Accountant job description template

LiveRec EditorialUpdated

US format, federal rules as of 30 Oct 2026. State and local rules vary.

An accountant records, reconciles and reports a company's financial transactions and keeps it in line with tax and reporting rules. A good job description names the accounting areas covered, the software, the close calendar, and whether a CPA license is needed or only preferred.

At a glance

  • Specify the accounting system and the month-end close schedule.
  • Say whether a CPA license is required. Most staff accountant work does not need one.
  • Separate accounting tasks (AP, AR, GL) from tax or audit work.

Template

Accountant
[COMPANY] | [CITY, STATE or Remote] | [Full-time / Part-time / Contract]

PAY: $[MIN] to $[MAX] per [hour / year]. Benefits: [LIST].

SUMMARY
An accountant records, reconciles and reports a company's financial transactions and keeps it in line with tax and reporting rules. At [COMPANY] you will [OUTCOME FOR THE FIRST YEAR] and report to [TITLE].

RESPONSIBILITIES
- Post journal entries and reconcile bank, credit card and balance sheet accounts
- Support the month-end close and prepare financial statements for [REVIEWER]
- Process accounts payable and receivable in [SYSTEM] if assigned
- Prepare schedules for audit and tax filings
- Monitor budgets versus actuals and explain variances
- Maintain internal controls and documentation
- Propose and carry out improvements to close procedures

REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, or equivalent experience: state which you accept
- [N] years of accounting experience
- Knowledge of US GAAP
- Proficiency in [ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE] and advanced spreadsheet skills
- Attention to detail and respect for deadlines

NICE TO HAVE
- CPA license or progress toward it
- Experience in [INDUSTRY]
- Experience with ERP implementation

HOW WE HIRE
[Interview rounds, any test, timeline. Say that applicants never pay a fee.]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
[COMPANY] considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. To request an adjustment, contact [EMAIL].

Duties and skills follow the O*NET OnLine summary for Accountants and Auditors (13-2011.00), the US Department of Labor's occupational database.

How to customize it

  • CPA: licensing is state-based. If you require a CPA, state which state and whether a license from another state is acceptable.
  • Segregation of duties: if the role approves and records payments, describe the controls. Candidates and auditors will ask.
  • Busy season: be honest about overtime around quarter-end and tax deadlines and how it is paid.
  • Background checks: if the person handles funds, you may use a background check after a conditional offer under FCRA rules.
  • Level: delete the junior or senior wording that does not apply, and cut every requirement you would not screen for.
  • Pay: enter your own approved range. Several states require a range in the posting; see pay transparency laws.

How to post it on LiveRec

  1. Open Jobs and choose Post a job.
  2. Choose Use a template or a previous job, Describe it with AI, or Create a new job from scratch.
  3. Paste the summary, responsibilities and requirements into the Description step, then complete the screening and assessment steps.
  4. Use Preview posting to see what candidates see, then choose Post job.

Steps and limits are in Post a job on LiveRec. When the applicants arrive, use the accountant interview questions.

FAQ

Accountant or bookkeeper? Bookkeepers record transactions. Accountants also analyze, prepare financial statements and handle tax or audit support. Many small companies need a hybrid; say which.

Is a CPA required to be an accountant? No. A CPA license is needed only for certain attest and signing work. Require it only if the role needs it.

Next step

Fill the placeholders, check the finished text against how to write a job description, and post it. Build a scorecard from the requirements list.

Sources

  • O*NET OnLine, 13-2011.00 Accountants and Auditors: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.00
  • EEOC, Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices: https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policies-practices
  • US DOL Wage and Hour Division, FLSA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
  • FCRA overview (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.