What does an Accountant 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 Accountant 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
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