Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Accountant
What accountants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review subledger reports and post month-end accrual entries. From there, the day usually includes prepare and analyze financial statements, record journal entries and reconcile accounts, and prepare tax returns and tax planning. Usually full-time; tax season and year-end audits often require long hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an accountant working full time.
- Review subledger reports and post month-end accrual entries.
- Reconcile balance sheet accounts and investigate a variance in prepaid expenses.
- Meet with the operations manager about a budget overrun.
- Prepare a variance analysis explaining revenue and expense changes versus budget.
- Gather documents for external auditors and answer their questions.
- Draft the monthly financial package for leadership.
Where accountants work
Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and their own practices. The work is office-based and computer-intensive; many roles offer hybrid or remote options.
Hours and schedule
Usually full-time; tax season and year-end audits often require long hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prepare and analyze financial statements
- Record journal entries and reconcile accounts
- Prepare tax returns and tax planning
- Audit financial records and test internal controls
- Prepare budgets, forecasts and variance analyses
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax laws and regulations
- Advise managers and clients on financial decisions
Tools you’ll use every day
- Excel
- ERP systems such as NetSuite or SAP
- QuickBooks
- Tax software
- Audit software
- BI tools such as Power BI
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Stable, well-paid profession
- Needed in every industry
- CPA license opens many doors
- Clear advancement to controller and CFO
What’s hard
- Busy seasons with long hours
- Licensing requires significant education and exams
- Detail-heavy work
- Regulations change frequently
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I enjoy working with numbers and finding answers in data
- I’m detail-oriented and careful
- I value a stable, respected profession
- I’m willing to complete a four-year degree
- I can handle busy seasons
- I like advising people on decisions
Not sure? Take the free Accountant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain independence and objectivity, especially in audits
- Protect confidential financial and taxpayer data
- Follow professional ethics codes such as the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Report suspected fraud through proper channels