

You will be asked to provide administrative support and may also advise senior accountants in relation to the company's overall accounting process. You will most likely be working under a Senior Accountant or someone in a similar position of authority within the firm. Once you become a qualified accountant, you can aim for top positions such as Auditor, Finance Controller, Tax analyst or Director of Finance Divisions.

There are no downsides to filling out tax forms. It can become tedious as the role doesn't include a lot of variety. An accounts assistant job description is all about reliability and consistency so it may not be the best fit for someone looking for excitement in a job.

An Overview of Public and Private Accounting Jobs

You need a degree to become an accountant. You have to decide if you want to work in public or private accounting. Public accountants prepare financial documents for individuals and corporations that are required to be disclosed to the public.

Private accountants work for a company. Public accounting jobs require long hours and can be very busy, while private accounting jobs can be less busy and have less opportunities to advance or specialize. It is important to research the pros and cons of public and private accounting.

There are opportunities to work your way up the corporate ladder if you work in accounting. You can start exploring more advanced positions once you have some professional experience under your belt. After nine or more years of working as an accountant, your experience in managing and leading could put you in contention for some of the most coveted positions in the industry.

Account Managers

An account management career is often suited for excellent communicators with a commitment to client satisfaction. An account manager who is attentive to the needs of their customers can be the difference between a happy customer and one who leaves the company. Account managers work with the appropriate people within their company to resolve problems if they occur.

Customers know who to contact for reliable answers when they need them. Account managers who are effective may go on to an account director position. Some become a director of account services, a high-level role that oversees the entire account management department.

Account managers work from home, on-site or in an office. They can travel to meet with clients and work from home. Account managers sometimes need to be available on evenings or weekends.