Writing an Accounting Job Description

Writing an Accounting Job DescriptionWriting an Accounting Job DescriptionAn accounting job description thats thorough and well-written helps attract qualified candidates to your company - and helps deter unqualified applicants. An accurate accounting job description can serve as a basis for your employment posts and, later, as a template against which an employees performance can be measured.Here are some tips on what to include in your job descriptionKey areas to address in job descriptionsIn an accounting job description, requirements can differ significantly among specialties (e.g., tax vs. cost accountants) and between senior- and entry-level positions. The key areas to address are the followingExperience - How many years of experience does your position require? Accounting managers, for instance, should have at least five years of experience, while senior accountants need at least three.Education - Does the job youre posting require an undergraduate degree in accounting or f inance, for example, or is it also open to geschftlicher umgang administration majors? How much of an edge will having an MBA give a candidate?Certifications - Does this position require a professional certification such as CPA or Certified Internal Auditor designation?Technical skills - Do candidates need specialized technical know-how, such as proficiency with automated payroll processing services or operating databases?Soft skills - In addition to detailing the skills and experience youre seeking, your accounting job description should list the soft skills a new employee will need to fit in with your team. Valuable soft skills for accounting jobs include being analytical, critical reasoning, communication and presentation proficiencies, and multicultural awareness.Describe the jobOnce youve established the basics of the position, flesh it out to give potential applicants a better sense of the role and what its like to work at your organization. Here are some points to consider adding to your accounting job descriptionCompensation - Be as specific as possible about the range you will pay. You can also use the accounting job description to highlight the benefits that come with the job. The 2018 Robert Half Salary Guide provides guidance on appropriate starting pay for mora than 190 positions in the accounting and finance fields. The guide also has information on customizing salary ranges for more than 135 U.S. cities. You can also use the Salary Calculator to search job salaries by ZIP code.Responsibilities - State the immediate and long-term objectives for the position. Detail the new hires daily work responsibilities, as well as his or her role on any less-frequent - though still critical - programs or initiatives. For example, responsibilities for an experienced tax accountant might include researching tax laws and regulations, completing corporate tax returns, assisting during tax audits, and responding to notices from taxing authorities.Logistics - Specify to whom the new hire will report, where work will be performed and the other people in your organization he or she can expect to work with regularly. If the new recruit will have people reporting to him or her, the accounting job description needs to indicate this clearly. Other topics to address include attendance requirements and telecommuting options, if any.Your organization - Promote your company culture and strengths. At small businesses, employees often have broader responsibilities than they might in a larger firm, as well as opportunities to learn new skills and get promoted more quickly. If youre a larger company, you can emphasize the pride employees take in being part of a well-known business.Dont forget the fine printMost accounting positions are in the exempt category - meaning they are not eligible for overtime pay - but some can be nonexempt, and you need to state this in either case. Also make it clear the list of duties include in the accounting job d escription isnt exhaustive and may change over time. Just to be safe, you may want to get legal advice when categorizing the position.Sample job descriptions for accounting jobsBelow are a couple of sample accounting job descriptions to help get you started. Keep in mind that these are just a starting point and should be customized to better fit the exact position youre hoping to staff.General or internal auditor jobsCompanies seek self-starters who possess attention to detail and solid communication skills for staff accountant positions. Candidates must have a bachelors degree in accounting or finance. Strong technology skills are critical, particularly expertise with Microsoft Excel. Typical duties vary by practice area but may includeReviewing general ledger accounts and correcting journal entriesPerforming account analysis and reconciliation, including bank statements and intercompany general ledger accountsMaintaining the general ledger chart of accountsConducting initial inter nal control evaluationsAscertaining whether company assets are properly accounted for and safeguarded from lossPosting monthly, quarterly and yearly accrualsEntry-level staff accountant jobs Companies hiring entry-level staff accountants seek individuals who are proficient with Microsoft Excel and possess strong time-management, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills. Candidates need a bachelors degree in accounting or finance. Typical duties vary by practice area but may includePreparing journal entriesAssisting with audit fieldwork for both operational and financial auditsReconciling and balancing general ledger accountsResearching and correcting account discrepanciesProviding written summaries of statistical sampling findings for review by senior staffHow do your accounting and finance job descriptions stack up? Could you use help with hiring temporary accounting professionals? VIEW OUR HIRING PAGE