Staff Accountant Job Description
Students wondering 'what is a staff accountant?' should know that these professionals are one of the most common kinds of accountants. Their accounting job definition is that of a generalist and they can perform a wide range of duties specific to their position and employer. The staff accountant definition allows for staff accountants to work in either small or large businesses and typically in an office setting. Most of these professionals work full-time and may need to work longer hours during busy accounting seasons, such as tax season. Here we explore more about salaries, duties and responsibilities of accounting staff.
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What Does a Staff Accountant Do?
Staff accountants primarily help meet the individualized accounting needs of their employer. Depending on the position, this may mean that some staff accountants perform mostly bookkeeping duties, such as for a small business, while others may work in supervisory positions. In general, staff accountant duties include:
- Managing financial records
- Preparing financial statements
- Checking payroll records
- Reconciling accounts
- Handling reimbursements
- Closing monthly records and reports
- Ensuring efficiency and accuracy of records
- Utilizing accounting software
Staff Accountant Education Requirements
While there are several schools that offer free online accounting courses and others that offer associate's degree programs in accounting, most staff accountants need at least a bachelor's degree. These degree programs are typically offered as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree.
Bachelor's degree programs in accounting usually take four years to complete and are sometimes available in online formats. Some accounting programs may offer various areas of specialization within the field, such as international management, business economics, public administration, or finance. Common coursework for bachelor's programs in accounting include topics in:
- Financial reporting
- Auditing
- Accounting
- Taxation
- Ethics
- Financial analysis
Students with a bachelor's degree in accounting can also pursue other careers outside of being an accountant, including positions as financial advisors, budget analysts, or financial managers. Many bachelor's programs in accounting also help prepare students to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, but most staff accountants are not required to have this credential. Accountants may choose to pursue their CPA credential to gain clients or increase their job prospects.
Staff Accountant Salary
According to payscale.com, the average annual salary for a staff accountant was $54,577 as of February 2021. This salary could vary with factors like employer, location, and experience. The payscale.com website noted that staff accountants with 5 to 9 years of work experience had a median salary of $54,000, while those with 20 years or more of work experience had a median salary of $55,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an annual median salary of $71,550 in May 2019. The top-paying industry for accountants and auditors during this year was school and employee bus transportation with a median annual salary of $109,250.
Staff Accountant Outlook
The BLS reported a job outlook is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations.. This positive outlook is as fast as the national average and may be attributed to factors like growing economies and globalization. The increasing complexity of tax systems and regulations will also contribute to the growing need for knowledgeable accountants.
