Description

The senior accountants serve as the main "numbers" individuals in any business with an accounting department. They are accountable for keeping the company's finances well-organized. They should be skilled in math and well-organized so as to not miss any financial data. Just one mistake among the thousands of numbers they are exposed to each year could completely alter the status and actions of their management. Therefore, it is essential to be precise. Senior accountants will also typically oversee teams of accountants working for larger firms.

Senior accountants typically need an accounting master's degree however it is possible for some individuals to climb to the top position by obtaining an undergraduate degree. They should also have the qualities of a leader and be successful in their accounting career for a number of years.

Senior accountants typically work in offices. The essential tools for their job include a calculator, computer phone, pen, graphs, paper, charts ledgers, and other typical office equipment. Since senior accountants are the department's head and be accountable to an executive, like the general manager or vice president of their company. Senior accountants typically work during regular working hours from Monday to Friday, between 8 and 9 a.m. until 4:30 or 5:30 p.m.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Senior Accountant with 9+ years of experience in India, here are some main responsibilities:

  • Preparing accurate and timely financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
  • Collaborating with management to develop annual budgets, forecasting future financial outcomes, and monitoring actual performance against budgeted goals.
  • Implementing and maintaining internal control procedures to ensure compliance with company policies, regulations, and accounting standards.
  • Ensuring timely and accurate preparation and filing of tax returns, including income tax, GST, and TDS, while staying updated with changes in tax laws.

Qualifications & Work Experience

Major educational qualifications required for Senior Accountant are:

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field or a similar combination of training, education and previous experience.
  • 2-5 years of experience in finance or accounting.
  • Demonstrate intermediate-to-advanced skills and proficiency in Excel and various Microsoft Office applications.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience working with accounting software.
  • Great interpersonal abilities to effectively communicate throughout the company.
  • A thorough understanding about general ledger accounting as well as reconciliation of accounts.
  • Extremely detail-oriented.

Essential Skills For Senior Accountant

1

Enterprise IT Infrastructure

2

Office 365

3

Accounting

4

Accounting Fundamentals

5

Tax Accounting

6

Financial Analysis

Skills That Affect Senior Accountant Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Enterprise IT Infrastructure

15%

Office 365

19%

Accounting

30%

Accounting Fundamentals

18%

Tax Accounting

18%

Financial Analysis

40%

Financial Statements

36%

Microsoft Excel

39%

Ledger Accounting

9%

Word

61%

Career Prospects

Some Alternative job roles available for Senior Accountant are:

  • Financial Analyst: Provides comprehensive analysis and research on investment opportunities, risk management strategies, and private equity transactions in corporate finance and buy-side research.

How to Learn

The projected growth of the Senior Accountant role in India's job market is highly positive. Based on a 10-year analysis, the demand for Senior Accountants is expected to increase significantly. With the evolving business landscape and increasing complexities in accounting standards, the need for experienced professionals is on the rise. Employment opportunities in this field are forecasted to expand, driven by the continuous growth of industries and the demand for accurate financial reporting. According to Google's latest data points, the Senior Accountant role is projected to have a steady and promising growth trajectory in India, offering numerous opportunities for skilled professionals.