OVERVIEW
What is an Accounting Manager?
Accounting managers guide the operations of a company’s accounting department. Delegating tasks when necessary to individual accountants, accounting managers oversee tax filing, budgeting, financial management, financial reporting, and other department responsibilities.
Accounting managers are often referred to by a variety of different job titles. Depending on your job description or your work environment, you might be known as a budget manager, finance manager, payroll manager, tax manager, or other titles.
The role of an accounting manager is a specialized career option, often requiring both an undergraduate and a master’s degree. In addition, aspiring accounting managers often need a few years of experience to be eligible for hire. You may also need to earn a CPA license or obtain other relevant certifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Accounting Manager Do?
Accounting managers ensure that accounts, and entire accounting departments, implement financial best practices. On some days, accounting managers may spend extended periods auditing a company’s budgets. On other days, accounting managers will handle various aspects of a company’s payroll and budgeting across departments.
The exact responsibilities of an accounting manager can include:
- Overseeing an accounting department’s daily operations
- Auditing company budgets and spending habits to explore further opportunities for improved financial management practices
- Creating user-friendly financial reports that allow company executives to draw conclusions about their company’s financial habits
- Familiarizing members of the accounting department with any new policies
- Ensuring that all members of an accounting department operate with correct financial procedures
- Comparing corporate month-over-month and year-over-year spending habits, to identify and learn from long-term financial patterns
These and other responsibilities allow accounting managers to oversee the performance of an accounting department, whether they’re auditing corporate spending practices or preparing tax documents.
What Certifications Does an Accounting Manager Need?
In addition to any educational requirements, accounting managers often need to obtain one or more accounting certifications. Employers may require that accounting managers pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The CPA means you are licensed and have the ability to do certain types of accounting work as a certified professional. Many organizations will require a CPA in order to move into management positions, because the work you need to do requires that additional license.
Where Do Accounting Managers Work?
Accounting managers can work in several locations, depending on the preferences of their employer. They will most commonly work closely with the other members of their accounting department, making it easier to ensure efficient operations.
As an accounting manager, one might work in roles within:
- Public companies
- Private companies
- Government organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
Technically, an accounting manager can work anywhere with a developed accounting department where they maintain various decision-making responsibilities.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does an Accounting Manager Need?
Before you can begin a career as an accounting manager, you’ll need to complete educational requirements that prepare you for a career in finance. Accounting managers need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a bachelor's degree in finance. These degree programs teaches skills in statistics, budgeting, probability, economics, and other core competencies.
You will likely also need to obtain a Master of Science in Accounting degree in order to progress into management positions. This will enhance your understanding of accounting, improving your knowledge of fields like tax concepts, auditing, and financial management. These skills help support your future career in account management, whether you’re optimizing budgets or identifying opportunities to reduce corporate spending. If you need a CPA certification, a master’s degree will be a key element in preparing you to sit for the rigorous exams.
Best Degrees for a Accounting Managers
Business
Accounting – B.S. Business Administration
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Financial Statements
- Communication
- Detail Oriented
- Research
Take your first step toward CPA certification and learn how to use GAAP, ledgers, and journals.
Business
Finance – B.S.
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant...
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant industry skills.
- Time: 62% of graduates finish similar programs within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,575 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Management
- Accounting
- Finance
- Spreadsheets
- Financial Analysis
- Problem Solving
The competency-based model at WGU allows you to move as quickly as you can master the material, and do your coursework on your schedule. Flexibility is key with the B.S. in finance at WGU.
Business
Accounting – M.S.
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private...
Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private accounting positions:
- Time: 62% of grads finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will prepare you for:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Tax Planning
- Financial Management
- Online Communication
- Research
This MAcc program is designed to prepare you for the CPA exam and also the CMA or CIA exams.
How Much Does an Accounting Manager Make?
$78,528
The exact income of an accounting manager can vary based on a variety of factors, including their employer, employer’s location, years of experience, education, and active certifications. On average, the salary of an accounting manager is $78,528, with an estimated range of $60,000 to $109,000.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
4%
Accounting managers are expected to see a favorable job outlook over the next decade. From 2019 to 2029, employment for accountants and auditors alike is expected to grow by 4%. This forecasted growth rate is roughly the same as the average across all occupations.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Accounting Manager Need?
Accounting managers depend on well-developed skill sets to oversee day-to-day accounting department operations. These skills will enable you to implement policies that promote the efficient use of company finances, while managing all accounting staff members.
The exact skills that an accounting managers needs can include:
- Financial management. The ability to manage the financial aspects of a company’s operations.
- Financial consulting. The ability to inform company executives on improved spending and financial habits.
- Auditing. The ability to thoroughly examine a company’s financial history, identifying opportunities for more efficient operations, and ensuring continued policy compliance.
- Risk management: The ability to protect against potential financial risks and mitigate threats to accounting ethics or operations before they materialize.
- Investment: The ability to intelligently invest financial assets in ways that yield sufficient returns.
- Budgeting: The ability to create, implement, and optimize department budgets that equip employees with all necessary tools for success, without promoting any inefficient spending practices.
- Data analysis/reporting: The ability to gather, assess, and report on data in ways that allow executives to learn from patterns in financial operations.
- Interpersonal communication: The ability to correspond well with other members of a company’s accounting department, in addition to other company representatives and executives.
- Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems in a company’s financial habits or history.
These and other skills help accounting managers guide financial departments toward sustained success.
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