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Senior Accountant skills for your resume and career

Q: Is managerial accounting hard?

Yes, managerial accounting is hard. Managerial accounting is a type of accounting that focuses on meeting the needs of internal stakeholders at a business. This type of role can be stressful due to the demands of meeting the needs of various people as well as the business.

Q: What is a controller in accounting?

A controller in accounting is a financial professional that oversees the accounting operations of a firm or company. A controller is an accountant that oversees other accountants at a firm or company. The most common are business controllers and corporate controllers, who handle entire accounting systems for their employers. They may also work for government agencies and small businesses.

Q: What is an account in accounting?

An account in accounting is a record in a general ledger that is used to organize and store different transactions. It is an accurate reflection of all transactions that relate to a specific account or ledger.

Q: What is an encumbrance in accounting?

An encumbrance in accounting is a restriction that is placed on the use of specific funds. This is a concept that is most often used in governmental accounting. Encumbrances are utilized to make sure that there is sufficient money available to pay for particular obligations. Encumbrances have the disadvantage of adding further complexity to accounting in some industries.

Q: What is assurance in accounting?

In accounting, assurance is the process of analyzing financial records. It is used in the assessment of accounting entries and financial records. Assurance is verifying the records available in a company's accounting record as per accounting standards and principles.

Q: What is fair value accounting?

Fair value accounting is an accounting strategy that utilizes current market values as the foundation for identifying certain assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the approximate price at which an asset is sold or bought when the seller and buyer of the asset agree on a specific price.

Q: What is materiality in accounting?

Materiality in accounting is a principle that communicates that all items that are relatively likely to have an impact on an investor's decisions are mandated to be recorded and/or reported in an organization or business' financial statements.

Q: What is the difference between financial and managerial accounting?

The difference between financial and managerial accounting is that financial accounting puts emphasis on an organization's external financial items, while managerial accounting focuses on an organization's internal accounting items.

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Richard Hale,

Thomas King

One of the most important hard skills a senior accountant can possess is creating financial statements, as this is a key duty of the job. It's also important for senior accountants to have the hard skill of managing general ledger accounts.

When it comes to soft skills, senior accountants should have strong attention to detail above all else. Senior accountants need to manage many different responsibilities, so multi-tasking and time management skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for senior accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.7% of senior accountant resumes contained reconciliations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior accountant skills for your resume and career

1. Reconciliations

Here's how senior accountants use reconciliations:

Facilitated and completed monthly close procedures, preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations and preparation of financial statements.
Performed assigned account reconciliations of asset and liability accounts associated with accounts receivable, variance analysis, and month-end close responsibilities.

2. CPA

Here's how senior accountants use cpa:

Switched to Intuit payroll service from CPA firm payroll service, which decrease 50% of expense spent on payroll preparation.
Provide effective liaison between all companies and outside Legal Counsel for contract preparation and outside CPA firm for year-end tax preparation.

3. GAAP

Here's how senior accountants use gaap:

Reviewed various financial activities for reasonableness, accuracy, compliance to internal controls/policies and determination of correct US GAAP accounting treatment.
Completed all statutory filing checklists and GAAP reporting responsibilities in compliance with accounting standards, procedures and insurance regulatory.

4. External Auditors

Here's how senior accountants use external auditors:

Prepared audit schedules and provided internal and external auditors with information to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and quarterly and annual audit requirements.
Empowered successful audit outcomes as key contributor to annual audit by performing overall management and serving as liaison for external auditors

5. Internal Controls

Here's how senior accountants use internal controls:

Implemented and documented effective internal controls for capital expenditure reconciliation to streamline operations and ensure compliance with guidelines such as Sarbanes-Oxley.
Assisted in establishing and monitoring internal controls to identify problem areas and determine the actions required to improve operating program effectiveness.

6. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how senior accountants use payroll:

Ensured accurate payroll of the organization by verifying deductions from wages to provide accurate information for insurance audits.
Calculated reimbursement of expenses related to the management of properties including payroll, benefits, and administrative expenses.

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7. SOX

Here's how senior accountants use sox:

Perform SOX testing and receive final approval for system reports required for management, financial reporting and general ledger reconciliations.
Re-mapped general ledger and implemented scorecard processes to ensure compliance with corporate SOX reporting requirements.

8. Strong Analytical

Here's how senior accountants use strong analytical:

Established strong analytical and technical accounting skills through financial statement analysis.
Demonstrate strong analytical abilities and computer skills.

9. Fixed Assets

Here's how senior accountants use fixed assets:

Fixed Assets Management-Capital Property Accounting/Financial Reporting.
Performed quarterly physical inventory of fixed assets at corporate headquarters, assisted with year-end physical inventory count of medical device pieces.

10. Accruals

Here's how senior accountants use accruals:

Administered all grant-related accounting functions including budgeting, payroll allocations, analysis and review accruals, and financial database system.
Compiled and analyzed financial information to prepare monthly accruals, payroll journal, general journal and bank reconciliations.

11. General Ledger Accounts

A general ledger account is a practice to keep a record of a company's total financial accounts. The accounts included in a general ledger lists the assets, liabilities, owners' equity, expenses, and income or revenue. It forms the basis of reporting a business's financial statements.

Here's how senior accountants use general ledger accounts:

Review detailed analysis of fixed asset general ledger accounts, and forecast depreciation expenditure and reconcile complex fixed asset accounts.
Maintained general ledger accounts for monthly financial statement reporting for the Management Services Organization of Sacred Heart Health System.

12. Balance Sheet Accounts

Here's how senior accountants use balance sheet accounts:

Analyze financial statement results and perform variance analysis/explanations on income and balance sheet accounts according to company policy and practices.
Reconciled subsidiaries perpetual and general ledger inventory balances and prepared major balance sheet accounts analysis and manufacturing variances review.

13. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how senior accountants use erp:

Cost Management - Analyzed and determined product profitability through absorption costing utilizing Visual Manufacturing ERP accounting software.
Collaborated with team to spearhead installation of ERP financial system, improving efficiency and accuracy.

14. Close Process

A close process is the necessary closing steps required to prepare the accounts for recording the transactions of the next period. Its purpose is to reset or close the temporary account balances on the general ledger, and the accounting system for a company's financial data including income statement and accounts payable.

Here's how senior accountants use close process:

Prepared, reviewed and updated monthly general ledger close processes including analysis and commentary presented to senior management.
Prepare consolidating and eliminating journal entries for monthly close process, including inter-company accounts and investments in subsidiaries.

15. Process Improvement

Here's how senior accountants use process improvement:

Assisted with preparation of consolidated financial statements, review of SEC filings, financial reporting process improvements and assigned special projects.
Implemented several new process improvement procedures which have facilitated improved communication between departments & increased turnaround time in journal entry preparation.

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What skills help Senior Accountants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Senior Accountant resumes?

Dr. Richard Hale

Associate Professor of Accounting, Berea College

When we meet with practitioners, the most commonly requested skills are:
-The ability to think critically about situations
-Good communications skills in writing
-The ability to speak in public and present ideas
-Working well with others
-The ability to work independently

Notice that these skills are not dependent upon any particular technology or discipline.
An advantage we have at Berea College, a liberal arts college, is that we incorporate these foundational skills into all we do.
Indeed, we also have our students master working with spreadsheets, develop skills in data analytics, and study all aspects of the business from Management, Economics, Finance, and Marketing.
As accounting is the business language, our students have more excellent business knowledge than other studies.

A key distinction for Berea College students is that all students must work for the college while they attend.
These jobs may vary from raising livestock to working in Accounts Payable. But all Berea graduates have years of practical work experience.
A core component of a Berea College education is to value the labor experience. We believe they enter the post-collegiate workforce with a significant advantage over their peers.

What soft skills should all Senior Accountants possess?

Thomas King

Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University

The ability to develop working relationships with a wide range of colleagues who have diverse skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Accountants?

Thomas King

Department Chair, Director, Master of Accountancy Program, Professor, Accountancy, Case Western Reserve University

The ability to extract information from unfamiliar data sets and then explain conclusions reached in a clear, persuasive manner.

What Senior Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.

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

In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.

What type of skills will young Senior Accountants need?

Lindsay Andiola Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

The accounting field has been rapidly evolving over the last 5 years. The pandemic really hasn't changed anything about the skills needed of these graduates. Most importantly, accounting graduates entering the workforce need to have not only the technical knowledge of accounting but also the ability to communicate well (both written and verbally). They need to have analytical and critical thinking skills, and comfort and willingness to use technology. The accounting field is changing, and in my opinion, accounting students have an amazing opportunity to be part of that change and innovate the profession. Companies and firms looking to hire accounting graduates are looking for those who are interested in driving change in the profession.

What technical skills for a Senior Accountant stand out to employers?

Dr. JP Krahel Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Accounting Department Chair, Loyola University Maryland

First, Excel. It's the most basic, essential tool for the accounting professional. If you can come in on Day 1 knowing essential keyboard shortcuts, proper formula and reference use, and how to format a spreadsheet properly, you'll have an immediate advantage over your peers.

Second, believe it or not, is writing. People think that accounting is all about numbers, but really, it's less about the math (which Excel does for you) and more about being able to explain the deeper meaning behind the results. Can you explain complex depreciation methods to an audit client? Give bad news to a tax client in an understandable way? These are big deals.

Third is data analytics. Given the immense volume of data now available to firms, someone who can extract, clean, and present that data using modern software tools will have an edge. It's really another form of communication, and one that early-career accounting professionals would do well to familiarize themselves with before entering the workforce.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior accountant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior accountant resume and required skills for a senior accountant to have include:

Reconciliations
CPA
GAAP
External Auditors
Internal Controls
Payroll
SOX
Strong Analytical
Fixed Assets
Accruals
General Ledger Accounts
Balance Sheet Accounts
ERP
Close Process
Process Improvement
Financial Data

Financial Analysis
Account Analysis
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash Flow
Variance Analysis
Excellent Organizational
Work Ethic
Income Statement
Real Estate
Excellent Interpersonal
Balance Sheet Reconciliations
Financial Results
Hyperion
Taxation
Financial Statement Preparation
Cash Management

HR
Sage
Sarbanes-Oxley
Financial Transactions
Revenue Recognition
QuickBooks
Management Reports
Treasury
Bank Accounts
Audit Schedules
Intercompany Transactions
Sox Control
A/P
Sox Testing
Ledgers

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Senior Accountant skills FAQs

Is managerial accounting hard?

What is a controller in accounting?

What is an account in accounting?

What is an encumbrance in accounting?

What is assurance in accounting?

What is fair value accounting?

What is materiality in accounting?

What is the difference between financial and managerial accounting?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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