A Day in the Life of an Accountant

If you're considering pursuing a career as an accountant, you're probably wondering what the typical day of an accountant looks like. This is a great question - before you make a move into a new field, it's important to get a sense of what you'd be doing on a daily basis so that you can assess whether the career is truly right for you.

It's difficult to come up with an accurate description of the daily life of an accountant, because the field is so broad, with so many variations, and no two accountants will spend their days doing the same kinds of work. This is a good thing, though. With so many accounting career paths to choose from, you'll have plenty of opportunities to identify the type of accounting that's best suited to your skills, working style, and preferences.

When asking the question, "what does an accountant do on a daily basis?" you might not find answers that get at the specific job duties until you dig deeper, and look at specific areas of the field, such as tax accounting or public accounting. However, on the whole, accounting professionals usually can expect to do some common types of tasks, and use certain sets of skills, on a daily basis.

While the life of an accountant on a day-to-day basis is difficult to characterize in-depth, here are some of the things you can expect to do if you enter the field.

 

Key Accounting Skills

Across all types of accounting, you'll need to have a certain technical and professional skillset, which lends itself to specific kinds of tasks (regardless of the type of accounting you're doing). Some of these include:

Analytical Skills

Accounting professionals will find themselves facing a number of tasks each day that require critical, analytical thinking.

Detail-Oriented Work

Much of the work performed by accountants is detail-oriented; you'll need to maintain thoroughness and precision in most of the projects you'll be working on throughout the day.

Communication with Other Accounting Professionals

Most accountants work on a team with one or more other accounting professionals, which means you will need to be able to discuss your work in technical accounting terms, and also have a firm grasp of the concepts related to the accounting work your colleagues are performing (whether it's focused on a different area of the business, or another form of accounting altogether), so that you can have alignment across the entire accounting department.

Communication with Other Teams and Departments

In addition to working closely with your accounting colleagues, you'll most likely be called upon to deliver expertise, opinions, and reporting to other members of the organization. This will require you to be well-versed in the principles of accounting, and able to translate complex, technical topics into language that can easily be understood by those who are less familiar with the accounting world.

Financial Skills

Perhaps it goes without saying, but as an accountant, regardless of your area of specialty, much of your work will involve manipulating numbers, working with formulas, and performing financial analysis.

Proficiency with Accounting Technology

Modern accounting involves the use of accounting technology. You can expect to use tools such as Microsoft Excel, data modeling programs, and financial software.

Common Accountant Responsibilities

Beyond these basic daily tasks, which apply to accounting professionals across all fields, industries, and areas of expertise, you'll likely have more specialized tasks that you'll spend much of your time on. These will depend on your accounting career path, and could include things such as:

Preparing and Examining Financial Records

Accountants start their day by diving into financial records and spreadsheets, ensuring all transactions are accurate and compliant with regulations. They examine these records to identify discrepancies, maintain audit readiness, and ensure financial data is prepared for analysis. This critical step supports the creation of accurate tax returns, financial statements, and budget reports.

Managing Budgets and Forecasting

Accountants analyze financial data and use advanced spreadsheets to create and monitor budgets. By forecasting future income and expenses, they provide financial advice that guides decision-making for businesses and individuals. Staff accountants and financial advisors rely on these forecasts to help organizations stay within budget and meet financial goals.

Preparing Financial Statements

A key responsibility of accountants is preparing financial statements, such as balance sheets and cash flow statements, which provide a clear view of an organization’s financial health. This work involves meticulous data analysis, ensuring every figure aligns with the financial records and is ready for internal audits or external reporting.

Conducting Financial Analysis

Accountants perform in-depth data analysis to identify trends, assess risks, and evaluate opportunities. Whether assisting a financial advisor with market insights or supporting a staff accountant in optimizing operations, financial analysis is essential for creating strategies that improve profitability and efficiency.

Filing Taxes and Managing Tax Returns

Tax preparation is a cornerstone of an accountant's role, requiring precise data entry and a strong understanding of tax laws. From compiling financial records to filing tax returns, they ensure clients maximize deductions, meet deadlines, and avoid penalties. This expertise also involves offering financial advice to plan for future tax seasons.

Managing Payroll and Accounts

Accountants are responsible for managing payroll systems, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. They also oversee accounts payable and receivable, maintaining smooth cash flow. Staff accountants often collaborate with financial advisors to align payroll expenses with organizational budgets and forecasts.

Communicating Financial Insights

Accountants translate complex financial data into actionable insights for stakeholders, whether through detailed spreadsheets, audit-ready reports, or one-on-one meetings. By providing clear financial advice, they help clients, managers, and financial advisors make informed decisions that support long-term goals.
 

If you're trying to decide which path you should take, spend some time reading up on the different types of accounting jobs available, and research the typical duties of each. Each form of accounting will have different hiring requirements in terms of education, experience, and certification - be sure to look into this so that you're well-prepared, or can obtain any additional credentials necessary for entry into the field.

Thinking About a Career in Accounting?

With so many paths to explore in the accounting field, the right education can help you build the skills and confidence to succeed. Champlain College Online’s bachelor’s in accounting program offers the flexibility and career-focused learning you need to take the next step. Learn more today by requesting more information about our degree programs.