Accountants :: Job Description

ExistingUsers

User Name:

Password:

Forgot your password?
Click here

NewUsers

FeaturedResources

Accountants

Careers / Accountants

Summary 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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Accountant

2.	Accountant Manager

3.	Accounting Analyst

4.	Accounting Bookkeeper

5.	Accounting Consultant

6.	Accounting Manager

7.	Accounting Methods Analyst

8.	Accounting Officer

9.	Accounting Supervisor

10.	Accounting Systems Analyst

11.	Accounting Technician

12.	Asset Analyst

13.	Bank Accountant

14.	Bookkeeper

15.	Budget Accountant

16.	Bursar

17.	Business Analyst

18.	Cash Accountant

19.	Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

20.	Chartered Accountant

21.	Chief Accountant

22.	Controller

23.	Corporate Accountant

24.	Cost Accountant

25.	Cost Accounting Manager

26.	Cost Controller

27.	Finance Director

28.	Financial Accountant

29.	Financial Adviser

30.	Financial Analyst

31.	Financial Reporting Accountant

32.	Financial Systems Analyst

33.	Fiscal Accountant

34.	Forensic Accountant

35.	Fund Accountant

36.	General Accountant

37.	General Ledger Accountant

38.	Industrial Accountant

39.	Inventory Accountant

40.	Key Account Manager

41.	Medical Accountant

42.	Mutual Fund Accountant

43.	Non Profit Financial Controller

44.	Nonprofit Financial Controller

45.	Payroll Accountant

46.	Payroll Analyst

47.	Plant Controller

48.	Procurement Accountant

49.	Project Accountant

50.	Property Accountant

51.	Public Accountant

52.	Railroad Accountant

53.	Reporting Analyst

54.	Revenue Accountant

55.	Revenue Manager

56.	Staff Accountant

57.	Systems Accountant

58.	Tax Accountant

59.	Tax Analyst

60.	Tax Associate

61.	Tax Expert

62.	Tax Manager

63.	Tax Preparer

64.	Tax Representative

65.	Traveling Accountant

66.	Traveling Repair Accountant

Job Tasks

	Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. Examine financial records. Examine financial records or processes. Analyze business or financial data.

	Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements. Calculate tax information. Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

	Report to management regarding the finances of establishment. Report information to managers or other personnel.

	Maintain or examine the records of government agencies. Examine financial records or processes. Maintain data in information systems or databases.

	Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts. Prepare financial documents.

	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. Advise others on human resources topics.

	Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology. Develop business or financial information systems.

	Develop, maintain, and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs. Analyze budgetary or accounting data.

	Provide internal and external auditing services for businesses or individuals. Examine financial records or processes.

	Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice. Analyze business or financial data.

	Advise management about issues such as resource utilization, tax strategies, and the assumptions underlying budget forecasts. Advise others on financial matters.

	Represent clients before taxing authorities and provide support during litigation involving financial issues.

	Prepare forms and manuals for accounting and bookkeeping personnel and direct their work activities. Supervise employees.

	Appraise, evaluate, and inventory real property and equipment, recording information such as the description, value, and location of property. Evaluate condition of properties. Appraise property values. Monitor inventories of products or materials.

	Survey operations to ascertain accounting needs and to recommend, develop, or maintain solutions to business and financial problems. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

	Serve as bankruptcy trustees or business valuators. Advise others on financial matters.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Accountants and Auditors
	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. Accountants and auditors assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Accountants and Auditors
	Most accountants and auditors work full time. In 2014, about 1 in 5 worked more than 40 hours per week. Overtime hours are typical at certain times of the year, such as at the end of the budget year or during tax season.

	Read More >>

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Interesting Fact

Before becoming an actor, Bob Newhart worked as an accountant.

Did you know...

The MyPlan.com Values Assessment Test scores and ranks 900 different careers based on how well they match your values system!