What Does an Accounting Supervisor Do?

The role of an accounting supervisor is one that requires a great deal of leadership and management skills. They are responsible for overseeing the work of their team, ensuring that they are completing their assigned tasks in a timely manner and meeting all company standards.

Accounting supervisors may also be tasked with developing new employees or helping current staff develop new skills. This might include things like providing training on specific software programs or teaching them how to handle certain types of transactions or accounts.

Accounting Supervisor Job Duties

An accounting supervisor typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Hiring, training, and overseeing accounting staff to ensure they are performing their jobs efficiently and accurately
• Reviewing financial documents prepared by staff members to ensure they have been prepared correctly according to company policies and procedures
• Using accounting software such as QuickBooks or Peachtree to maintain financial records for the company
• Working with auditors from public accounting firms or internal auditors from other departments within the organization to ensure compliance with accounting standards
• Overseeing the processing of payroll checks and other compensation payments to employees
• Reporting any accounting irregularities to senior management for further investigation
• Monitoring cash flow to ensure that there are sufficient funds to meet operational expenses
• Reviewing financial statements to ensure they are accurate and reflect proper accounting procedures
• Developing budgets based on projected revenues and expenditures to help ensure that the company has sufficient funds to operate successfully

Accounting Supervisor Salary & Outlook

Accounting supervisors’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $82,500 ($39.66/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of accounting supervisors is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Employment growth will be driven by the need for accounting services in healthcare and other service industries. As more businesses outsource their accounting needs, demand for accounting supervisors will increase.

Related: 17 Accounting Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Accounting Supervisor Job Requirements

The qualifications for an accounting supervisor position may include:

Education: A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for an accounting supervisor position. A candidate can earn a degree in accounting, business or finance. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Training & Experience: Most accounting supervisors receive on-the-job training, which may last for a few months to a year. This training may include shadowing an experienced supervisor or performing lower-level accounting duties while learning the specific processes and procedures of the accounting department.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications enable professionals to prove their qualifications to current and future employers. Accounting supervisors can earn certifications to gain more theoretical knowledge of their responsibilities, test their professional skills and further advance their career.

Accounting Supervisor Skills

Accounting supervisors need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of transferring information from one person to another. As an accounting supervisor, you may be required to communicate with employees, managers and executives. Effective communication can help you to convey your ideas and instructions to others. It can also help you to understand the needs of others and to work with them to find solutions to problems.

Leadership: Leadership is the ability to motivate and inspire others to work together to achieve a common goal. As an accounting supervisor, you may be responsible for managing a team of accountants and bookkeepers. Effective leadership skills can help you to motivate your team and encourage them to work hard and achieve their goals.

Organization: Organization is a crucial skill for accounting supervisors. You may be responsible for managing multiple projects and tasks at once, so it’s important to be able to prioritize and keep track of all your responsibilities. Organization can also help you delegate tasks effectively and efficiently.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and make a decision based on the information you have. As an accounting supervisor, you may be responsible for making decisions about how to handle financial situations. Having strong critical thinking skills can help you make the best decision for your company.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As an accounting supervisor, you may be responsible for overseeing the resolution of any issues that arise. This may include finding solutions to financial discrepancies, finding ways to improve productivity or finding ways to reduce costs.

Accounting Supervisor Work Environment

Accounting supervisors work in a variety of settings, including corporate accounting departments, public accounting firms, and government agencies. They typically work regular business hours, although they may occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines. Some accounting supervisors may travel to meet with clients or attend conferences. The work can be stressful at times, especially during busy periods such as tax season or when deadlines are approaching. However, most accounting supervisors find the work to be challenging and rewarding.

Accounting Supervisor Trends

Here are three trends influencing how accounting supervisors work. Accounting supervisors will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Skills

As businesses become more complex, the need for accounting supervisors with technical skills will increase. This is because accounting systems are becoming more complex and require specialized knowledge to manage them.

Accounting supervisors who are able to understand and manage these systems will be in high demand, as they will be able to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively. In addition, they will be able to provide valuable insight into how to improve accounting procedures and processes.

The Emergence of Cloud-Based Accounting Software

Cloud-based accounting software is quickly becoming the standard for small businesses. This is due to the many benefits that it offers, such as easy access to data from anywhere, automatic updates, and reduced costs.

As cloud-based accounting software becomes more popular, accounting supervisors will need to learn how to use this software in order to keep up with the latest trends. They will also need to be familiar with the security features that are offered by cloud-based software providers.

More Focus on Data Analytics

As businesses become more reliant on data analytics, accounting supervisors will need to develop expertise in this area.

Data analytics allows businesses to make better decisions based on the information that they have collected. As a result, accounting supervisors will need to be able to analyze data and draw conclusions from it. This requires both strong analytical skills and an understanding of how to use data to make decisions.

How to Become an Accounting Supervisor

There are many different paths you can take to become an accounting supervisor. You could start as a bookkeeper, then move up the ranks to become a chief financial officer (CFO) or controller. Or, you could start your career in public accounting and work your way up the ladder to become a partner or manager.

No matter which path you choose, it’s important to have a strong understanding of accounting principles and procedures. You should also be able to effectively communicate with people at all levels of an organization.

Advancement Prospects

The most common way to advance in this field is to move up the ladder within your organization. As you gain experience and demonstrate your abilities, you will be promoted to higher level positions. Some common job titles people move up to as they advance in their career include senior accountant, accounting manager, and director of accounting.

Another way to advance your career is to obtain additional education, such as a master’s degree in accounting or business administration. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to move into higher level positions.

You can also advance your career by becoming certified. There are several different accounting certifications available, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Obtaining one of these certifications will show that you have the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful accountant.

Accounting Supervisor Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we believe that our people are our most valuable asset. We’re looking for an experienced accounting supervisor to join our team and help us continue to grow and succeed. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting and finance, with experience supervising a team of accountants. He or she will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the accounting department, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and General Ledger. The accounting supervisor will also be responsible for month-end close, financial reporting, and assisting with the annual audit.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure that all accounting transactions are properly recorded, filed, and processed in a timely manner
• Review and approve journal entries, invoices, and other accounting documents for accuracy and compliance with company policies and procedures
• Reconcile bank statements and general ledger accounts on a monthly basis
• Prepare and distribute monthly financial reports to management
• Assist with the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures
• Supervise and train accounting staff members
• Handle customer inquiries and resolve any accounting issues or discrepancies
• Perform month-end closing activities and prepare year-end financial statements
• Maintain accurate records of fixed assets and depreciation
• Manage Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions
• Prepare and file state and federal tax returns
• Conduct audits of internal controls and financial processes

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field
• 5+ years experience in an accounting role, with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity
• Thorough understanding of GAAP standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel skills
• Experience with QuickBooks or other accounting software
• Outstanding organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• CPA or MBA preferred
• Experience in auditing or public accounting
• Experience with ERP systems, such as SAP or Oracle
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to lead and mentor a team of accountants