Occupation · SOC 13-2011
Accountants and Auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
Median wage
$81,680
$52,780–$141,420
Projected growth
+4.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
7,280
per year
Employed (US)
1,448,290
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
827 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsCoordinationTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationActive LearningPersuasionSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlScienceEquipment SelectionInstallationTroubleshootingRepairingEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Economics and AccountingEnglish LanguageMathematicsAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesEducation and TrainingCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingTelecommunicationsPsychologyProduction and ProcessingTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityGeographySociology and AnthropologyDesignHistory and ArcheologyEngineering and TechnologyPhilosophy and TheologyMechanicalForeign LanguageBuilding and ConstructionTherapy and CounselingChemistryFood ProductionMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsPhysicsBiology
Technology & tools
1099 ProsSoftwareACCUCertACL Audit ExchangeACL Business Assurance AnalyticsADP Super Report WriterADP Workforce NowATX Total Accounting OfficeATX Total Engagement OfficeATX Total Tax OfficeAbacus TaxAccountants Templates JAZZ-It!Accounting compliance softwareAccounting fraud detection softwareAccounting softwareAccounts payable softwareAccounts receivable softwareAccurate NXGAcornSystems Corporate Performance ManagementAcorynSystems Activity Based Costing/Management ABC/MAdaptaSoft CyberPayAdobe AcrobatAdvanced Micro Systems 1099-EtcAlteryx softwareAmerican Riviera MagtaxApache SolrArbutus AnalyzerAsset management softwareAudit management softwareAudit planning and control environment softwareAuditWare CaseWare ExaminerAuditWare financial reporting and auditing softwareAutomated auditors fraud detector softwareAutomation Counselors municiPALAvalara AvaTax STBNA Corporate Tax Audit AnalyzerBNA Estate and Gift Tax SuiteBNA Income Tax Planning SolutionsBNA Sales and Use Tax Rates and FormsBest MIP Fund AccountingBest Software CPAPayroll
Representative tasks
Getting InformationWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping and Building TeamsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleStaffing Organizational UnitsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine journal entries and reconciliations — prepare on assigned accounts under a senior's review.Audit walkthroughs and tie-outs — execute on standard areas with manager oversight.Working-paper standards — apply consistently in the firm's audit software.Source documents (invoices, contracts, bank statements) — request and trace to the GL.Sampling procedures — perform per the audit plan on routine populations.Variance analyses on assigned accounts — produce with a senior reviewing.Standard tax forms and schedules — prepare on simple returns under review.Client correspondence and PBC lists — maintain accurately on assigned engagements.Internal controls documentation — update for assigned cycles under supervision.Time entry and budget tracking — record accurately on assigned engagement codes.
developing
Multiple audit areas on a routine engagement — execute with reduced manager oversight.Account reconciliations across the close — own and resolve in a private-company setting.Common tax provisions and adjustments — calculate and document on standard returns.Audit findings and exceptions — identify, document, and propose adjustments.Junior staff on assigned sections — review and coach during fieldwork.Client requests and follow-ups — manage on a routine engagement with manager visibility.Internal control testing — design and execute for assigned cycles.GAAP/IFRS treatment on familiar transactions — apply correctly with manager review.Engagement budgets — track and flag overruns on assigned sections.Standard reports and management letters — draft for partner review.
proficient
Full audit engagements for mid-sized clients — manage from planning through report.Complex accounting issues (revenue, leases, impairment) — research and conclude with documentation.Audit teams of multiple staff — supervise on engagements end-to-end.Material findings and recommendations — frame and discuss with client management.Tax positions on non-routine returns — develop and defend with documentation.Client relationships at controller and CFO level — manage across a portfolio of engagements.Engagement risk and quality — apply firm methodology to non-routine areas.Engagement economics — manage to budget and recovery on owned engagements.Staff and senior development — mentor across the practice on technique and judgment.Industry-specific accounting and audit issues — apply credibly within a chosen sector.
advanced
Audit and accounting practice — lead as partner, director, or controller of significant scope.High-risk and contested accounting positions — drive to defensible conclusions with documentation.Engagement quality and risk management — own across a portfolio at firm or company level.Client relationships at C-suite and audit-committee level — steward across multi-year arcs.Practice growth and business development — lead within an industry or service line.Talent pipeline (recruiting, development, partner candidates) — shape across the practice.Regulatory inspections and peer reviews — lead the practice through with credibility.Technical standards and firm methodology — interpret and influence at the practice level.Material disputes (regulator, IRS, litigation support) — represent the practice or company through.Profession-level contributions (standard-setting, thought leadership) — make credibly over time.
Also known as
64 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Account AuditorAccountantAccounting AssociateAccounting AuditorAccounting ConsultantAccounting Methods AnalystAccounting OfficerAccounting Systems AnalystAsset AnalystAudit AssociateAudit PartnerAuditorAuditor-In-ChargeBank AccountantBudget AccountantBursarCertified Public Accountant (CPA)City AuditorCompliance AnalystCompliance AuditorCompliance CoordinatorCorporate AccountantCost AccountantCounty AuditorData Processing AuditorField AuditorFinance Business PartnerFinancial AccountantFinancial AuditorFinancial Systems AnalystForensic AccountantFund AccountantGeneral AccountantGeneral Ledger AccountantIndustrial AccountantInformation Systems AuditorInsurance AuditorInternal AuditorInventory AccountantInventory Auditor