What Does An Accounting Supervisor Do?
Learn about the duties and responsibilities of an accounting supervisor. Review the requirements for this job, and check out the potential for salary and job growth.
Accounting supervisors play a key role in managing financial teams and ensuring that day-to-day accounting operations run smoothly. They typically oversee staff accountants, review financial reports, and help maintain accuracy and compliance within an organization’s financial processes.
This position often serves as a bridge between entry-level staff and upper management, combining technical accounting knowledge with leadership responsibilities. Understanding how to become an accountant in this field can help you determine whether this role aligns with your experience and career goals.
Career Overview
Accounting supervisors oversee accountants and fiscal officers. They also ensure the security and proper handling of financial business transactions. Read on to find out about the specific duties and responsibilities, qualifications, and salary statistics of accounting supervisors.
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Important Facts About This Occupation
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 6% (for all accountants and auditors) |
| Professional Certification | May need to pass national Certified Public Accountant exam and meet state requirements |
| Key Skills | Mathematical analysis, organizational, detail-oriented |
| Similar Occupations | Financial analyst, tax examiner |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Duties and Responsibilities
As an accounting supervisor, you would oversee and coordinate the staff of an accounting office or financial operations unit. You would provide leadership in various accounting and fiscal procedures, ensuring that they are performed correctly and that funds are managed according to the organization's goals and objectives. You would also be in charge of interviewing, hiring, and training new employees as well as performing periodic performance evaluations and administering disciplinary actions as necessary. Preparing the work schedules and processing leave requests is another important administrative aspect of the position.
In addition to carrying out supervisory tasks, an accounting supervisor performs professional accounting functions, such as preparing financial statements, developing budgets, and processing audit reports. On a regular basis, supervisors are expected to perform account-budget analyses and report your findings to your superiors. Accounts-payable and accounts-receivable tasks also fall under your job duties, including management of invoices, cash receipts, and interdepartmental transfers.
Occupational Qualifications
Most accounting supervisor positions require an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field featuring extensive accounting coursework. Many positions also require you to have previous experience as an accountant, fiscal technician, or other similar accounting position. Employers may also prefer that you have experience in a supervisory position involving hiring, firing, training, and work delegation.
Salary Statistics
According to PayScale.com, most accounting supervisors reported earning $50,000-$93,000 per year in December 2022. These earnings included bonuses and profit sharing. Accounting supervisors with one to four years of experience earned $51,000-$95,000 per year, while those with 20 years of experience or more earned $48,000-$78,000 per year.
