Chief Accountant

Chief accountants are responsible to ensure that all financial transactions are properly recorded and reported in a timely fashion, and they often play an active role in helping to develop and implement the company’s overall accounting strategy.

A chief accountant typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Reviewing financial statements and reporting on any errors or anomalies in accounting methodology
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders such as attorneys and external parties such as customers or suppliers
• Preparing financial statements for external reporting purposes such as tax returns, regulatory filings, and stock offerings
• Monitoring cash flow to ensure that bills are paid on time and that there is enough money available to cover upcoming expenses
• Preparing reports on company performance including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow analyses
• Reviewing financial records, contracts, and other documentation to determine accuracy and completeness of data
• Participating in or leading internal audits to assess the effectiveness of internal controls within an organization’s financial management system
• Conducting research to identify new accounting methods or procedures which could improve efficiency or effectiveness of operations
• Identifying issues with accounting processes or procedures that could lead to future errors or misinterpretations of data
• Most employers require chief accountants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting. Relevant coursework includes financial accounting, auditing, taxation and business law.