Accounting Supervisor

Accounting supervisors combine managerial, accounting and clerical responsibilities. They create schedules and supervise other accounting and clerical personnel. Verification of accounting data and responsibility for overall financial practices are vital components of this profession.

Since they work with every department in a company, accounting supervisors communicate with department heads about budgets and expenditures. These accounting professionals multi-task as they compile and create financial reports, manage corporate financial accounts and oversee employees. Accounting supervisors must be adept at utilization of current accounting software.

Accounting supervisors may be required to do any of the following:

• Accounts payable and receivable
• Produce and oversee budgets
• Develop financial statements such as profit and loss
• Keep track of company payroll and benefits
• Update management and employees about changes in benefits and/or payroll
• Field financial questions from employees and managers
• Communicate with department heads about expenditures and budgets
• Supervise junior accounting employees
• Help develop solutions to budget and other financial issues
• Report to upper level management about the company’s financial position.

Accounting Supervisor Degrees

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or in business administration with a focus on accounting is required to become an accounting supervisor. Some companies require supervisors to earn additional supervisory certificates.

Most states require a candidate to become licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In order to acquire this certification, an accountant must pass the Uniform CPA examination.

Accounting Supervisor Salary*

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2008 accountants earned a median annual salary of $59,430. Supervisory accountants should expect to earn a somewhat higher salary depending on experience and the size of the company. The accounting profession, in general, is expected to grow at a faster than average rate through 2018.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics