Career comparison
Accountant vs. Financial Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Financial managers earn more at the median ($166,570 vs. $83,680), while accountants usually get to work faster (4+ years of training). Accountants prepare and examine financial records, taxes and reports that guide business decisions. Financial managers guide an organization’s money, reports and financial plans.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Accountant | Financial Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $83,680 ($40.23/hr) | $166,570 ($80.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $56,020 – $144,090 | $94,310 – $323,270 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | +9.7% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 115,300 | 65,600 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4+ years | 5+ years of experience |
| Key credential | CPA | CPA |
| Work setting | Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and their own practices. | Financial managers work in offices at companies, banks, governments and nonprofits.. |
What each job does
Accountant
- 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
Financial Manager
- Prepare financial reports
- Lead budgeting and forecasting
- Manage cash and investments
- Oversee accounting staff
- Work with auditors
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, desk work, high-pay, and in-demand. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose accountant if…
- I enjoy working with numbers and finding answers in data
- I’m detail-oriented and careful
- I value a stable, respected profession
Choose financial manager if…
- I love numbers
- I like advising leaders
- I’m detail-oriented
Still torn? Take the Accountant fit quiz and the Financial Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, accountant or financial manager?
Financial Managers earn more at the median: $166,570 versus $83,680 for accountants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Accountants typically train faster (4+ years) than financial managers (5+ years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects financial managers to grow +9.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.0% for accountants.