Accountant Job Description Template (With Skills and KPIs)
Jatin Kashyap
Growth Lead, Acrapath
Copy this accountant job description template with daily, monthly and yearly duties, skills, qualifications by level and KPIs, plus tips to customise it.
Key Takeaways
A good accountant job description names the accounting scope (bookkeeping, tax, payroll, reporting), the software used and the compliance the person will own.
List 7–10 responsibilities grouped by daily, monthly and yearly work, so candidates see the real workload.
Ask for qualifications that match the level: B.Com or equivalent for accounts executives, and CA, CPA, ACCA or similar only where the role truly needs it.
Add 3–4 KPIs, such as month-end close in 5 working days or zero late tax filings.
Copy the template below and customise it in about 10 minutes.
A strong accountant keeps your business out of trouble: invoices raised on time, vendors paid correctly, taxes filed before deadlines and books that make sense when an investor or auditor asks. A weak hire creates problems you may not discover for months.
That's why your accountant job description should be specific. "Handle accounts" attracts everyone from data-entry clerks to chartered accountants. A clear post tells the right candidates exactly what you need.
Below is a copy-ready template, plus the responsibilities, skills, qualifications and KPIs to include at each level.
What Does an Accountant Do?
An accountant records, checks and reports a company's financial transactions so the business stays compliant and leaders can make decisions. Typical work includes bookkeeping, reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, payroll support, tax filings, month-end closing and financial reports.
The title covers several levels. Make yours clear:
Level | Typical scope | Typical qualification |
|---|---|---|
Accounts assistant | Data entry, invoices, basic reconciliations | B.Com or equivalent, often fresher |
Accounts executive / accountant | Full bookkeeping, taxes, month-end, payroll support | B.Com or M.Com, 1–4 years |
Senior accountant | Close, reporting, audits, review of others' work | 4–8 years; CA Inter, CMA or similar may help |
Accounts manager | Owns the function, compliance and team | Often CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent |
Accountant Job Description Template
Copy this into your job post and replace the square brackets. It follows the structure in our guide on how to write a job description.
Job title: Accountant [or Accounts Executive / Senior Accountant]
Location: [City / Hybrid / Remote]
Employment type: Full-time
Reports to: [Finance Manager / Founder / CFO]
About us: [Two or three sentences about your business, its size and where it operates.]
About the role: We're looking for an Accountant to manage our day-to-day accounting and compliance in [country or countries]. You'll keep our books accurate in [Tally / Zoho Books / QuickBooks / Xero], handle [GST / VAT / sales tax] and TDS or withholding filings, support payroll, and close the books every month. You'll work with [our external CA / auditors] and report to [role].
What you'll do:
Daily and weekly
Record sales, purchases, expenses and bank transactions accurately
Raise customer invoices and follow up on overdue payments
Process vendor bills and schedule payments
Reconcile bank and cash accounts
Monthly
Close the books within [5–7] working days
Prepare and file [GST / VAT] returns and TDS or withholding payments
Support payroll processing and statutory deductions such as [PF, ESI, professional tax]
Prepare monthly reports: profit and loss, balance sheet, receivables and payables ageing
Quarterly and yearly
Support statutory and tax audits and provide schedules
Help prepare annual financial statements and tax returns with [external CA]
Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules
What you'll bring:
[B.Com / M.Com / equivalent degree in accounting or finance]
[1–4] years of hands-on accounting experience
Working knowledge of [GST / VAT], TDS or withholding tax and payroll basics in [country]
Experience with [accounting software] and strong Excel skills
Attention to detail and the habit of checking your own work
Nice to have:
[CA Inter / CMA / ACCA part-qualified]
Experience in [industry] or with multi-entity accounts
Exposure to ERP systems
What we offer:
Salary: [range]
[Benefits: health insurance, leave, learning support for professional exams]
[Work setup and hours, including expectations around month-end and audits]
How to apply: [Steps and timeline. For example: "Apply with your CV. Shortlisted candidates complete a 30-minute practical accounting test."]
Responsibilities and KPIs to Include
Grouping duties by daily, monthly and yearly work shows candidates the real rhythm of the job. Add a few KPIs so they know how performance will be judged.
Month-end close time: books closed within an agreed number of working days.
Compliance: tax returns and statutory payments filed on time, with no penalties.
Accuracy: few corrections from reviewers or auditors.
Receivables: overdue invoices followed up and days sales outstanding kept in range.
Skills and Qualifications
Technical: double-entry bookkeeping, reconciliations, tax basics for your country, payroll deductions, financial statements.
Software: your accounting package plus Excel (lookups, pivot tables, SUMIFS).
Soft skills: accuracy, confidentiality, clear communication with vendors and colleagues, and managing deadlines.
Be careful with qualifications. Requiring a CA or CPA for a bookkeeping role narrows your pool and raises salary expectations without adding much value. Match the qualification to the level in the table above.
If you're hiring an analyst rather than an accountant, the skills differ. Our jobseeker guide to financial analyst interview questions shows what analyst candidates prepare for, which helps you pitch the role correctly.
How to Customise the Template
Name the software. Candidates with the same tool ramp up faster.
Name the countries and taxes. Accounting rules differ by country, so be specific.
Describe month-end and audit expectations. Busy periods matter to candidates.
Set the level clearly. Use the title and experience range from the table.
Mention support for exams. Learning support attracts ambitious candidates studying for professional qualifications.
Add a short practical test. A 30-minute task reveals more than a CV.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
"Handle all accounts work." Too vague to attract the right level.
No software named. You'll spend interviews finding out who can use it.
Over-qualifying the role. A CA for data entry leads to quick exits.
Hiding busy seasons. Mention month-end and audit pressure honestly.
Skipping the practical test. Accounting skill is easy to check and costly to get wrong.
After You Post
Shortlist on the evidence that matters: the software they've used, the size of books they've handled and the filings they've owned. Then run a short practical test, such as recording ten transactions and preparing a bank reconciliation. For interview questions and a fuller process, see our guide to hiring an accountant and the finance section of our interview questions to ask candidates.
Hiring in other functions too? Our sales executive job description template uses the same structure.
Conclusion
A clear accountant job description spells out the scope, the software, the taxes and compliance the person will own, and the level you're hiring for. Copy the template, group duties by daily, monthly and yearly work, add a few KPIs and include a short practical test.
You'll get applications from people who can actually keep your books clean.
Need a reliable accountant soon? Hire verified finance professionals through Acrapath.
- #accountant job description
- #accounts executive
- #finance hiring
- #JD template
- #recruitment
Frequently asked questions
What should an accountant job description include?
Include the accounting scope, the software used, the taxes and compliance the person will handle, duties grouped by daily, monthly and yearly work, required qualifications and experience, a few KPIs, salary and benefits, and your hiring steps, ideally with a short practical test.
What qualifications should an accountant have?
For accounts assistants and executives, a B.Com, M.Com or equivalent degree with hands-on experience is usually enough. Senior accountants may benefit from part-qualified professional exams. Accounts managers often hold a CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent. Match the qualification to the level of the role.
What KPIs are used for accountants?
Common KPIs include time to close the books each month, on-time tax and statutory filings with no penalties, accuracy measured by reviewer or audit corrections, reconciliation status, and receivables metrics such as days sales outstanding. Two to four KPIs are enough for a job description.
What is the difference between an accountant and an accounts executive?
The titles often overlap. In many companies an accounts executive handles day-to-day bookkeeping, invoices and reconciliations, while an accountant also owns month-end close, tax filings and reports. Describe the actual responsibilities rather than relying on the title alone.
Should I give accounting candidates a test?
Yes. A short practical test, such as recording transactions, preparing a bank reconciliation or spotting errors in a ledger, quickly shows real skill. Keep it to around 30 minutes, relevant to your work and the same for every candidate.