Business & Finance

Accountant

Tracks, verifies, and reports an organization's financial activity accurately.

Content last reviewed: August 2026

An accountant records and verifies financial transactions, prepares financial statements, and ensures an organization's books comply with accounting standards and tax law. Day-to-day work varies by specialty: a tax accountant focuses heavily on tax law and filings, particularly around deadlines; an auditor reviews another organization's records for accuracy; a corporate accountant closes the books each month and prepares internal reports.

Accuracy and documentation are constant themes, accountants are expected to be able to show exactly how a number was derived, since financial statements often get reviewed by auditors, regulators, or company leadership.

Core tasks

✓Recording and reconciling financial transactions
✓Preparing financial statements and reports
✓Ensuring compliance with accounting standards and tax law
✓Assisting with or conducting audits
✓Preparing tax filings (in tax-focused roles)
✓Analyzing financial data for accuracy and trends

Tools & skills used

Accounting softwareSpreadsheet proficiencyUnderstanding of accounting standards (GAAP or equivalent)Attention to detail and accuracyTax law knowledge (for tax-focused roles)Clear documentation practices

Typical entry paths

→Accounting is the direct major
→Many accounting careers, especially public accounting, expect or require progress toward a CPA license

Common misconceptions

It's not just data entry; accountants interpret financial standards and make judgment calls, especially in auditing and tax work.
The field has specialties (tax, audit, corporate, forensic) that involve quite different day-to-day work despite sharing the same title.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Accountant do?

Tracks, verifies, and reports an organization's financial activity accurately.

What are the core tasks of a Accountant?

Day to day, this typically includes: Recording and reconciling financial transactions; Preparing financial statements and reports; Ensuring compliance with accounting standards and tax law.

What tools or skills does a Accountant use?

Common tools and skills for this role include Accounting software, Spreadsheet proficiency, Understanding of accounting standards (GAAP or equivalent), Attention to detail and accuracy.

How do people typically become a Accountant?

Accounting is the direct major. Many accounting careers, especially public accounting, expect or require progress toward a CPA license.

What's a common misconception about being a Accountant?

It's not just data entry; accountants interpret financial standards and make judgment calls, especially in auditing and tax work.

What college majors lead to becoming a Accountant?

Majors that commonly lead here include Accounting, Finance, Business Administration. A major shapes what you study, it isn't a guarantee of landing this specific role.

This describes what the role typically involves day to day. It's not a guarantee of hiring, salary, or advancement, actual responsibilities vary by employer, industry, and location. See our disclaimer.