Accounting Consultant Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

She earned a bachelor of science in finance and accounting from New York University. Matos began her career at Ernst & Young, where she audited a diverse set of companies, primarily in consumer products and media and entertainment. She has worked in private industry as an accountant for law firms and for ITOCHU Corporation, an international conglomerate that manages over 20 subsidiaries and affiliates. Matos stays up to date on changes in the accounting industry through educational courses. After completing the examination, the consultant will make recommendations on additional accounting services needed or changes that should be made to create greater efficiency for the company’s accounting and finances.

Get productivity tips from top unscripted companies in our latest eBook.

These individuals hold an in-depth understanding of accounting principles and how to apply them in various business scenarios. CPAs, you know you’re required to earn a set number of Continued Professional Education what is an accounting consultant (CPE) credits each year to maintain your license. Completing one of Becker’s Consulting Services Libraries would satisfy these requirements and bring you closer to where you want to be in your consulting work.

• Without specialized expertise and experience, companies run the risk of improper accounting, which can result in adjustments that materially impact financial statements.
• Even with the job’s demands, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout and ensure sustained productivity.
• In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting.
• Our mission is to empower readers with the most factual and reliable financial information possible to help them make informed decisions for their individual needs.
• If time allows, you should start thinking about it at least six months from the time you plan to retire or transition.

Auditing and Assurance Services

Engaging with experienced tax credit consulting professionals can help streamline this phase and ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your hard-earned credits. Additionally, how you structure your production deals can affect your eligibility for tax credits. Deferring payments or offering discounts to vendors might seem beneficial in the short term but can impact your ability to claim credits for those expenses. Careful planning and tax credit consulting can help you navigate these complexities and maximize your tax credit benefits.

Support in Informed Financial Decision-Making

They use tools like Excel for data analysis and are involved in tasks like bank statement reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, and audit support. Rather than managing the finances of a single company, accounting consultants more often work for specialized accounting agencies, finance companies and business consultancy firms that assist many clients. Others choose a freelance CPA role, in which they must seek their own clients but they have more freedom over their work. Offering accounting advice to multiple clients can require traveling to different locations.

I was fortunate to get a job offer from a mid-size CPA firm in New England while I was a senior in college, and I spent many years working there as an auditor. Before your accounting consultant dives in with your full-charge bookkeeper to provide accounting services, they will help you make changes to your company’s accounting processes and procedures for better efficiency. Maybe you can even hit a few buttons and send an invoice to clients or generate a cash flow statement.

• They advise businesses on their accounting systems, propose improvements, identify problem areas, and ensure compliance with legal policies.
• A manager of finance accounting must also maintain accurate financial records, identify any errors or inconsistencies, and perform support tasks for staff when necessary.
• Double-entry accounting is also called balancing the books, as all of the accounting entries are balanced against each other.
• The path to becoming an accountant consultant involves an interplay of formal education, professional certifications, and substantial hands-on experience.
• Accountant consultants bring a high level of expertise, often reflected in their income.

The value of tax credit consultants

These designations boost one’s credentials and open doors to greater job opportunities and career advancement. Professional certifications endorse expertise, proficiency, and commitment to the profession. Some highly sought-after certifications include the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). 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. Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules… Adtalem Global Education is not responsible for the security, contents and accuracy of any information provided on the third-party website.

What Are the Responsibilities of an Accountant?

Innocent Ibhaluobe is the Editor in Chief of Job Description and Resume Examples. He has over 15 years of experience in career development, research, journalism, and human resources. This position will necessitate the individual having time for considerable traveling, possessing expertise, the capability to comprehend quickly and display sufficient dexterity in reasoning effectively. I am an extrovert, which many people don’t think of as a typical characteristic of an accountant, but I find it helpful in establishing a bond with my clients. I have been lucky to have a lot of long-standing, wonderful client relationships.

Traditional production accounting methods often fall short in effectively managing the complexities of tax incentives. However, by adopting a more structured approach and leveraging technology, you can streamline the process and significantly increase your chances of a successful audit. Our goal is to develop an accurate, compliant and reliable financial reporting function so you can make informed decisions for growth. Generally speaking, however, attention to detail is a key component in accountancy, since accountants must be able to diagnose and correct subtle errors or discrepancies in a company’s accounts. The ability to think logically is also essential, to help with problem-solving.

Also, ensure that your résumé contains adequate detail about your previous employers. “The biggest mistake high-level accounting people make on their résumés is that they don’t let the reader know the type of industry the company is, the size of the company,” Plato said. Many CPAs who have made the leap to consulting, whether on their own or working with a staffing company, have found it to be a rewarding career move. Consulting can be a way to finish up your career until you’re ready to retire from work altogether, or serve as a steppingstone at times when you are between permanent employers or need greater flexibility. Your comfort level with networking and asking for business will impact your ability to find clients. Make sure you have business cards and set up your own database of contacts or use LinkedIn.