What does a Staff Accountant do?
Staff Accountants usually work within the finance department of an organisation and with basic accounting tasks. They process payments, record financial details, maintain the cash flow and ensure that all transactions are validated. They also work with the accounting team to resolve all financial matters on time, according to regulations and policies.
Staff Accountants may deal directly with clients, service users or suppliers to help resolve issues arising from late or missing payments, process refunds and change or confirm account details.
Staff Accountant skills and qualifications
Staff Accountants need excellent arithmetic skills. They are usually computer literate, and they follow set processes accurately. Staff Accountants are also well organised. They can prioritise their workloads effectively and work within tight deadlines such as payment due dates and payroll schedules. A successful Staff Accountants candidate will have certain prerequisite skills and qualifications that may include:
- A qualification from Associated Chartered Accountant (ACA )or Association of Certified or Chartered Accountant (ACCA)
- Familiarity with accounting software
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Ability to apply principles of accounting in a fast-paced environment
- Accurate analytical skills and attention to detail
- Strong time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Staff Accountant experience requirements
Staff Accountant roles are typically entry-level positions. However, any experience of office work, administration or working within an accounts team is helpful. Experience of managing a budget or basic bookkeeping is beneficial, as is a familiarity with accounting software, databases or customer management systems.
Staff Accountants who have completed vocational training or an accounting apprenticeship may have valuable hands-on experience of working in an accounting role. Other experience requirements vary depending on the position, which may include working with spreadsheets, data entry or customer service.
Staff Accountant education and training requirements
Staff Accountants need GCSEs in Maths and English as a minimum. Usually, candidates who have completed an accountancy apprenticeship have a good understanding of the work involved in being a Staff Accountant, which is a plus. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) offers specific training such as a Level Two Foundation Certificate in Accounting. Similarly, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) offers a course in Foundations in Accountancy. Candidates who have acquired such qualifications may have a better understanding of accounting procedures.
Staff Technician salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Staff Accountant is £35,893 per year. However, the salary may be dependent on experience, location and company policies.
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