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What does a Senior Accountant do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A senior accountant is responsible for overseeing the financial activities of an organization. They produce financial reports, monitor spending, and develop budgets. They also work with other departments to ensure that all financial transactions are properly recorded.

Senior Accountant job duties include:

  • Maintaining and reconciling ledgers
  • Preparing month-end and year-end financial statements
  • Calculating and preparing tax returns
  • Managing budgets
  • Creating financial models
  • Conducting audits
  • Identifying cost-saving opportunities
  • Negotiating with vendors
  • Supervising junior accountants

Senior Accountant Job Requirements

A Senior Accountant typically has a Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Many employers also require Senior Accountants to be certified public accountants (CPAs). In addition to education and certification, Senior Accountants must have several years of experience working in accounting or a related field.

Senior Accountant Skills

  • Financial reporting
  • Tax compliance
  • Accounts payable/receivable
  • General ledger
  • Cost accounting
  • Budgeting
  • Auditing
  • Financial analysis
  • Variance analysis
  • Forecasting
  • Cash management

Related: Top Senior Accountant Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Senior Accountant

A senior accountant is a professional who provides financial and tax services to clients. They are responsible for preparing financial statements, managing budgets, and overseeing audits. Senior accountants typically have at least five years of experience in the field.

To become a senior accountant, you will need to complete a four-year degree in accounting or a related field. You will also need to pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Once you have your CPA license, you can begin working as an accountant. To advance to a senior position, you will need to gain experience and build a strong reputation in the field.

Senior accountants are in high demand and can command high salaries. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, becoming a senior accountant is a great option.

Related: Senior Accountant Resume Example

Related: Senior Accountant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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