Top Cities, Minimum Qualifications and Salary to watch out for Aspiring Accounting Specialists

Do you think great organizational skills are your forte? And, you also seem to have a way with numbers that only the gifted have? Then we’d suggest you consider a career as an Accounting Specialist. Wondering what this profession is all about? Let’s take a sneak peak.

What Tasks and Job Responsibilities Will I Do As An Accounting Specialist?

Accounting Specialists handle all paperwork related to the accounts department of any organization. From processing documents such as checks, to maintaining and managing accounting data, all these are responsibilities of people in this field. They also assist in budget planning, carrying out special projects, and developing policies and procedures. All in all, their job duties are all-encompassing.

Where Will I Work?

As an accounting specialist, you’ll be working with the account managers or accounting supervisors at any organization. The places where you can work include:

• State and federal organizations
• Private manufacturing companies
• Educational institutions such as universities
• Banks
• Financial institutions

What Minimum Qualifications Do I Need To Have To Work As An Accounting Specialist?

Usually, employers look for candidates with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field. In addition to this, many recruiters also prefer prospective candidates to have some clerical accounting experience related to the field. Besides these two minimum requirements, applicants for accounting specialist jobs should also have good computer skills, especially spreadsheet skills and adeptness at using accounting software.

What Kind Of Gender Ratio Exists For Accounting Specialists’ Jobs?

In the US, this job is generally held by females more than males. Over 80 percent of accounting specialists are estimated to be females, and they also earn more than their male counterparts.

What Can I Expect To Earn As An Accounting Specialist?

Payscale.com estimates a median pay of $38,912 for accounting specialists. As far as the places of work go, Massachusetts is the most well-paying amongst the featured states of Payscale.com. Here’s a look at the earning potential in other US states in decreasing order:

Which Metropolitan Areas Are The Top-Paying For Accounting Specialists?

Surveys place the following as the top ten cities for accounting specialists in terms of salary:

1. Arlington, Virginia
2. Austin, Texas
3. San Diego, California
4. Houston, Texas
5. Indianapolis, Indiana
6. Boston, Massachusetts
7. Dallas, Texas
8. San Antonio, Texas
9. St. Louis, Missouri
10. Des Moines, Iowa

Overall, becoming an accounting specialist can pave the way for a growing career in the accounting field. Many accounting specialists may go on to become staff accounts, accounts managers or accountants later on after pursuing further studies. So, is this a career you’d like to pursue?