Administrative Accountant: Career and Salary Facts
Explore the career requirements for administrative accountants. Get the facts about job duties, educational requirements, salary and career outlook to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Does an Administrative Accountant Do?
An administrative accountant helps businesses manage and track their financial assets and everyday expenditures. Accountants analyze and prepare financial documents. As an administrative accountant, your job duties may include bookkeeping, budgeting, and other financial and accounting processes. You may do performance evaluations or asset management.
The chart below contains important details about becoming an administrative accountant.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Accounting or finance</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td>Manages financial and accounting processes and filings for an organization</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Other Requirements</b></td><td> CPA credential required for some positions</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 7% (<i>for all accountants and auditors</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $73,560 (<i>for all accountants and auditors</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsAnAdministrativeAccountant">What Is an Administrative Accountant?</h3><p>An accountant is a professional who provides financial services such as preparing tax returns and conducting audits for individuals and organizations. An administrative accountant handles the financial affairs of an organization that affect the organization's operations and decisions. The typical job tasks of an administrative accountant include maintaining, administering and supervising assets, managing payroll, controlling inventory, bookkeeping, budgeting and overseeing tax-related matters.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeed">What Education Do I Need?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to work as an administrative accountant, you must have at least a bachelor's degree, but some employers may require a master's degree (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). An undergraduate degree in accounting or finance, or a master's degree in accounting or business administration with a specialization in accounting, are usually suitable to work as an administrative accountant.
</p><p>A bachelor's degree program in a subject related to the field may cover topics such as cost accounting, auditing and tax accounting. Master's degree program curricula typically include study of subjects such as managerial accounting, controllership, financial reporting and corporate finance.
</p><h3 id="section---WillINeedCertification">Will I Need Certification?</h3><p>There is no general certification required to work as an administrative accountant. However, to file documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission you must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). You must pass an exam to become a CPA.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsMyJobOutlook">What Is My Job Outlook?</h3><p>The BLS predicted that job opportunities for accountants and auditors were expected to increase 7% during the 2020-2030 decade, which is about average growth. Accountants with CPA certification could see the most opportunities, as well as those with a master's degree. As of 2020, according to the BLS, the annual average salary for all accountants and auditors was $81,660.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Financial managers and financial analysts are two similar careers that also require a bachelor's degree. Financial analysts look at trends and evaluate investments to assist clients in making investment opportunities. Financial managers make financial reports for organizations, and direct companies in making good investment and financial choices.</p>