What is an inventory accountant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.

An inventory accountant is in charge of overseeing and managing the costs involving a company's inventory operations. It is their duty to monitor transactions, update general ledgers, gather and analyze data, perform audits and assessments, and produce regular inventory reports. They must also observe and be alert for any inconsistencies and discrepancies, dealing with them according to the policies and regulations. Moreover, an inventory accountant must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What general advice would you give to an Inventory Accountant?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.Stephen Moehrle Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis

It was a great time to be entering the accounting industry, before the pandemic. Our students were serving in internships in huge numbers and our graduates were enjoying 100% placement, usually with multiple offers. The entry-level professionals were entering a profession marked by emerging and evolving technologies that made even the entry-level duties especially interesting. Further, our tech-comfortable young professionals were experiencing quick advancement because of their ability to employ the new technologies.

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.
ScoreInventory AccountantUS Average
Salary
4.6

Avg. Salary $59,285

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.4

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 12.10%

Black or African American 8.86%

Hispanic or Latino 11.21%

Unknown 3.97%

White 63.39%

Gender

female 49.38%

male 50.62%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.7

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Inventory Accountant career paths

Key steps to become an inventory accountant

  1. Explore inventory accountant education requirements

    Most common inventory accountant degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.3 %

    Associate

    13.1 %

    Master's

    9.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific inventory accountant skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Reconciliations11.41%
    Financial Statements4.14%
    External Auditors4.12%
    Internal Controls4.06%
    Account Reconciliations4.06%
  3. Complete relevant inventory accountant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New inventory 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 an inventory accountant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real inventory accountant resumes.
  4. Research inventory accountant duties and responsibilities

    • Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
    • Collaborate with external CPA firm in recording accumulate amortization/depreciation and extend tax returns.
    • Provide monthly consignment inventory balances to customers, roll-forward reports and reconciliations for goods in transit.
    • Perform both wire and ACH transfers on a weekly basis.
  5. Prepare your inventory accountant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your inventory accountant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an inventory accountant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Inventory Accountant Resume templates

    Build a professional Inventory Accountant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Inventory Accountant resume.
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
    Inventory Accountant Resume
  6. Apply for inventory accountant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an inventory accountant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Inventory Accountant Job

Zippi

Are you an Inventory Accountant?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average inventory accountant salary

The average Inventory Accountant salary in the United States is $59,285 per year or $29 per hour. Inventory accountant salaries range between $46,000 and $76,000 per year.

Average Inventory Accountant Salary
$59,285 Yearly
$28.50 hourly

What Am I Worth?

Loading...
Loading...
salary-calculator

How do inventory accountants rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Inventory Accountant reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules... generally common in small companies.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

It's an office job.

Cons

Everything else. Too much anxiety, debts, low sallary (€700/month).


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I like when the numbers fall in to place. I enjoy helping clients reach their financial goals. I am great with client consultations. I appreciate the chance to help plan for a client's needs.

Cons

I dislike situations where no planning had been done. I am bothered when a client has an accounting problem that could have been avoided by proper planning.


Working as an Inventory Accountant? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse business and financial jobs