6 free templates by type. Download as DOCX or copy-paste.
For a growing business, hiring an accountant is the moment finances move from something you patch together to something a professional owns. The right accountant keeps you compliant, gives you accurate numbers to make decisions, and frees you from the books. For a small company, the role is often broad, covering everything from bookkeeping to payroll to coordinating with an outside CPA. The job description that brings them in does more than list tasks. It sets expectations on level and scope, screens for the right experience, and becomes the baseline for the role once you hire.
At FirstHR, we build for small businesses that hire without a dedicated finance or HR department, where the owner writes the posting and the accountant often reports straight to them. The six templates below cover the most common versions of the role: general, staff, senior, small business generalist, part-time, and controller. Each is ready to use. Fill in the bracketed fields, adjust to match your business, and post.
TL;DR
Six free, ready-to-use accountant job description templates for small businesses: General, Staff, Senior, Small Business Generalist, Part-Time, and Controller. Download as DOCX, customize the bracketed fields, and post in minutes. Match the template to the level you need, write concrete duties, set a realistic salary range, then bridge into onboarding once they accept.
What Is an Accountant Job Description?
An accountant job description is a short document that explains the role's purpose, responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation so you can post a job and attract the right candidates. It typically covers a job summary, key responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications, the salary range, and how to apply. The SHRM job description tools describe a job description as a plain-language tool that explains the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of a position, and the same standard applies whether you are a national firm or a single small business.
For an accounting role specifically, the document does double duty. It attracts applicants, and once someone is hired it becomes the reference point for their responsibilities and goals. Because the title spans everything from a junior staff accountant to a controller, the most important job of the description is to make the level and scope unmistakable.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template that matches the role and level you are filling. The core structure is the same across all six, but each one emphasizes the responsibilities, experience, and language that fit a specific kind of accountant. Use this guide to choose.
General
Most small businesses
The universal, full-time baseline. Covers the books, financial statements, tax support, and GAAP compliance. Start here if your role does not fit a specific type.
Staff
Entry to mid-level
For a junior accountant (1 to 3 years) working under supervision. Focuses on transactions, the general ledger, and supporting the month-end close.
Senior
Experienced (3 to 7 yrs)
For an accountant who leads the close, handles complex reconciliations, analyzes results, and mentors junior staff.
Small Business Generalist
No finance department
For a versatile accountant who owns everything alone: bookkeeping, payroll, tax coordination, and reporting. The most common reality for small companies.
Part-Time / Fractional
Startups and micro-businesses
For a defined, limited scope on a part-time or contract basis. Professional accounting without a full-time hire, often remote and async.
Accounting Manager / Controller
Growth-stage
For an accounting leader who runs the finance function, manages a team, and partners with leadership on strategy.
Match the Template to the Level
The fastest way to choose is by experience and scope. Junior and supervised? Staff. Experienced and leading the close? Senior. Owns everything alone at a small company? Small Business Generalist. Not enough work for full-time? Part-Time. Leading a team and strategy? Controller. If the role is a straightforward full-time accountant, start with the General template.
6 Free Accountant Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each one follows the same structure: company overview, job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, compensation, and how to apply. Fill in the brackets before you post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, staff, senior, small business generalist, part-time, and controller. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Accountant
The universal, full-time baseline. Covers the books, financial statements, tax support, and GAAP compliance. Use this if your role does not fit cleanly into a specific type.
General Accountant Job Description
ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: __
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your business and what makes it a good place to
work.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring an Accountant to manage our financial records and keep
our finances accurate and compliant. You will handle the books, prepare
financial statements, support tax filings, and help leadership understand the
numbers. This role suits a detail-oriented professional who is reliable with
data and comfortable owning the accounting function.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Maintain accurate financial records and the general ledger
•Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable
•Reconcile bank and credit card accounts
•Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
•Support tax preparation and ensure compliance with regulations
•Assist with budgeting and financial reporting
•Ensure records follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
•Identify and improve accounting processes
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
•Proven accounting experience
•Knowledge of accounting principles and GAAP
•Proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, or similar)
•Strong attention to detail and accuracy
•Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•CPA certification
•Experience in [your industry]
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
Benefits: __ (health, PTO, retirement, etc.)
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Staff Accountant
For a junior accountant with 1 to 3 years of experience working under supervision. Focuses on transactions, the general ledger, and supporting the month-end close.
Staff Accountant Job Description
STAFF ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Senior Accountant / Controller
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Staff Accountant to handle day-to-day accounting under
the guidance of our senior accounting team. You will process transactions,
maintain the general ledger, and support the month-end close. This is a great
role for an accountant with 1 to 3 years of experience who wants to grow.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Record journal entries and maintain the general ledger
•Process accounts payable and accounts receivable
•Reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies
•Support the month-end and year-end close
•Assist with financial reporting and audits
•Help maintain compliance with accounting standards
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
•1 to 3 years of accounting experience
•Understanding of accounting principles and GAAP
•Proficiency with accounting software and spreadsheets
•Strong attention to detail
•Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Progress toward CPA certification
•Experience with [your accounting system]
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
Benefits: __
To apply, email __ with your resume by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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For an experienced accountant (3 to 7 years) who leads the close, handles complex reconciliations, analyzes results, and mentors junior staff.
Senior Accountant Job Description
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Controller / Accounting Manager
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Senior Accountant to own complex accounting work, lead
the month-end close, and mentor junior staff. You will handle reconciliations,
analyze financial results, and help ensure accuracy across our books. This role
suits an experienced accountant ready to take on more responsibility and
leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
ACCOUNTING AND CLOSE
•Lead the month-end and year-end close process
•Prepare and review complex reconciliations and journal entries
•Produce and analyze financial statements
ANALYSIS AND OVERSIGHT
•Perform variance and financial analysis for leadership
•Review and mentor staff accountants
•Support audits and ensure GAAP compliance
•Recommend improvements to accounting processes
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
•3 to 7 years of accounting experience
•Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
•Experience leading a close process
•Proficiency with accounting software and advanced spreadsheets
•Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•CPA certification
•Experience mentoring or supervising staff
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
Benefits: __
To apply, email __ with your resume by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Small Business Accountant (Generalist)
For a versatile accountant who owns the whole finance function alone at a company with no finance department. Covers bookkeeping, payroll, tax coordination, and reporting in one role.
Small Business Accountant Job Description
SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION (GENERALIST)
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Owner / CEO
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is a small business hiring an Accountant to own all of our
finances as a generalist. With no finance department, you will wear many hats:
bookkeeping, payroll, tax coordination, and financial reporting, all in one role.
Reporting directly to the owner, you will be our single point of contact for
anything finance-related. This role suits a versatile accountant who likes
variety and ownership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Own the full books: general ledger, AP, AR, and reconciliations
•Run or coordinate payroll
•Prepare financial statements and reports for the owner
•Coordinate tax preparation and filings (often with an external CPA)
•Manage cash flow and support budgeting
•Keep records compliant and organized
•Be the go-to person for all finance questions
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
•Broad accounting experience across multiple areas
•Comfort working independently without a finance team
•Proficiency with small-business accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero)
•Strong organization and the ability to juggle priorities
•Bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Experience in a small business or owner-led environment
•Payroll and tax coordination experience
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
Benefits: __
To apply, email __ with your resume by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Part-Time / Fractional Accountant
For a defined, limited scope on a part-time or contract basis. Professional accounting without a full-time hire, often remote and async. Ideal for startups and micro-businesses.
Accountant duties fall into four categories. A good job description picks the specific duties from each category that apply to your business and level rather than listing every possible task. These are the responsibilities most often expected of the role.
Recordkeeping
Maintain the general ledger
Manage AP and AR
Reconcile accounts
Reporting
Prepare financial statements
Run month-end close
Analyze results for leadership
Compliance
Follow GAAP standards
Support tax filings
Assist with audits
Planning
Support budgeting
Manage cash flow
Improve accounting processes
At a small business, this list usually expands to include payroll and coordinating with an outside CPA, since the accountant is often the only finance person.
What to Include in an Accountant Job Description
Every strong accountant job description includes the same core sections. The templates above are built around them, but it helps to know what each is for and how to make the duties concrete.
Weak bullet
Strong bullet
Manage financial records
Maintain the general ledger and reconcile all accounts monthly
Handle reporting
Prepare monthly and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP
Do taxes
Support tax preparation and coordinate filings with our external CPA
Help with budgets
Assist with annual budgeting and provide monthly variance analysis
Know accounting software
Maintain the books in QuickBooks and reconcile through bank feeds
Specific, measurable duties attract candidates who can actually do the work and signal a serious employer. Keep the language neutral and inclusive too, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on protected characteristics.
Staff vs Senior Accountant
The two most commonly confused levels are staff and senior. Getting the distinction right ensures you attract the correct experience level and set accurate pay. This table shows how they differ.
Factor
Staff Accountant
Senior Accountant
Experience
1 to 3 years
3 to 7 years
Main focus
Transactions and the general ledger
Close, analysis, and review
Supervision
Works under supervision
Works independently, mentors staff
Close role
Supports the close
Leads the close
CPA
Often in progress
Often preferred or held
If your need sits between these, or if one person will do both at a small company, the general or small business generalist template is a better starting point than forcing a staff or senior label.
How to Write an Accountant Job Description
A strong accountant job description takes about 20 minutes to write if you follow a clear structure. Here is the process the templates are built around.
1
Choose the right template
Pick the version that matches the role and level: general, staff, senior, small business generalist, part-time, or controller. The template already emphasizes the right scope.
2
Write a clear title and summary
Use a plain, searchable title. Open with two or three sentences covering who you are, what the role owns, and the level of the position. Keep it human, not corporate.
3
List 8 to 10 specific responsibilities
Use concrete duties grouped by recordkeeping, reporting, compliance, and planning. Write prepare monthly financial statements, not the vague manage financial records.
4
Match requirements to the level
Separate must-haves like accounting experience and software from nice-to-haves like a CPA. Reserve a CPA requirement for senior and controller roles.
5
Add reporting line, salary, and apply steps
Name who the accountant reports to, add a realistic salary range, include an equal opportunity statement, and give simple instructions for how to apply.
Accountant Salary
Set your salary range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for level, certification, and location. Pay rises significantly from staff to senior to controller, and a CPA typically commands a premium.
Accountant Pay and Demand (BLS)
Accountants and auditors earn a median of about $81,680 per year, with the lowest 10 percent under $52,780 and the highest 10 percent over $141,420. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent, faster than average, with about 124,200 openings expected each year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Strong demand means qualified accountants have options, so a clear, competitive range matters.
Position your range against the level you are hiring: staff accountants sit below the median, while senior accountants and controllers sit above it. Always publish a range. It is now legally required in many states and it attracts more qualified applicants. Federal wage and hour rules also apply, so it helps to know the basics in the Department of Labor FLSA standards before you set pay and classify the role.
Hiring an Accountant Without a Finance Department
Corporate accountant templates assume a finance team, specialized roles, and a controller to manage them. A small business has none of that. The accountant is a generalist, reports straight to the owner, and often handles payroll and tax coordination too. Here is how to write the accountant posting for that reality.
Your accountant is often a generalist, not a specialist
Large companies split finance into AP, AR, tax, and reporting. A small business needs one person who does all of it, often including payroll and coordinating with an outside CPA. Use the small business generalist template and describe the real, broad scope rather than copying a narrow corporate role.
You may not need a full-time hire yet
Many small businesses do not have enough work for a full-time accountant. A part-time or fractional accountant gives you professional finance support on a defined scope and budget. If that fits, use the part-time template and be specific about hours and deliverables rather than overhiring.
Accountant and bookkeeper are not the same role
A bookkeeper records transactions. An accountant interprets the numbers, prepares statements, and supports decisions and tax. Be clear which one you actually need. Posting for an accountant when you need a bookkeeper, or the reverse, wastes time and sets the wrong pay expectations.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the foundation for the offer letter and the onboarding plan. An accountant needs careful onboarding because they handle sensitive financial data and systems from early on, and they quickly become central to your operations.
Give your new accountant access to your accounting software, historical records, and clear expectations about reporting and deadlines in the first weeks. Once you have your offer ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives them a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, and onboarding workflow in one place so a small business can manage the full process without a dedicated HR department.
Key Takeaways
An accountant job description should make the level and scope unmistakable, since the title spans staff accountant to controller.
Use the template that matches the role: general, staff, senior, small business generalist, part-time, or controller.
Write concrete duties. Prepare monthly financial statements in compliance with GAAP beats the vague manage financial records.
Reserve a CPA requirement for senior and controller roles. For most postings, list it as preferred to keep your pool wide.
Use BLS data as a baseline: accountants and auditors earn a median of about $81,680, ranging from under $52,780 to over $141,420.
For a small business without a finance team, hire a generalist or a part-time accountant and describe the broad, real scope honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an accountant do?
An accountant maintains and examines financial records to keep a business accurate, compliant, and informed. Core duties include managing the general ledger, handling accounts payable and receivable, reconciling accounts, preparing financial statements, supporting tax filings, and ensuring records follow generally accepted accounting principles. In a small business, an accountant often does all of this alone and may also run payroll and coordinate with an outside CPA. The exact scope depends on the company and the level of the role, which is why a clear job description matters. It tells candidates whether they will process transactions, lead the close, or own the entire finance function.
What should an accountant job description include?
A strong accountant job description includes a short job summary, 8 to 10 specific responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications, the reporting line, a salary range, and how to apply. Responsibilities should be concrete: instead of manage financial records, write prepare monthly financial statements in compliance with GAAP and reconcile all accounts. Qualifications should separate must-haves like accounting experience and software proficiency from nice-to-haves like a CPA. For a small business, also describe the breadth of the role honestly, since the accountant may handle payroll and tax coordination on top of core accounting work.
What is the difference between a staff accountant and a senior accountant?
A staff accountant is typically an entry to mid-level role with 1 to 3 years of experience, focused on processing transactions, maintaining the general ledger, and supporting the month-end close under supervision. A senior accountant has more experience, usually 3 to 7 years, and takes on complex reconciliations, leads the close, analyzes financial results, and often mentors junior staff. The senior role involves more judgment, analysis, and oversight. When writing your posting, match the title and responsibilities to the actual level, since labeling a junior role senior or vice versa attracts the wrong candidates and sets incorrect pay expectations.
Do I need to require a CPA?
Not always. A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is valuable and signals advanced expertise, but requiring one narrows your applicant pool and raises the salary you will need to offer. For many small business roles, including general and staff accountant positions, a CPA is preferred rather than required. Reserve a CPA requirement for senior, controller, or roles involving audits, complex compliance, or signing off on filings. List the CPA as a preferred qualification for most postings so you attract strong candidates without unnecessarily excluding capable accountants who do not hold the credential.
What salary range should I list for an accountant?
Set your range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for level and location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that accountants and auditors earn a median of about $81,680 per year, with the lowest 10 percent under $52,780 and the highest 10 percent over $141,420. Staff accountants sit toward the lower end, while senior accountants and controllers earn more. A CPA typically commands a premium. Always include a range in your posting, since many states now require pay transparency and a clear range attracts more qualified applicants while filtering out mismatches.
How do I write an accountant job description for a small business without a finance team?
Describe the role as a generalist who owns the entire finance function rather than a specialist in one area. Be honest that the accountant will wear many hats: bookkeeping, payroll, tax coordination, and reporting, often as the only finance person reporting directly to the owner. Use realistic requirements rather than a long corporate wish list, and emphasize versatility and independence. If the workload does not justify a full-time hire, consider a part-time or fractional accountant instead. The small business generalist and part-time templates here are written specifically for companies without a dedicated finance department.
What is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records and organizes daily financial transactions, while an accountant interprets that data, prepares financial statements, ensures compliance, and supports decisions and tax. The accountant is the more analytical, higher-level role. The pay reflects this: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of about $49,210 for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, compared with about $81,680 for accountants and auditors. Before you post, decide which you actually need. A growing small business often starts with a bookkeeper and adds an accountant, or hires one generalist accountant who covers both, as it scales.
What happens after I hire an accountant?
Once a candidate accepts, the job description becomes the basis for the offer letter and the onboarding plan. An accountant needs structured onboarding because they handle sensitive financial data and systems from early on. Give them access to your accounting software, historical records, and clear expectations about reporting and deadlines. Setting this up well in the first weeks pays off quickly, since the accountant becomes central to your operations. FirstHR handles the offer letter, document collection, and onboarding workflow in one place, so a small business can move a new accountant from hire to fully effective without a dedicated HR department.
