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Accountant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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An 261781681accountant27.14bookkeeper7.64accounting6.48accounts5.4management accountant5.2420632422720611000.0038207.7580000.00YEARLY682259472025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Accountant, or Chartered Accountant, is an individual who handles financial records for private clients, governments or organisations. They prepare financial statements, administer and audit accounts and prepare tax returns. The Accountant also tracks the financial health of the organisation or client and takes action to correct issues to prevent financial calamity.

Accountant duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of an Accountant can be broad or narrow depending on the requirements for the position. An Accountant may be required to perform all possible accounting duties, or they may be focused on a particular aspect such as auditing and reconciliation or taxation issues. As part of their duties and responsibilities, Accountants take charge of the following:

  • Oversee the ongoing maintenance of accounts
  • Ensure payroll is accurate and records are maintained
  • Support management in the accurate production of budgets
  • Reconcile accounts including receivable and payable
  • Ensure cashflow is utilized properly and protect reserves
  • Audit financial information for inconsistencies
  • Provide tax planning strategies in accordance with existing legislation
  • Create financial forecasts and analyse risk

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Accountant Job Description Examples:

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Create a culture of innovation
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What does an 261781681accountant27.14bookkeeper7.64accounting6.48accounts5.4management accountant5.2420632422720611000.0038207.7580000.00YEARLY682259472025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Accountant do?

An Accountant takes control of the financial accounts of their employer or client for the purposes of maintaining financial stability. The Accountant is enabled to make financial decisions when necessary that include authorizing payment or moving money from one account to another. When an Accountant determines there is a problem with an account or other financial record, they bring it to the attention of a Senior Accountant or Manager. The Accountant works as part of a team to ensure their work is correct and help other Accountants in turn.

Accountant skills and qualifications

A successful Accountant candidate possesses various skills and qualifications that are necessary to perform their duties. They include:

  • Ability to work well in a team environment
  • Interest and acumen in how a business functions
  • Application of proven methods to common and uncommon accounting problems
  • Ability to review one’s own work and find and correct any mistakes
  • Understanding of the overall impact of their financial decisions
  • Proficiency with accounting software
  • Strong analytical skills

Accountant experience requirements

An ideal 261781681accountant27.14bookkeeper7.64accounting6.48accounts5.4management accountant5.2420632422720611000.0038207.7580000.00YEARLY682259472025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Accountant candidate has experience that meets the needs of the organisation. Average experience requirements for an Accountant include prior employment in a similar role and handling of common accounting duties. The Accountant is capable of recording financial information in the correct files or books, reading and reconciling balance sheets and maintaining confidentiality at all times. Ideal candidates also have experience with establishing and maintaining budgets.

Accountant education and training requirements

An Accountant needs, at the very minimum, a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting accredited by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or a Foundations in Accountancy accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). In the event the organisation is in search of an apprentice Accountant, the qualified candidate should possess one or both of the certifications. Advanced education for an Accountant includes the Associate Chartered Accountant and Chartered Institute of Management Accountant.

Accountant salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Accountant is £34,069 per year

Job description samples for similar positions

Other job descriptions for similar positions are available if this job description for an 261781681accountant27.14bookkeeper7.64accounting6.48accounts5.4management accountant5.2420632422720611000.0038207.7580000.00YEARLY682259472025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Accountant is not quite what you’re looking for.

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Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

Accountant job description FAQs

Two chefs, one wearing a red headband, review a laptop and take notes at a wooden table in a kitchen setting.

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Job Description Examples

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