Certified Public Accountant Careers

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

TITLE:                       Senior Accountant

CLASSIFICATION:  Full-time

REPORTS TO:           Managers, Principals and/or Partners

 
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Senior accountants can perform most engagements with little supervision.  They direct and review the work of staff accountants and are capable of making decisions on most accounting, tax, and auditing matters.  When unusual situations arise, they present the pertinent information to the manager or partner and follow their advice.

 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
 

1. Know and understand the firm’s policies and procedures.
2. Possess technical knowledge sufficient to supervise staff accountants.
3. Begin acquiring the skills necessary to develop quality client relationships and loyalty.
4. Begin developing a command of pertinent IRC sections and regulations.
5. Become proficient at tax and accounting research including a knowledge of the reference sources available to the firm.
6. Possess a working knowledge of firm technology, including the use of CD-ROM, e-mail, and the Internet; and the use of firm spreadsheet, word processing, tax preparation, and time and billing software.
7. Evaluate the performance of staff accountants as requested.
8. Assume responsibility for the supervision of tax return preparation engagements.
9. Plan, coordinate, and supervise the various phases of an audit engagement.
10. Begin to demonstrate an ability to obtain clients.

 
OTHER FUNCTIONS
 

11.       Perform other duties as assigned from time to time by the managers, principal or partners.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
 

12.       Involves work in the firm’s office or on the client’s premises.  Work on the client’s premises may    require the use of the senior accountant’s personal car.

13.       Moderate to low overtime required throughout the year.  High level of overtime may be required to complete specific audit and/or tax engagements.

 
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
 

14.       Senior accountants normally have a minimum of three to five years’ experience as a staff accountant (or             equivalent experience as deemed appropriate by the partners).

 
REQUIRED EDUCATION
 

15.       Senior accountants must have at least a college undergraduate degree and have completed at least 30             hours in college-level accounting courses.

REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

16.       Senior accountants normally would be certified public accountants.