General Ledger Accountant Jobs Overview
General ledger accountants maintain and reconcile general ledgers to guarantee accurate recording of all transactions. In this job, you keep financial records in order and ensure compliance by preparing financial statements, supervising closing operations, and providing help during audits. Most general ledger accountant jobs are in the finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology industries.
General ledger accountants typically perform the following duties:
- conducting month-end closing processes
- following accounting standards
- assisting with budget preparation tasks
- monitoring and improving accounting procedures
The normal workweek for a general ledger accountant is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To avoid missing deadlines, overtime is sometimes necessary toward the end of the month, the end of the year, and during audit periods.
Wondering if there’ll be jobs available for you? The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a promising 6% growth rate for accountants over the next few years.
Salary for General Ledger Accountants
Accountants enjoy a median salary of $77,548 per year, with most earning between $62,159 and $101,907. Having CPA or CA certification can increase your earning potential as a general ledger accountant.
Many cities across the United States have a high demand for general ledger accountants, including:
- New York, NY - $81,407 per year
- Los Angeles, CA - $80,181 per year
- Chicago, IL - $80,120 per year
- Houston, TX - $72,975 per year
- Dallas, TX - $73,946 per year
Your salary will depend on your experience and education. To see how much you can make in your city and others across the nation, use Monster's Salary Tool.
How to Find the Best General Ledger Accountant Jobs for You
Think about what you want out of life professionally, what you value, and what kind of work environment you want before applying for general ledger accountant jobs. It's beneficial to establish clear, realistic professional goals before filling out applications.
General ledger accountants often aspire to become certified public accountants or certified management accountants. You may want to work up to more senior accounting positions or develop expertise in financial reporting. To grow your career and take on additional leadership duties, look for companies that invest in their workers via training, mentorship, or collaboration.
Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you can narrow your job search to options that fit your goals. Asking yourself targeted questions like these might help you narrow your search:
- What type of setting do I prefer (corporate, nonprofit, public accounting)?
- Do I want to work remotely, in an office, or in a hybrid environment?
- What company size fits my skills and goals?
- Do I prefer working independently or with a collaborative team?
- What industries align with my interests and expertise?
- Am I seeking opportunities to specialize in a particular aspect of accounting?
- Do I want a role with frequent interactions with auditors or stakeholders?
- What level of mentorship or support do I need for professional growth?
Another way to discover if a job is right for you is to research companies that interest you. To make sure your beliefs are compatible with theirs, look at the company's regulations, employee evaluations, and mission statement. Evaluate their values of inclusivity, work-life balance, and ethics to see whether they align with your own.
Application Tips for General Ledger Accountant Jobs
Your application should include a customized resume and a personalized cover letter that emphasizes your relevant work experience, certifications, and software skills. To round out the application process, you may have to fill out a form detailing your availability, previous job experience, and skills.
Prepare the Application
Reading the job description thoroughly will help you craft an application that stands out. Key skills and qualifications to mention in your application for general ledger accountant jobs are:
- tax preparation
- auditing
- journal entries
- cash flow management
- internal controls
- data entry accuracy
- variance analysis
- regulatory compliance
- fixed asset accounting
- financial statement analysis
Create a Resume
If you have a strong accounting background, a chronological resume structure would work well for general ledger accountant jobs. A functional resume format works best for highlighting relevant skills if you are changing careers or have gaps in your work history.
Regardless of the format you use, you must tailor your resume content to the job:
- Highlight accounting software proficiency.
- Include examples of reconciliations completed.
- Mention month-end and year-end tasks.
- Quantify accomplishments with measurable results.
- Focus on your attention to detail.
- Showcase your experience with audits or compliance.
Key phrases and concepts relevant to the position that showcase your abilities are known as resume keywords. They are essential for resumes to pass the screening process of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and reach the hiring managers.
Valuable resume keywords for general ledger accountants are:
- account reconciliation
- financial reporting
- month-end close
- financial analysis
- accounts payable/receivable
- CPA certification
- budgeting and forecasting
If you need help crafting a resume that showcases your strongest accounting qualifications, Monster has you covered with our Professional Resume Writing Services. Our talented writers will craft an application highlighting your unique skills, work history, and achievements.
Write Your Cover Letter
Including a cover letter with your application is standard practice for general ledger accountant jobs. A well-written cover letter is a great way to stand out from the crowd of applicants by showcasing your relevant work experience, expressing your excitement about the opportunity, and outlining your qualifications.
To make your cover letter more relevant to the general ledger accountant position, match your experiences and abilities with the exact qualifications listed in the job description. If the employer lists accurate record keeping, highlight your 100% accuracy rate over the last five years with your previous job. Point out how your skills can benefit their accounting department.
Other ways to customize your finance cover letter include:
- addressing the hiring manager by name
- mentioning how the company's values match your own
- referencing the company's recent achievements
- using specific job-related keywords
- showcasing your problem-solving skills
Submit the Application
Before submitting your application, have a friend or co-worker review it. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues by proofreading the application thoroughly.
Submit your application quickly through Monster. You'll enjoy an array of benefits when you sign up for free:
- a free resume review
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- resume-building tool
- network with employers directly
Application Follow-Up
Sending a follow-up email or calling a hiring manager makes a wonderful impression since it demonstrates that you are enthusiastic and proactive. You can get the hiring manager's email or phone number from the job description or the application itself. If you can't find it, contact the employer's HR department.
Tips for Your Follow-Up Message
Send your follow-up message within one to two weeks after applying. This shows the hiring manager that you are serious about wanting the job.
Your follow-up message is the perfect chance to mention your relevant skills and talents, like financial analysis or account reconciliation. You can further tailor your message to the position by:
- mentioning specific software experience
- referencing relevant certifications earned
- expressing enthusiasm for the role
Interview Advice for General Ledger Accountant Jobs
You'll likely go through two or three interviews for general ledger accountant jobs. Your accounting knowledge, work history, and resume will be the primary topics of discussion during the first interview, usually via phone or video.
A more in-depth conversation may occur in the second round when you meet with recruiting managers or department heads. Questions about accounting software and principles and behavioral and situational assessments usually make up this phase of the interview process.
The final interview typically involves meeting with upper-level management and completing different tests to assess your accounting knowledge. You may have to do a practical task like evaluating financial accounts or reconciling financial data.
Before the Interview
Read up on the company's history, principles, and expectations to prepare for the interview. This information lets you tailor your answers and show the interviewer your enthusiasm for the company.
You should review your knowledge of industry rules and competence with standard accounting software. To further showcase your technical competence, rehearse discussing your background in budgeting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Try to verify ahead of time the type of interview you'll have: behavioral- or competency-based. Interviewers do competency-based interviews to assess your analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of accounting principles. You may undergo a behavioral-based interview to gauge your problem-solving abilities and communication skills for collaborating with teams and clients.
During the Interview
For competency-based interviews, show that you're acquainted with ERP systems, month-end closing procedures, and huge data sets, with close attention to detail when reconciling accounts. This demonstrates you can efficiently and accurately handle complicated accounting tasks.
In behavioral-based interviews, you should talk about your experience fixing inconsistencies, working under pressure, and improving financial reporting procedures. This showcases your ability to remain organized and complete tasks within time constraints even during hectic accounting times.
If you have to take any aptitude, financial analysis, and accounting software-related assessments, use these tips to boost your chances of success:
- Practice time management.
- Review accounting principles.
- Analyze sample problems.
- Stay calm under pressure.
Here are some basic questions you can expect to answer during interviews for general ledger accountant jobs:
- How do you handle accounting discrepancies?
- What accounting software are you proficient in?
- How do you prioritize multiple tasks?
- Describe your experience with month-end closing.
- How do you ensure data accuracy?
- Explain a complex accounting issue you resolved.
After the Interview
You'll leave a favorable impression on the interviewer if you send a thank-you message within 24 to 48 hours after the interview. This message should briefly express gratitude for the interview and reiterate your interest in the job.
You can expect to hear back about your general ledger accountant interview within one to two weeks. A courteous follow-up email asking about the application's progress is a good idea if you don't hear anything within that period.
Responding to Job Offers
Accounting job offers can come with perks, including flexible scheduling, possibilities for professional growth, and performance incentives. You can ensure the offer fits with your professional aspirations and personal circumstances by negotiating these parameters.
Key parts of a job offer to review:
- base salary and bonuses
- benefits and health insurance
- paid time-off policies
- work schedule and flexibility
- job responsibilities and expectations
- opportunities for career advancement
- retirement plan and contributions
- work location and commute
- signing bonus or relocation assistance
Career Paths for General Ledger Accountants
Your career as a general ledger accountant can take you to higher-level positions such as controller, senior accountant, or accounting manager. You may also advance into financial director or financial analyst roles and perform financial forecasting, budget management, and strategic financial planning duties.
If the tax side of the financial industry interests you, consider moving into tax accounting or internal auditing. Tax accountants focus on tax planning and preparation while internal auditors look at financial operations and compliance.
Related Professions
Take a look at more options in the financial field beyond general ledger accountant jobs: