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Staff Accountant Career Path

Staff Accountant  Career Path

Do you find yourself searching “staff accountant jobs” or “staff accountant salary” only to find an overload of outdated information? If so, NCW has got you covered! We are dedicated to finding individuals that can do the job and providing guidance throughout the entire process. 

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growth YOY in employment from 2021 to 2031
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average salary for staff accountants
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positions will open each year on average for the next 10 years

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See if you check our boxes to be a great staff accountant:   

Detail-Oriented

If you have a knack for picking out small mistakes and the skills to locate the data you require promptly, then being a staff accountant may be the perfect profession for you. Mistakes, however minuscule, can lead to major monetary problems for companies or individuals; hence, careful attention to detail is necessary for this role.

Integrity

Maintaining a level of personal and professional integrity is essential to being a successful staff accountant. Working with a company requires those around you to be confident in your abilities to handle financial data with the utmost discretion. Those around you should respect you for your honesty and responsibility for confidential information.

Well-Organized

If you are hoping to enter a profession as a staff accountant, possessing organizational proficiency is an enormous benefit. Accountants must arrange financial documents and other data accurately in order to mitigate the possibility of mistakes and ensure they can access information swiftly. If you have the ability to stay organized, you may thrive in this profession.
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Staff Accountant Job Overview

We think you have what it takes to be a staff accountant, do you?  

Staff accountants are essential for any organization or business. Their presence can be found in public accounting firms, corporate firms, government organizations, not-for-profit associations, and more. As a staff accountant, you will be expected to handle daily accounting operations, from compiling tax records to monitoring financial expenses. Ultimately, you will ensure the company’s finances run smoothly. 

Key requirements to be a great staff Accountant:

It is important to note that each employer may require slight changes in roles and responsibilities for a staff accountant. Just keep an eye out for these nuances. Here are the basic roles and responsibilities in every staff accountant job description: 

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Maintaining

Financial reports, records, and general ledger accounts.

Preparing

Journal entries, analysis, and account reconciliations and assisting with monthly closing processes.

Managing

Documentation for accounts payable, purchasing, and treasury; and conducting internal audits.

Contributing

To the development and review of annual operating budgets and performance projections.

Unsure of the next steps to becoming a staff accountant? We’ve got you:  

Getting Started
A Few Years In
Ramping Up
The Future

Education

Bachelor's degrees in these fields are the most common starting point:  Accounting, Finance, Economics, & Business Administration (less common).

Earn Certifications

You can take many accounting courses to get certifications that showcase your knowledge, skills, and also bump you to the top of a candidate list. Here are a few that you should consider:  Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), & Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Gain Experience

There is no replacement for professional experience and taking the time to advance your skills and knowledge. Once you spend several years as a staff accountant, you can decide the direction you want to take in your career. Here are a few related accounting careers to consider: Financial Accountant, Tax Accountant, Auditor, & Accounting Manager

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations offer development and networking opportunities with other professionals in your field. Joining an organization shows you are committed to your profession and actively committed to your career development. A few accounting organizations are listed below: American Accounting Association (AAA), National Society of Accountants (NSA), American Association of Finance & Accounting (AAFA), Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA)

Here are some trends we’ve noticed in the industry:

We’re passionate about learning & sharing the information we find. Here are some of the things we learned after studying position, industry, and related career trends. 

01

Accounting Software Technology  

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) requires data from various sources to be consolidated into one unified system in order for it to be effective. Artificial Intelligence requires large datasets for proficiency. To be trusted by accountants, accounting software must be integrated and 36% of businesses plan to use cloud-based accounting systems soon. 

02

Accounting Industry Hiring Trends  

A greater number of CPA firms anticipated recruiting more accounting graduates for 2022 (36%) than in 2021 (28%). Notably, audit departments have seen an 11.5% rise in hiring new accounting graduates between 2018 and 2020. In total, 74% of CPA firms expect to recruit the same number of accounting graduates in 2022.

03

Related Jobs

Once you start your career as a staff accountant there are several related jobs to consider:  

  • Financial Analyst 
  • Budget Analyst  
  • Controller
  • Internal Auditor
  • Managerial Accountant 

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So, how much can you earn?

Let's Talk Staff Accountant Salary

A staff accountant’s salary can range between $54,000-$110,000 based on factors like education, experience, and technical expertise. We know that’s a big range and how daunting it can feel starting out.

Here’s the breakdown:     

Entry-level avg. salary: $60,000  

Mid-level avg. salary: $79,000  

Senior-level avg. salary: $105,000  

 

Look out for these types of staff accountant jobs:   

  • Staff Accountant (I, II, III, IV) 
  • Accounting Clerk 
  • Accounting Analyst 
  • Senior Accountant 

These five states have the highest staff accountant salaries:   

  1. New York: $68,475/avg salary  
  2. New Jersey: $67,862/avg salary  
  3. Massachusetts: $62,722/avg salary  
  4. Connecticut: $61,140/avg salary  
  5. Rhode Island: $98,117/avg salary  

Unsure of next steps to become a Staff Accountant?

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Outsource Recruiting Services

Let us show you why NCW should be a part of your journey to becoming a staff accountant:

Our team is experienced in helping accounting professionals land their dream job. If you have excellent attention to detail, a passion for organizing, and a deep respect for confidentiality, we would love to help you find a staff accountant job that is perfect for you. Have another career interest? Not to worry; our services don’t end at staff accountant jobs – let us know what we can do for you. 

Our recruiters have years of experience working with top talent like you. We aim to get to know you, understand your aspirations, chat through your experience, and connect you with a position that aligns with your wants and needs.     

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Our team puts your resume directly in front of hiring managers' eyes.

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NCW expands your network to uncover opportunities that may not have been available otherwise.

By Your Side

Our recruiters prep you for the interview process and guide you through every step of the way.
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