Accounting Associate Job Description Sample

Accounting Associates play the role of being a support to senior financial auditors and accountants by performing tasks related to Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash Management, etc.  These processionals use financial data to carryout key accounting and bookkeeping work.

(This is a sample Accounting Associate Job Description provided for use in job portals and employment websites. A well written job description can help you attract the right talent into your open position.)

Accounting Associate job brief

We are currently looking for an experienced and reliable Accounting Associate to join our team based in X locality. As an employee of our company, you will be expected to assist with all aspects of finance and accounting. If you are keen on building a strong career in Accounting and joining a fast growing company, we suggest you apply right away.

(You job brief should give a persuasive summary of the everyday accounting roles involved as part of being your employee. You can also give a hint on the perks and opportunities for career growth that one can expect in your organisation)

Accounting Associate responsibilities

• Manage money with investment brokers and financial institutions
• Supervise sources of expenses and income
• Maintain communication with managers and other employees regarding handling of accounting issues
• Maintain payable accounts and receivable ledgers
• Collect and assemble accounts of employee expense, salary etc
• Provide assessments on payment applications
• Carryout out the appropriate data entry required for accounting reports according to the guidelines provided
• Participate in the preparation of invoices, vouchers etc
• Prepare reports in response to orders made by management
• Check and validate accounting data for accuracy

(Add or remove responsibilities according to your hiring needs. To attract the right talent, give a clear outline of the day-to-day responsibilities involved.)

Educational requirements and qualification

Most employers prefer hiring candidates who have at least a basic degree in accounting or finance connected fields - holding a Master's degree in Accounting paves way for lucrative salaries. Other requirements include proficiency in MS Office Suite, Excel and common accounting tools.

Accounting Associate skills

• Should have a keen eye for detail
• Must be meticulous and have an obsession for numbers
• Must be computer savvy (to be able to use all those productivity tools)
• Top-notch communication skills
• A trustworthy employee who can maintain confidentiality
• Excellent presentation skills (helps in presenting those accounting reports in front of an audience)

Must be a strong team player

(Give a summary of the skills required for the position. You may also list down the soft skills and personality traits that you are looking for in the ideal candidate. )

Salary

On average, Accounting Associates make $43,327 per year (According to payscale.com).

The good

• Accounting Associates can expect attractive salaries and perks (owing to the challenging nature of the job)
• It is a respected profession (you are seen as a valuable employee)
• Plenty of work opportunities (Almost all leading firms have their own accounts departments)

The bad

• May not be suitable for extroverts (a lot of number crunching and lonely time is involved)
• Lack of flexibility (as you are a key resource in the organisation)
• Can be stressful (especially when you are facing financial deadlines)

Career outlook and work environment

 According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), work opportunities in this fied are expected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024. Accountants usually work in regular 9-5 jobs. Working overtime is required at times, especially when you are required to submit reports during budget and tax seasons of the year.