A Breakdown of the Accounting Roles in High Demand
Accounting careers are changing along with the industry, and the demand for accountants is increasing as companies rely on them to make critical business decisions. Colorado Network Staffing breaks down three of the most lucrative accounting career paths found in the areas of Public Accounting, Company Management, and IT Consulting. We help place our candidates in many roles based on their career expectations and educate them on requirements for the following positions:
- Public Accounting, Audit and Tax – Accounting Partner/Manager, Financial Director, Associate Accountant, or Accounting Generalist/Specialist
- Company Management – Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance, Controller, or Staff Accountant
- IT Consulting – Accounting Solutions Architect, Accounting Integrator, ERP Consultant, Accounting Systems Consultant
Every accounting job requires knowledge of financial management and analysis, but there is also an expected level of technology skills depending on the role you choose. We begin by defining your career path based on interests, goals, and work preferences. Then determine what level of education or skill sets are necessary to succeed.
Public Accounting
The CPA deals primarily with auditing and financial analysis, blending the skills of legal and financial advisors and providing high-level financial insight that helps businesses achieve key goals. They analyze accounting trends and guide leaders on the best way to grow and maintain stability.
Gaining the specialized skills and certifications for this role requires passing a CPA exam. It offers more options for jobs ranging from independent consultants to financial directors.
Company Management
Accountant careers can tie into areas of company management and C-suite leadership. Many organizations have a dedicated financial team directed by managers who report to a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The career path begins as part of an accounting team and moves to leadership as responsibility increases. Accounting management is entrusted with the power to make guiding decisions.
C-suite financial directors and CFOs manage an organization’s financial activities, including budgets, planning and strategy, and economic forecasting. They have a lot of experience with financial management and business development to monitor and maintain financial health while discovering ways to grow the company.
IT Consulting
Finance and technology industries have intersected and are now referred to as “fintech,” making accounting technology an essential ingredient in modern accounting. There is a high demand for accounting IT consultants who can integrate accounting systems with other business applications and automate these processes. Technology skills are more important in these roles than accounting degrees or certifications. Applicants must be familiar with how digital accounting processes are managed in the cloud and share data with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
The demand for finance and accounting professionals is expected to introduce more than 750,800 new jobs by 2030. Companies are scrambling to find new talent with updated skills. The following explores more job titles, along with average salaries and projected growth within the industry:
Controller and Assistant Controller – preparing financial statements and reports that summarize and forecast a business’s activity and financial position. Developing internal policies and procedures for budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting functions.
Average Salary: $225,258
10-Year Projected Growth: 17%
Financial Manager – generating financial reports and developing strategies to help meet the long-term financial health and goals of an organization.
Average Salary: $134,180
10-Year Projected Growth: 17%
Management Consultant/Analysts – proposing improvements for operational efficiencies to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.
Average Salary: $89,646
10-Year Projected Growth: 14%
To reach these higher paying jobs, you might begin with the following roles:
Tax accountant – preparing federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals, businesses, or other organizations.
Average Salary: $88,201
10-Year Projected Growth: 10%
Financial Analyst – examining an organization’s past financial and investment data and estimating future revenues and expenses to guide investment decisions and economic forecasting.
Average Salary: $83,660
10-Year Projected Growth: 6%
Accounting Manager – overseeing the operations of an organization’s accounting department. Analyzing and reporting financial information, assisting with tax processing, and creating financial statements for the company’s board of directors.
Average Salary: $79,000
10-Year Projected Growth: 7%
Budget Analyst or Auditor – organizing finances, preparing budget reports, and monitoring spending and internal controls for risk and improvements. Conducting regular reviews of financial plans for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance to meet business objectives.
Average Salary: $78,970
10-Year Projected Growth: 5%
Staff Accountant – preparing, maintaining, and examining the accuracy of financial statements for an organization. Ensuring financial records (tax returns, income, and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements) are compliant with federal laws, regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Identifying and resolving discrepancies in records, reports, or documented transactions.
Average Salary: $73,560
10-Year Projected Growth: 7%
Contacting Colorado Network Staffing for Finance and Accounting Careers
If you have skills in finance, technology, and communication, and the roles listed above sound interesting to you, we can connect you with accounting jobs in Denver. Let Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) evaluate your skills, then find ways to sharpen and update your expertise to target companies that are looking for people like you. Our clients hire us to find candidates with the right assets for their accounting teams in this fast-paced business sector. Contact us at 303-430-1441, and discover your new career!
