MightyRecruiterA job description is the first source of information that can give jobseekers a taste of what your company and the specific opening can offer them. If the explanation is vague and poorly-written, it will likely not attract very many qualified candidates. However, a well-written job description can attract the top talent in the industry and make your job of finding said talent easier.
In order to create this outstanding presentation of information, you have to know what elements to include in your description and how to include them. Should you use an abundance of catchy keywords that will intrigue applicants so they want to learn more? What follows is a well-written Accounting Specialist job description sample that you can use to make writing your own description a little bit easier.
Accounting Specialist Job Summary
In this position you will work with other members of the accounting team to manage the payroll and process invoices. You will work closely with accountants in accounts payable, account reconciliation and general ledger accounting.
Accounting Specialist Job Responsibilities
- Assist in the preparation of the company budget to help meet all financial goals
- Process and organize invoices to ensure bills are paid and received in a timely manner
- Manage and update payroll information to ensure all employees get accurate compensation
- Review ledgers, statements and balance sheets for accuracy
- Record financial information and provide summaries when necessary
- Recommend actions to stop misuse of budget and reduce loss
- Maintain accounts by recording, identifying and verifying financial transactions
- Follow internal accounting procedures and policies to ensure financial security is maintained
- Attend conferences, workshops and other educational meetings to stay up-to-date on new technologies
- Collaborate with others in the accounting department to ensure all financial actions are accurate
Accounting Specialist Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
- 2-3 years of experience in accounts payable or accounting
- Technical knowledge of accounting regulations, policies and procedures
- Strong computer skills including accounting databases, Excel and other software
- Detail- and deadline-oriented
- Ability to thoroughly analyze and research information
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Company Profile
Bud’s Flowers and More was established in 2001. Ever since then we have been working hard to ensure our clients get top quality flowers, arrangements and decorations. No matter what the project, we work hard so our customers will be happy with the products they receive. Our innovation, family-values and hard work have made us a leading flower shop in the greater Detroit area.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- While the above Accounting Specialist job description sample is well-written, occasionally you need to create something without an outline. When that happens, you need to have a clear idea of the best practices for writing this kind of explanation. Use the following best practice tips to ensure you write a job description that will attract the top tier talent.
- Advertise the aspects of your company that make it different from your competitors, such as the values, culture and history. This information will help attract employees with similar values.
- Make the submission process easy by clearly stating how applicants can get in touch with the hiring manager. If the submission isn’t easy, you won’t get as many applicants.
- If you have to create a new job title, make sure it is descriptive. You don’t want a job title that is more than five words, and it should be obvious what kind of job it is from the title.
- Give the candidates a clear picture of the position by using direct language. Include action words to make the responsibility section more engaging and informative.
- Always include specific requirements and responsibilities, so you can eliminate unqualified applicants early in the process. Posting anything too vague will invite a wider variety of applicants to apply.
- Focus on format as you write your job description. You want to create short paragraphs and use bullet points when possible.
- Post specific salary information if you can. Always be sure to check the company policies before you include any information about salary or other benefits.
- Work with employees currently in the department, so you can include the most accurate information possible. This may give you more insight into the day-to-day responsibilities too.
As you work on your own description, you have to use the tools and resources that are available. Looking at the best practices and using the Accounting Specialist job description sample listed above is a great place to start. Do your best to create a rock solid job description from the start, so your task of filling the Accounting Specialist position will be easier.
Accounting Specialist Job Responsibilities
Do not spend time reviewing unqualified candidate after unqualified candidate. This wastes your time and money, and you increase the risk of ultimately hiring the wrong person for the position. Instead, develop a strong accounting specialist job responsibilities section on your job posting to attract the right candidates. Plus, it details what applicants should expect, which increases job satisfaction and retention.
To get the right jobseekers to apply for the position, make it easy for them to skim the accounting specialist job description and still grasp the important components of the position. To do this, utilize bullet points. Focus on the key 6-8 duties or tasks of the position. Do not be afraid to go beyond the basic day-to-day responsibilities of the job. Include information about exciting projects your company undertakes or add some information that provides insight into the company culture. Make it easy for jobseekers to picture the job.
If you struggle with coming up with ideas, then incorporate one or more of the following on your accounting specialist job description:
- Record, identify and verify financial transactions for multiple departments
- Reconcile bank accounts through reviewing receipts and inputting information into accounting software
- Pay vendors other accounts payable on time and ensure no outstanding balances remain
- Communicate with billing department to determine how to handle outstanding invoices
Accounting Specialist Job Specifications
Another way to encourage only qualified candidates to apply is through having the right information in your job qualifications and skills section. You want to list the key education, training, skills and experience required for the position. Do not dismiss the importance of this section. Candidates review the accounting specialist job specifications to determine whether it is worth their time to even apply. If you have criteria that is either too soft or too strict, then you end up with over- or under-qualified candidates.
How do you determine what to include in this section? Consider the ideal candidate. Think about what type of experience and background he or she has. You also might wish to gather insight from your current accounting specialist and/or other key members of staff. Then, divide your list into must-have items, such as a basic degree or a certain amount of experience, and preferred items, such as a graduate degree or particular certification. You can include the two lists on your accounting specialist job description to inform candidates about what additional criteria you would like but that might not automatically leave them out of the running.
Looking for ideas of what to include? The following make for strong criteria for your accounting specialist job description:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance
- 1-3 years of experience in accounting
- Proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel
- Detail-oriented
