What Does a Staff Accountant Do?
At its core, the role of a staff accountant is to keep the financial engine of a business running smoothly and accurately. They’re the professionals working behind the scenes to ensure every transaction is recorded correctly, every report aligns with financial standards, and every penny is accounted for. Think of them as the financial architects who construct the sturdy framework on which a company’s fiscal decisions are built.
Day to day, a staff accountant juggles a variety of tasks, such as recording journal entries, reconciling bank statements, managing accounts payable and receivable, and assisting in month-end and year-end closings. But their impact goes beyond data entry. They help translate raw financial data into actionable insights, playing a crucial role in budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Their attention to detail is crucial; one small error can cascade into costly consequences.
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Core Responsibilities of a Staff Accountant
- General ledger maintenance: Record and reconcile financial transactions in the general ledger to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Month-end and year-end close: Assist with closing procedures, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
- Financial reporting: Prepare internal and external financial statements in compliance with GAAP and company policies.
- Account reconciliation: Regularly reconcile bank accounts, credit card statements, and other balance sheet accounts to maintain data integrity.
- Accounts payable and receivable support: Assist with invoice processing, vendor payments, and client billing to ensure timely and accurate transactions.
- Fixed asset management: Track and manage fixed assets, calculate depreciation, and maintain asset schedules.
- Budgeting and forecasting support: Provide financial data and analysis to support budget preparation and long-term forecasting.
- Audit Preparation: Support internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation, explanations, and reconciliations as required.
- Tax and compliance support: Assist in preparing information for tax filings and ensure adherence to financial regulations and company policies.
- Process improvement: Identify inefficiencies in financial processes and recommend or implement solutions to enhance accuracy and productivity.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a staff accountant, professionals need more than just a knack for numbers. Employers seek a combination of technical expertise, interpersonal skills, relevant credentials, and educational background that demonstrates long-term potential and reliability.
Hard skills
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle)
- Strong understanding of GAAP and other accounting standards
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, macros)
- Experience with financial reporting and general ledger functions
- Familiarity with reconciliations, budgeting, and forecasting
- Understanding of tax regulations and audit preparation
Soft skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities
- Analytical thinking and financial problem-solving
- Clear and professional communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
Required qualifications
- 1–3 years of relevant accounting experience
- Solid understanding of accounting principles and best practices
- Eligibility to work in the United States (or applicable region)
Certifications
Certifications are not always required, but can enhance professional credibility and advancement opportunities:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The gold standard for accounting professionals
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA): Ideal for those in corporate finance or planning
- Certified Bookkeeper (CB): Useful for early-career professionals or support-level roles
- Chartered Accountant (CA): Recognized globally, particularly in international roles
Education
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
Staff Accountant Preferred Qualifications
- 2–4 years of experience in a general accounting role
- Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal controls
- Exposure to international accounting standards or multi-entity accounting
- Experience supporting audits and working with external auditors
National Average Salary
Staff accountant salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Staff Accountant is:
$68,559
Sample Staff Accountant Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a staff accountant. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1: Tax Staff Accountant
We are seeking a detail-oriented tax staff accountant to join our growing tax team. In this role, you’ll assist with preparing individual and corporate tax returns, conducting tax research, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to deepen their knowledge of tax regulations.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare and review individual, corporate, partnership, and nonprofit tax returns
- Assist with quarterly and annual tax filings and estimated payments
- Research and analyze complex tax issues and communicate findings
- Stay current on federal, state, and local tax laws and regulation changes
- Assist with tax audits and correspondence with tax authorities
- Maintain organized and accurate tax records and support documentation
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 1–3 years of tax preparation or public accounting experience
- Understanding of GAAP and IRS regulations
- Proficiency with tax software (e.g., UltraTax, Lacerte, or ProSystem fx)
- Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
Preferred qualifications:
- CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) license, or actively pursuing certification
- Master’s in Taxation (MST) or completion of relevant tax coursework
- Experience with multi-state tax filings and international tax is a plus
- Prior experience in a public accounting firm or tax advisory role
- Familiarity with nonprofit tax requirements (Form 990)
Example 2: Audit Staff Accountant
We’re hiring an organized and inquisitive audit staff accountant to support our internal and external audit processes. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with audit planning, control testing, and risk assessment while working across various departments and client industries.
Key responsibilities:
- Perform audit testing and prepare audit documentation and workpapers
- Assist in evaluating internal controls and identifying process improvements
- Participate in audit fieldwork and interviews with stakeholders
- Help draft audit findings and provide recommendations to management
- Ensure audit activities are completed according to timelines and standards
- Support the audit team with special projects and compliance reviews
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a closely related field
- Understanding of auditing principles (GAAS) and financial reporting standards (GAAP)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Excel and audit software (e.g., CaseWare, TeamMate)
Preferred qualifications:
- CPA or CPA-eligible status preferred
- Internship or 1+ year of experience in public or internal audit
- Experience working in a Big Four or mid-sized accounting firm
- Knowledge of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO)
- Familiarity with SOX compliance and risk-based auditing
Example 3: Corporate Staff Accountant
We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented corporate staff accountant to join our in-house finance department. This position is ideal for a motivated accounting professional who enjoys reconciling accounts, managing the month-end close process, and collaborating across teams to ensure accurate financial reporting.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare journal entries and reconcile bank and general ledger accounts
- Support monthly and quarterly close processes
- Assist in the preparation of financial statements and internal reports
- Manage fixed assets and prepare depreciation schedules
- Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
- Support annual audits and ensure compliance with accounting policies
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business
- 1–3 years of general accounting experience in a corporate setting
- Solid understanding of GAAP and financial reporting principles
- Experience with ERP or accounting systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Oracle)
- Strong Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables
Preferred qualifications:
- CPA license or progress toward certification
- Public accounting experience or corporate accounting in a mid- to large-sized company
- Experience with financial consolidations or multi-entity environments
- Exposure to SEC reporting or internal controls (SOX compliance)
- MBA or Master’s in Accounting is a plus
Example 4: Nonprofit Staff Accountant
Our organization is looking for a mission-driven nonprofit staff accountant to support the unique financial needs of our nonprofit operations. This role is responsible for grant tracking, donor reporting, fund accounting, and compliance with nonprofit financial regulations. It’s an excellent fit for someone who’s as passionate about purpose-driven work as they are about numbers.
Key responsibilities:
- Maintain accounting for restricted and unrestricted funds
- Track grant expenditures and prepare financial reports for funders
- Record journal entries and perform account reconciliations
- Assist in preparing monthly financial statements and budget reports
- Collaborate with program teams on expense allocations and budgeting
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit-specific accounting standards (FASB ASC 958)
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 1–3 years of accounting experience, preferably within a nonprofit organization
- Familiarity with fund accounting and donor reporting
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks Nonprofit, Blackbaud, MIP)
- Strong understanding of GAAP and nonprofit regulations
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with federal and private grant reporting
- Knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) compliance
- CPA or Nonprofit Finance Professional (CNAP) certification
- Strong understanding of FASB standards applicable to nonprofits
- Experience preparing 990 forms or working with external auditors