Account Specialist Job Description Template

A good job description is essential for matching your company with the talent it needs to thrive. A well-written job description saves both the applicant and the hiring manager time and effort by ensuring that a potential applicant knows right away whether or not he or she will be a good fit for the company. A bad job description, on the other hand, has the potential to leave a perfectly qualified applicant feeling too confused or intimidated to submit a resume. Use this account specialist job description sample to craft a winning job description of your own that will help you attract top talent.

Want to use this job description? Use template

Job Summary

As an account specialist, you will manage the needs of existing and potential customers. This includes creating price quotes, troubleshooting issues and following up with new customers in the region in which you are assigned. The individual assigned to this job also provides support to other areas in the accounting department such as the accounts
payable desk, general ledger accounting and account reconciliation. There is also a strong customer service component to this position, as account specialists are often the first line of contact customers have when something goes wrong with their account or with the billing process.

This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $40,000. We offer competitive benefits and a number of office perks including catered lunches and annual bonuses. Applicants have the option of working from home one day out of the week.

Job Responsibilities

An account specialist may be asked to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Process account payable checks on a regular schedule and in a timely manner

Input credit and debit payments into the company’s accounting system

Create and maintain accounts payable files for new and existing customers

Input ledger entries

Make changes to accounts including keeping contact information up to date

Self-audit and ensure that account balances are correct and accurate

Write and generate regular reports for the accounting department

Troubleshoot accounting problems and disputes for customers

Establish contact with new customers and help set up new accounts

Job Requirements

Requirements for a job as an account specialist include the following:
Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Finance or a related field
Two to three years of experience in accounts receivable or a similar accounting department
One year of experience managing employees or leading a project team
Experience in a field relating to customer service or similar
Knowledge of accounting rules, regulations and best practices in the area the hiring will take place
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Quickbooks
Detail oriented, professional and proficient in mathematics
Good oral and written communication skills
Experience in international business preferred but not required

Company Profile

ABC Accounting is a nationally recognized company with offices in three countries. Founded in 2010, we are one of the industry leaders in accounting for small businesses and start-ups. In 2013, we were awarded the prestigious National Accounting Prize to honor our success as a growing business. We pride ourselves on having a dynamic team of employees who treat each day at the office as a chance to grow.

Best Practices

The above account specialist job description sample should get you started on creating a winning job description for your business. However, chances are you will need to make some changes in order to get it to reflect what you are looking for in an applicant. Use these best practice tips to craft the perfect account specialist job description for a company of any size, area of specialization and make up.
- Do include all essential information in a summary at the beginning of the job description
- Do be clear about whether the position is full or part time
- Don’t overdo it on the technical language, even if the position is a technical one
- Do be specific about the skills and qualifications you are looking for in an applicant
- Do tell applicants how to apply and whether you have a preferred format for resumes and other documents
- Don’t discuss salary or compensation if it is against company policy to do so
- Do indicate where the job is located and whether telecommuting or working from home is allowed

Want to use this job description?

Use template

View All Job Descriptions

Account Specialist Job Responsibilities

When writing an account specialist job description, it is important to provide potential candidates with a clearly defined list of account specialist job responsibilities. This section of the description is one of the most important, and if the job interests a person, this section will usually be responsible for enticing him or her to apply. For this reason, it is immensely important to tailor your responsibilities section to potential candidates.

During the writing process, you will want to organize this section using bullets to make the content more readable. Each entry should contain information about the required task and its outcome so readers can develop an idea of what they will be doing once you hire them. Try to avoid including too many responsibilities and using vague language. Unreasonably long lists of responsibilities frequently intimidated jobseekers.

Here are some examples of responsibilities to include in your account specialist job description:

Take incoming calls from clients and vendors and professionally respond to any questions or concerns.
Keep track of account and billing information and turn information over to other departments when necessary
Contact clients and vendors about unpaid expenses and outstanding balances. Make payment arrangements when necessary
Regularly consult with department head and discuss any relevant issues and problems
Ensure the electronic storage and organization of receipts of payment and other important financial documents

Account Specialist Job Specifications

To many recruiters and hiring managers, the job qualifications and skills section of the account specialist job description appears short and relatively insignificant. Despite its humble appearance, this section is extremely important, and it is responsible for outlining the tasks and duties you will require the jobseeker to carry out if you hire him or her.

For this reason, it is important to write a section that gives the reader an accurate overview of what you will expect of them. If you fail to do this, you could attract candidates who lack the skills and qualifications needed to perform the job correctly. Be sure your section contains any necessary information about the education, personality traits and other qualities deemed necessary.

Before writing your account specialist job description, it can be helpful to decide what skills are necessary, such as customer service experience and bookkeeping knowledge, and what skills are merely desirable. Encourage applicants to apply even if they do not have the desired skills, but do so by placing an emphasis on the required skills. Here are some examples of account specialist job specifications to include in a description:

At least two years of relevant work history in the customer service or billing industry
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Basic knowledge of bookkeeping practices
Excellent interpersonal skills
Associate’s degree or higher preferred