Are you searching for top accounting jobs? Are you a manager looking to attract the best people in the accounting and finance field? Are you curious about the typical starting finance and accounting salaries for 2025?
With 96% of hiring managers who responded to a recent Robert Half survey indicating they either planned to hire for both new and vacated positions (65%) or only vacated positons (31%) in the first half of 2025, there are ample opportunities for job seekers in the finance and accounting field.The Salary Guide From Robert Half provides starting salary ranges for finance and accounting positions in the United States, from corporate and industry accounting to public accounting, financial services and healthcare. It can also help you calculate salaries based on your city or region.In addition, the Salary Guide will give you findings on hiring trends, options for entry-level workers and remote work. There’s data on industries that are leading the way in hiring in the U.S., along with lists of sought-after soft skills, top certifications and degrees, and hottest jobs in finance and accounting. Keep in mind that bonuses, incentives and benefits are not included in the projections for finance and accounting salaries.Take a look at these 10 accounting jobs and finance positions—in no particular order—and a description of their typical duties.
A Look at 10 Finance and Accounting Jobs, With Summaries of Duties
When it comes to supervising the accounting and financial reporting functions of a company while ensuring its compliance with regulations, corporate controllers are the go-to personnel. Successful candidates usually have either a CPA, CGMA or CMA, and many have a master’s degree in business administration with several years of work experience under their belts.Typical duties: Managing accounts payable/accounts receivable, payroll and financial reporting transactions; performing analysis on financial results, trends, costs and budgets; preparing forecast reports for income, expenses and earnings; ensuring that accounting activities are in compliance with GAAP and, if needed, IFRS; preparing tax schedules and returns and ensuring that corporate income tax compliance is accurate; and creating procedures to make the close and reporting processes more efficient and accurate.
See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for corporate controllers.
2. Property accountant
Property accountants are needed to manage the full monthly accounting cycle. Companies look for detail-oriented candidates with proven problem-solving abilities and a knowledge of property management issues. A proven ability to meet deadlines is essential.Typical duties: Preparing complex journal entries and account reconciliations; preparing monthly balance sheet and income statement analyses for management reporting; assisting in the month-, quarter- and year-end closing processes; assisting in the implementation, maintenance and adherence to internal controls under Sarbanes-Oxley and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with GAAP; and analyzing and coordinating a variety of financial data and reporting it in a clear, useful manner.
See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for property accountants.
3. Accounting manager, general accounting
Organizations need accounting managers to coordinate the daily operations of accounting departments and deliver accurate financial data for regulatory reporting and for leadership to use in making high-level decisions.
Typical duties: Preparing and/or reviewing appropriate ledger entries and reconciliations; maintaining the general ledger system; preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements; assisting with regulatory reporting; researching accounting issues for compliance with GAAP; coordinating the budget process; and hiring, training and supervising accounting staff.
See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for accounting managers, general accounting.
4. Senior accountant, general accounting
Companies are seeking well-rounded senior-level accountants who can prepare financial statements and budgets, assess internal controls, and conduct risk assessments.Typical duties: Reconciling sub-ledger to general ledger account balances; preparing financial statements; assessing internal controls, including risk assessments and reviews of risk areas; assisting with budget preparation and preparing the monthly budget variance analyses; maintaining and reconciling fixed assets schedules; assisting with initial internal control evaluations; supervising accounting staff.See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for senior accountants, general accounting.
5. Staff accountant, general accounting
Organizations are bolstering their ability to realize company-wide goals by adding analytics-savvy staff accountants to finance departments.Typical duties: Reviewing general ledger accounts and preparing and adjusting journal entries; performing account analysis and reconciliation, including bank statements and intercompany general ledger accounts; maintaining general ledger chart of accounts; assisting with initial internal control evaluations; and posting monthly, quarterly and yearly accruals.See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for staff accountants, general accounting.
Companies need senior cost accountants to oversee costs related to day-to-day operations and continually review costs related to all aspects of business operations, identifying areas where costs can be reduced when applicable.Typical duties: Analyzing manufacturing operations; analyzing manufacturing equipment availability and utilization; performing month-end cost accounting close; maintaining cost accounting system and cost ledger; performing life cycle cost-benefit analysis; and analyzing inventory valuations.See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for senior cost accountants.
8. Billing specialist
Billing specialists are needed to manage the process of billing, from sending invoices to, monitoring transactions to confirming that accounts are paid in full.Typical duties: Processing bills, including verifying the accuracy of billing information; preparing journal entries of adjustments to billings; and communicating with customers regarding billing adjustments.See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for billing specialists.
Big data is a big deal. As finance departments move from a reporting-focused function to a more analytics-centric one, firms need experienced senior business analysts to make sense of data and offer sound strategic recommendations.Typical duties: Assisting with implementation and support of business information systems across multiple departments; conducting market analysis and analyzing product lines and the overall profitability of the business; developing and sharing reports that enable advertising, customer.
See starting salary ranges and learn more about the job description for senior business analysts.
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