Profession · Full profile

Accountant

Manage financial records, prepare tax returns, and ensure regulatory compliance for organizations.

Average salary

$83,680

Salary range

$56,020 – $144,090

Training time

4 years full time

Job market

Faster than average

8/10

Work-life balance

Fair

5/10

Accountants record financial transactions, reconcile general ledger accounts, and prepare monthly closings alongside annual financial statements. They examine financial records for accuracy and ensure compliance with GAAP and tax laws. In addition, these professionals analyze costs, prepare tax returns, and assist management with budgets. They also assist external auditors and strengthen internal controls across organizational processes. Pay and job figures cover accountants and auditors, the official group that includes accountants.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A regular weekday focused on routine account reconciliations, variance analysis, and ledger management.

8:30 AM
Review ledger updates
Review bank transactions and overnight ledger postings in accounting software.
9:30 AM
Account reconciliations
Reconcile bank accounts, credit card statements, and general ledger accounts.
11:30 AM
Team check-in
Meet with the accounting team to review work schedules and close preparations.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Take a midday break.
1:15 PM
Cost variance analysis
Analyze costs and budget variances in advanced Excel spreadsheets.
3:00 PM
Management reporting
Meet with department managers to explain budget variance results.
4:00 PM
Internal controls review
Document financial processes and verify internal control procedures.
4:45 PM
Administrative wrap-up
Organize daily documentation and plan priorities for the next morning.

Task breakdown

A high-volume workday during peak reporting cycles with extended hours and urgent deadlines.

8:00 AM
Closing schedule review
Check open closing tasks and monitor approaching tax filing deadlines.
9:00 AM
Journal entries and adjustments
Post adjusting journal entries to general ledger accounts.
11:00 AM
Tax return preparation
Prepare tax returns for business clients and review tax compliance details.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Take a midday meal break.
1:00 PM
Financial statement preparation
Draft monthly financial statements and verify balance sheet balances.
3:00 PM
Auditor collaboration
Meet with external auditors to provide requested documentation.
4:30 PM
Compliance checks
Review financial statements against GAAP standards to verify accuracy.
6:00 PM
Evening closing tasks
Complete remaining reconciliations during extended closing hours.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$56,020

Average

$83,680

Maximum

$144,090

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$56,020	$83,680	$144,090
California	$61,770	$97,050	$160,520
Texas	$53,380	$80,920	$132,040
New York	$63,700	$102,640	$171,030
Florida	$50,280	$79,250	$131,930
Illinois	$54,510	$80,230	$131,990

Typical benefits

Paid CPA exam fees or study materials at many firms

Many employers sponsor prep courses and examination expenses for staff pursuing licensure.

Hybrid or remote work options

Cloud accounting platforms allow flexible home and office working arrangements.

Health insurance

Employers offer medical coverage plans to protect employee health.

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Companies provide retirement savings opportunities complemented by direct employer matching.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Most entry-level accountant jobs require this degree, which provides core instruction across financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
High school subjects: Financial accounting, auditing, tax and business law

Master's degree

1 to 2 years full time

Master of Accountancy or Master of Taxation

Many students use it to reach the 150 semester hours that most states have required for CPA licensure. A growing number of states also allow CPA licensure with a bachelor's degree plus extra work experience.

Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree
High school subjects: Advanced accounting, taxation

License

Exam study plus work experience

CPA license

Candidates must pass the four-part Uniform CPA Examination to earn this credential, which is required to sign audit reports for clients. Licensed CPAs must complete continuing education to keep the license.

Entry requirements: Required college credits and supervised work experience set by the state
High school subjects: Uniform CPA Examination topics

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)Applies standard accounting principles to maintain accurate and compliant financial records.
Account reconciliationReconciles bank balances, credit card statements, and general ledger accounts.
Financial statement preparationCompiles monthly closings and annual financial statements for organizational reporting.
Tax preparationPrepares federal, state, and local tax returns for individual or business clients.
Accounting software such as QuickBooks or ERP systemsRecords transactions and runs reports through specialized cloud and enterprise platforms.
Advanced ExcelConstructs complex spreadsheets to examine financial figures and analyze cost variances.

Soft skills

Attention to detailIdentifies numerical discrepancies and verifies accuracy across large volumes of data.
Analytical thinkingEvaluates financial patterns, analyzes cost variances, and interprets budget data.
IntegrityUpholds ethical conduct and strictly adheres to financial regulations and accounting laws.
Clear communication with non-financial staffExplains complex accounting results and budgetary variances clearly to managers.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
Detail-orientedCatches subtle errors and inconsistencies within complex financial records.
✓
AnalyticalEnjoys working through numerical problems and investigating variance outcomes.
✓
EthicalMaintains strict confidentiality and values regulatory transparency.
✓
OrganizedPrioritizes tight deadlines across month-end closes and tax filing seasons.
✓
CommunicativeTranslates financial data into practical insights for operational leaders.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

115,300

Trend

Growth

+5%

AI impact

5/10

Software increasingly automates bookkeeping entries, reconciliations and routine tax returns. Judgment on complex transactions, advising clients and signing off on audits stay human.

Regional demand

New York

High demand concentrated in financial services, major corporations, and large public accounting firms.

6/10

California

Strong employment demand across corporate headquarters, technology firms, and public accounting practices.

5/10

Florida

Active hiring across regional businesses, tax preparation practices, and commercial banking institutions.

5/10

Illinois

Consistent hiring through manufacturing firms, corporate centers, and financial services companies.

5/10

Texas

Steady opportunities in expanding corporate offices, private businesses, and energy sector finance.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Senior accountant
2-5 years
Handles complex ledger reconciliations, leads closing processes, and guides junior team members.
Accounting manager
5-8 years
Supervises accounting department staff and oversees daily financial reporting activities.
Controller or finance manager
8-12 years
Directs organizational accounting functions, manages financial statements, and oversees internal controls.
Chief financial officer (CFO)
Leads organizational financial strategy, executive planning, and high-level financial administration.

Horizontal move

Financial analyst
Transitions to evaluating economic trends, building forecast models, and evaluating investments.
View Financial Analyst
Compliance officer
Shifts focus to monitoring corporate adherence to regulatory requirements and internal rules.
View Compliance Officer
Internal auditor
Specializes in reviewing organizational internal controls, auditing operations, and ensuring financial accuracy.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Most accountants work full time, and overtime is common during tax season and at month-end and year-end close.
Remote work: Remote and hybrid work are common because most accounting work is done in cloud software, though audit fieldwork and some client meetings happen on site.
Physical requirements: The work is sedentary office or home office work at a computer for most of the day.
Typical employers: Public accounting firms, corporations and private companies, federal, state and local government agencies, tax preparation firms, nonprofit organizations, banks and insurance companies.
Professional associations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does an accountant do on a typical day?

An accountant records financial transactions and reconciles bank, credit card, and general ledger accounts. They review financial records for accuracy and compliance with GAAP and tax laws. In addition, accountants analyze costs and variances to explain results to managers. During closing cycles, they prepare monthly closings and financial statements while supporting external auditors.

Do you need a CPA license to work as an accountant?

No, you do not need a CPA license for every accounting role, but it is required to sign audit reports for clients. A state board of accountancy grants this credential after candidates meet education rules and pass the four-part Uniform CPA Examination. Optional credentials include the Certified Management Accountant for corporate roles and the Certified Internal Auditor.

What degree is required to become an accountant?

Most entry-level accountant jobs require a bachelor's degree in accounting. This four-year degree covers financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law. Some graduates pursue a Master of Accountancy or Master of Taxation to complete 150 semester hours for licensing. However, a growing number of states also allow CPA licensure with a bachelor's degree plus extra work experience.

Can accountants work remotely?

Yes, remote and hybrid work arrangements are common for accountants. Because most accounting tasks are completed using cloud software, staff can balance home and office schedules effectively. However, certain responsibilities still require in-person attendance, such as client meetings and audit fieldwork conducted at client locations. Work remains largely sedentary computer work throughout the day.

What are the typical working hours for an accountant?

Most accountants work full-time schedules during regular weekday daytime hours. However, overtime is common during tax season as well as during month-end and year-end close periods. Work during these peak deadlines can include evening and weekend shifts. Outside of seasonal deadlines, accounting professionals generally experience predictable weekday working hours.

What types of employers hire accountants?

Accountants work across many sectors, including public accounting firms, corporations, and private companies. They are also hired by federal, state, and local government agencies, tax preparation firms, nonprofit organizations, banks, and insurance companies. These diverse environments allow accountants to choose between specialized public practice, governmental oversight, corporate finance, or internal auditing roles.

Explore further

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In depth

All about accountant

The background, context and details.

Core duties and daily responsibilities

Accountants track, examine, and manage financial records across diverse organizations. Daily tasks include recording financial transactions and reconciling bank, credit card, and general ledger accounts. During financial reporting periods, accountants prepare monthly closings and annual financial statements. They also prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for businesses or individuals. Accuracy remains essential, so professionals regularly review records to ensure full compliance with GAAP and applicable tax laws. In addition, accountants analyze costs, budgets, and variances to explain financial outcomes to management, while supporting external auditors and improving internal control procedures.

Work environment and flexibility

The accounting field features varied work settings, from public accounting firms to corporate offices and government bodies. Sedentary computer work characterizes the day, whether completed in a traditional office or at home. Remote and hybrid work are common because most accounting work is done in cloud software. However, audit fieldwork and client meetings often take place on site. Working hours generally follow weekday schedules, though overtime becomes regular during month-end close, year-end close, and tax season. These busy periods require evening and weekend hours to meet strict regulatory deadlines.

Educational paths and professional credentials

Entering the field typically requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, which takes 4 years full time. This coursework covers financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law. To qualify as a Certified Public Accountant, candidates must satisfy state board rules and pass the four-part Uniform CPA Examination. While many states have required 150 semester hours, often achieved through a master's degree taking 1 to 2 years full time, a growing number of states allow licensure with a bachelor's degree plus extra work experience. Additional credentials include the Certified Management Accountant and the Certified Internal Auditor.

Career advancement and market outlook

Accounting careers offer multiple pathways for professional progression. Entry-level staff can advance vertically to senior accountant, accounting manager, controller, or chief financial officer. Professionals may also pivot horizontally into internal auditing, financial analysis, or compliance officer positions. Employment is projected to change by 5% over the next decade, generating about 115,300 openings each year. Emerging software automates repetitive reconciliations and basic tax returns, but human judgment remains necessary for complex transactions, advisory services, and audit sign-offs.