Accounting Supervisor vs. Accounting Manager: What Are the Differences?

A career in accounting can offer many opportunities for growth and development. Two common positions in this field are that of an accounting supervisor and an accounting manager. Though these positions share some similarities, there are several key differences between them.

In this article, we discuss the differences between an accounting supervisor and an accounting manager, and we provide additional accounting professions you may be interested in pursuing.

What is an Accounting Supervisor?

Accounting Supervisors oversee the work of accounting clerks and other junior accounting staff. They ensure that all work is accurate and meets deadlines. Accounting Supervisors may prepare or review journal entries, ledgers, or financial statements. They may also reconcile accounts, research and resolve discrepancies, and prepare reports. Accounting Supervisors may also train new staff on accounting procedures and company policy. They may work in a variety of industries, including public accounting firms, corporate accounting departments, or government agencies.

What is an Accounting Manager?

An Accounting Manager is responsible for the financial health of their organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities and develop strategies to improve profitability. They also oversee the work of accounting staff members and provide guidance on financial best practices. Accounting Managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. They also have several years of experience working in accounting or a related field.

Accounting Supervisor vs. Accounting Manager

Here are the main differences between an accounting supervisor and an accounting manager.

Job Duties

Accounting supervisors and managers share some job duties, such as overseeing daily accounting activities, delegating tasks to other employees and providing feedback. However, accounting managers have more responsibilities than accounting supervisors because of their higher level in the company. Accounting managers often manage larger teams and take on additional tasks, such as creating training programs for staff members and setting overall department goals.

Accounting supervisors typically have a smaller role within the accounting department, where they oversee day-to-day operations. Accounting supervisors may perform similar tasks as accounting managers, such as reviewing completed work and providing constructive criticism. Accounting supervisors also act as mentors to newer employees, helping them learn new processes and skills.

Job Requirements

To become an accounting supervisor or manager, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field. For consideration in more advanced positions, it may help to pursue a master’s degree, but it is not a prerequisite for either position.

In addition to college, both professions may continue education through additional certifications. A CPA license, which teaches accountants how to file taxes, is accredited through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and offered as a national exam. A CFA license allows financial analysts to advise clients through decision-making in investment opportunities. Certifications are not mandatory in either position but allow for more growth opportunities and can be an outlet for gaining more experience in the financial field through extensive training hours.

Work Environment

Accounting supervisors typically work in an office environment, but they may also travel to visit clients or attend conferences. They often have a more traditional work schedule than accounting managers, who usually work long hours and weekends to ensure that their team is completing projects on time. Accounting supervisors may occasionally work overtime as well.

Accounting managers can work in both office and field environments. They may spend some of their time traveling to meet with clients or vendors, while other times they may be working from the office. Some accounting managers may work irregular hours, such as late nights and weekends, depending on the needs of their department.

Skills

The specific skills used on the job by an accounting supervisor and an accounting manager can differ depending on the size of the organization and the specific duties of the position. However, both types of positions typically require excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and organizational skills.

An accounting supervisor may need to have more in-depth knowledge of accounting principles and practices than an accounting manager. They may also be responsible for training and supervising lower-level accounting staff, so they need to have strong leadership skills. An accounting manager usually has a more strategic role in an organization, developing long-term plans for the accounting department and overseeing its budget. They may also be responsible for communicating the department’s goals and objectives to upper management.

Salary

Accounting supervisors earn an average salary of $77,827 per year, while accounting managers earn an average salary of $89,252 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the position.