Accounting Analyst Jobs Overview
Accounting analysts look for patterns, risks, and development options in financial data like spending plans and cash flow documents. Employers can increase profits using analysts' comprehensive reports and strategic insights. If you’re looking for accounting analyst jobs, you’ll find the most opportunities in finance, insurance, management, credit intermediation, government, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
As an accounting analyst, your duties include:
- analyzing financial statements
- preparing and managing budgets
- reviewing cash flow statements
- generating detailed reports for stakeholders
- monitoring employer expenses
- ensuring compliance with financial regulations
- supporting month-end and year-end closing processes
- reconciling accounts
- providing strategic recommendations
You'll usually work in an office setting during regular, full-time hours whether for a private company, a bank, or the government. Periods of high activity, such as audits, tax season, and month-end or year-end closings, can lead to overtime. If flexibility is important to you, some employers have policies that allow you to work remotely from home.
Salaries for Accounting Analyst Jobs
Accounting analysts earn from $53,032 to $106,510 annually, with a median pay of $75,401 per year. Accounting analysts are in high demand in cities like Atlanta, GA, New York, NY, and Houston, TX.
See how much you can earn as an accounting analyst with Monster's Salary Tool. You can easily compare salaries by location to see where you have the highest earning potential.
How to Find the Best Accounting Analyst Jobs for You
It's important to reflect on your interests and strengths as you plan your career path in accounting and analysis. Is making strategic decisions more appealing to you, or do you prefer dealing with financial statistics and figures? You might do well analyzing financial accounts if you have a keen eye for detail and excellent analytical abilities.
Budgeting and forecasting could be more your speed if you thrive in analytical thinking and like solving problems. You also need to think about your shortcomings. It might be best to find a firm that offers flexible due dates and moderate workloads if you're not comfortable with fast-paced workplaces or tight deadlines.
See whether the accounting firm's goals and culture are a good fit for you. Looking at the company's website is an excellent way to investigate its values.
Think about the office setting as well: Do employees tend to work on projects independently, or is there a major emphasis on teamwork at this organization?
Find out if there are any in-house training programs. Is internal promotion possible, or will you have to go outside the company for better opportunities? Inquire about mentoring programs as well; they can help you learn the ropes and make connections in your industry.
Applying for Accounting Analyst Jobs
The application process for accounting analyst jobs usually entails submitting a resume and cover letter online. The next step is to schedule an initial screening interview, either over the phone or by video chat.
It's important to clearly list your skills as a financial analyst on your application. Some key skills to list are:
- financial analysis
- attention to detail
- problem-solving
- data analysis
- communication
- time management
- technical proficiency
- critical thinking
- knowledge of accounting principles
- collaboration
Prepare the Application
Take note of any required credentials and abilities listed in the job description, such as the ability to analyze financial data, handle data effectively, and be proficient with accounting software. To make your application stand out, focus on these particular abilities and describe how you've used them in past jobs; this will show that you're a good fit for the position.
Be sure to follow any particular guidelines given by the company. For example, you may need to send your resume in a specified format, submit a cover letter, or answer specific questions.
Your value to a company might skyrocket if you possess credentials like Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA), so make sure to list any you have. These certifications show your dedication to your career and your expertise in financial analysis and management.
Create a Resume
Software programs called applicant tracking systems (ATS) help employers maintain and sort through resumes by looking for certain keywords and other pertinent information. To improve your chances of getting your resume into the hands of hiring managers, you should tailor your resume using these resume keywords:
- accounting
- financial analysis
- account reconciliation
- financial reporting
- internal controls
- auditing
- journal entries
- tax
- internal audit
- bank reconciliation
The resumes you submit for accounting analyst jobs should include distinct parts outlining your relevant experience, education, and abilities. For those with extensive accounting experience, a chronological resume is the way to go. Those with gaps in their employment history might benefit more from a functional resume that emphasizes skills and accomplishments.
One way to highlight your previous work on a resume is to include links to online professional portfolios or relevant reports. This demonstrates your analytical prowess and the real-world impact of your previous work.
You can use Monster's Resume Writing Service to submit a polished resume that's specifically made for accounting analyst jobs. An expert writer will optimize your resume using relevant keywords, industry-specific terminology, and effective formatting techniques.
Write Your Cover Letter
Most accounting analyst jobs require you to submit a cover letter in addition to your resume. This gives you another golden opportunity to showcase your relevant abilities and expertise.
Here are some tips you can use to create an attractive cover letter:
- Align your qualifications with the job description.
- Include quantifiable achievements from previous roles.
- Mention software proficiency to emphasize your experience with accounting tools.
- Briefly discuss your knowledge of industry trends and regulations.
Submit Your Application
Once you've completed your full application for an accounting analyst job, submit it easily by signing up for a Monster account. You'll have access to built-in formatting and proofreading tools, receive a free resume review, and get job listings that match your profile.
Application Follow-Up
When you apply for a job, it's a good idea to send a follow-up message after about a week to show that you're interested in the role. This will also remind the hiring managers that you applied.
In most cases, the job description will include the recruiting manager's email address. Call the company's human resources office if you don't see it.
Follow these tips when submitting your follow-up message:
- Reference the job title.
- Express continued interest.
- Include a relevant achievement.
- Ask about the timeline of the hiring process.
- Be concise and professional.
Interview Advice for Accounting Analyst Jobs
You'll likely go through a screening interview, followed by one or two in-depth interviews with recruiting managers and team members. This multi-stage process makes it easier for hiring managers to get a better sense of your problem-solving talents, cultural fit, and technical proficiency.
Before the Interview
Study up on the company's history, goals, and financial results before your first interview. Also, make sure you're well-versed in generally accepted accounting concepts and ready to talk about your relevant work experience.
To ace a panel interview, you need to think like an interviewer and practice answering their questions in a way that is both succinct and clear. Panel interviews are vital to seeing how well you work with stakeholders.
During the Interview
Interviews may take several forms. You should anticipate behavioral interviews that center on your prior work experience and competency interviews that test your accounting expertise.
Basic questions that you can expect to answer during interviews for accounting analyst jobs are:
- What is the best way to look for unusual or trending information in financial statements?
- Give an example of a moment when you noticed an issue in a budget. How did you go about fixing it?
- Talk about the accounting software you are most comfortable with and how you have used it in the past.
- When you're closing out a month or a year, how do you prioritize your work and stay on top of tight deadlines?
- Tell us about your background in financial planning and forecasting.
- How do you verify that your financial analyses are accurate?
- How would you explain complicated financial data to those who aren't experts in the field?
Some interviews may include technical exams designed to evaluate your knowledge of accounting concepts, financial analysis, Excel, and other data manipulation tools. You might also have to do case studies or take scenario-based exams that test your analytical and problem-solving abilities.
You can use these tips to prepare for scenario-based exams:
- Review key accounting principles.
- Practice problem-solving with real-world case studies.
- Brush up on your Excel skills.
- Understand common financial ratios and their interpretations.
- Familiarize yourself with budgeting and forecasting techniques.
- Time yourself while practicing.
- Study past financial scenarios relevant to the employer's industry of operation.
After the Interview
It's smart to follow up after an interview with a follow-up call or email to show how interested you are in the role and demonstrate professionalism. A considerate follow-up also gives you the chance to answer any questions or address any issues that came up during the interview.
A customized thank-you note to each interviewer that draws attention to your credentials is a great way to follow up. Sharing an article or resource that's pertinent to the company's objectives is another way to demonstrate your proactive nature in making a positive impact on their performance.
Responding to Job Offers
Take into consideration the compensation and benefits package when evaluating a job offer. Make sure it matches your financial expectations and industry norms. Also, take time to understand the benefits package as a whole, including things like requirements for carrying over unused sick days.
Think about your personal preferences and demands in relation to work-life balance and how the company's offerings, such as remote work and flexible hours, compare. If you want to be sure your employer is investing in your professional development, look into their training programs and if they help you get certifications like CPA or CMA.
Consider your own views about the company's culture and principles; this may have a major impact on your level of job satisfaction. To minimize any misalignments, review the job offer thoroughly to make sure the duties and expectations coincide with your talents and career aspirations.
Career Paths for Accounting Analysts
Many accounting analysts climb the corporate ladder to senior financial analyst or cost accounting manager roles as they acquire expertise and take on more responsibility for financial planning and supervision. If you wish to focus on internal financial processes instead of outward financial reporting, choose financial accounting.
Moving into a financial analyst role is another popular career path. In this capacity, your primary responsibilities include evaluating your employer's financial health and investment possibilities. A more in-depth familiarity with financial modeling and market research is often necessary for this position.
The position of financial controller or director of finance offers further opportunities for growth since it entails supervising all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, and compliance. If you want a more concentrated career, forensic accounting and tax analyst career paths provide the chance to specialize.
Related Professions
Check out these other jobs similar to an accounting analyst as you explore financial careers: