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What is a general accountant and how to become one
General accountants are experts in analyzing and preparing financial documents and reports, such as tax returns, income statements, and balance sheets. They keep track of money coming in and going out. They may work for companies or individuals to ensure that taxes are paid accurately and on time.
Key responsibilities and duties include supervising all regular accounting processes, organizing all financial programs, analyzing and forecasting financial requirements for organization or individual, assisting departments in account reconciliation process, administering all bank transactions, developing budgetary plans, collating bank statements, and evaluating current method and processes. General accountants must have strong mathematical and analytical skills. They also need excellent communication skills, be organized, and have computer skills.
Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree in accounting. Although, many businesses prefer applicants to have a master's degree or other certifications such as ACCA, CFA, etc. The average hourly salary for this profession is $26.83, which amounts to $55,812 annually. The career is likely to experience growth in the coming years and create more opportunities across the United States.
What general advice would you give to a General Accountant?
Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Most of the above remains true so the only open question is job availability. It would be unrealistic to say things are great. However, it seems that job prospects for accounting majors will be better than for those of virtually every other entry-level profession during difficult times. I have been speaking with firm leaders across the spectrum of firms and most do intend to be on campus in the fall recruiting season. Of course, they have a lot of time to learn more about the economy over the next few months, but we are cautiously optimistic. Again, I am confident that whatever the state of job availability for young CPAs-to-be, prospects will be better for accounting graduates than virtually any other profession.
They will be entering the profession at a fascinating moment in time. Of course, the technological advances assure this regardless of economic conditions. However, there are business disruption-related issues that will provide rich opportunities for making a difference. For example, audit staff will be working with clients to see them through these troubling times. Lamentably, I fear that these young professionals will learn more about the going concern determination than they desire to know. Tax staff will help clients to optimally use the tax loss carrybacks and carryforwards that are arising by the day. Entry level professionals in corporate accounting will get a day-to-day front row seat in business management through crisis. While lamentable times, these are times when young professionals can make a difference that saves jobs.
Avg. Salary $55,043
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 6%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%
Asian 13.74%
Black or African American 8.72%
Hispanic or Latino 11.06%
Unknown 3.97%
White 62.06%
Genderfemale 56.92%
male 43.08%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is good
6.4 - fair
General Accountant career paths
Key steps to become a general accountant
Explore general accountant education requirements
Start to develop specific general accountant skills
Skills 
Percentages Financial Data 11.38% Reconciliations 9.77% Cash Handling 9.01% Vendor Invoices 6.05% General Ledger Accounts 5.85% Complete relevant general accountant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New general accountants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a general accountant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real general accountant resumes.Research general accountant duties and responsibilities
- Manage payroll functions, financial statements, accounts payable, basic job cost, account analysis, accruals, year-end audits.
- Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
- Assist manager with cash flow, preparing financial statement, BBC, and report to CPA.
- Create budget at beginning and coordinate CPA firm's audit at the end of year.
Prepare your general accountant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your general accountant resume.
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Apply for general accountant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a general accountant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average general accountant salary
The average General Accountant salary in the United States is $55,043 per year or $26 per hour. General accountant salaries range between $40,000 and $73,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do general accountants rate their job?
General Accountant reviews
all finance transactions preparing finance reporting and presenting the yearly report to the managers
I don't like to work as a nonprofessional accountant
Reporting to a CPA Controller or CFO, always learning and not micromanaged. Treated as a professional always.
Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules... generally common in small companies.
It's an office job.
Everything else. Too much anxiety, debts, low sallary (€700/month).
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Updated January 8, 2025
