Overview

Accounting managers are responsible for the administration of management accounts, organizational budgeting and administration of accounting.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Manage information reports on specific topics at specified intervals
• Handle budget compilation and control, with analysis of monthly reports against budgets
• Interpret the statistical and accounting information to appraise operating results in terms of cost, budgets, and policies of operation, trends and increased profit possibilities
• Maintain general ledger
• Manage the closing and balance sheet reconciliation processes
• Oversee accounting processes including financial statements reporting, foreign currency accounting, fixed assets, governmental reporting and other accounting activities
• Oversee financial risk management processes
• Coordinate the preparation of yearly budgets
• Analyze and interpret monthly operating or project performance against budget
• Develop accounting and financial management systems and reports
• Train accountants under your leadership
• Establish and monitor internal controls and processes
• Work with internal and external audit agencies on quarterly and annual income statements
• Prepare monthly management reports
• Responsible for inventory controls and accuracy

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is required to become an accounting manager. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly desired as is a master’s degree in business administration or accounting.

To pursue a career as an Accounting Manager:

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, accounting, business courses, economics, government, and computer courses and mathematics.

Where can I work?

Accounting managers are employed by nearly all companies in agricultural as well as accounting firms and government entities. 

Future Job Market / Outlook

The future outlook for an accounting manager will be good over the next five years. 

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• CPA Connect
• American Institute of CPA’s
• National Society of Accountants
• The American Accounting Association
• American Agricultural Economics Association