What does a Senior Accountant do?
A Senior Accountant usually handles a team of Accountants and Junior Accountants within a company. Senior Accountants usually work within a larger finance department. They organise and delegate financial tasks to other team members within their remit. A Senior Accountant’s main task is to to keep financial records up to date and ensure accurate application of a company’s monetary policies.
On a day-to-day basis, a Senior Accountant also compiles financial reports, provides analysis and offers financial advice to senior members of the company. Senior Accountants may also be required to work closely with clients, providing expert financial advice or accounting recommendations depending on the type of employment. They lead by example to ensure the financial security of the business.
Senior Accountant skills and qualifications
Senior Accountants require leadership skills as well as practical mathematical and accounting knowledge and need to have accounting qualifications. They have a strong eye for detail and the confidence to deal with senior management and clients. A successful Senior Accountant candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications need to succeed in the role, these include:
- Strong skills working with spreadsheets such as Excel
- Ability to work with accounting software such as QuickBooks
- Ability to present complex accounting information in an easy to understand format
- Excellent arithmetic and mathematical skills
- Ability to delegate tasks
- Leadership skills and the ability to motivate a team to produce results
- Excellent customer service and client satisfaction skills
Senior Accountant experience requirements
A Senior Accountant needs a minimum of five years’ prior experience working in an accounting role. A successful candidate must have worked as an Accountant Technician or Bookkeeper and be familiar with accounting procedures. Experience leading a small team and liaising with senior members of a company, particularly a Chief Financial Officer, is beneficial. Experience overseeing tasks and organising a department is also a plus.
Senior Accountant education and training requirements
Senior Accountants have a strong base in mathematics. Formal accounting certificates demonstrate that a candidate has the knowledge and skill base to succeed in the role. Advanced certifications in Microsoft Office are also desirable.
A Senior Accountant must have strong GCSE and A-Level results, particularly in maths. Apprenticeships can offer the training and qualifications necessary to qualify as an accountant, before the candidate works their way up to the Senior Accountant role. Commonly, candidates will study for a degree in maths, economics or accounting at a university. Candidates can earn specific accountancy qualifications from reputed organisations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Senior Accountant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Senior Accountant is £33,947 per year. Compensation may be dependent on experience, location and company.
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