Accountants and Auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- O*NET-SOC code
13-2011.00 - Preparation Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$83,680
Employment, U.S.1,449,500
Median hourly wage$40.23
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $56,020 | $67,020 | $83,680 | $109,810 | $144,090 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 24,300 | $74,880 | 1.23 |
| Alaska | 2,190 | $83,460 | 0.72 |
| Arizona | 27,410 | $79,970 | 0.91 |
| Arkansas | 7,870 | $66,330 | 0.65 |
| California | 175,360 | $97,050 | 1.03 |
| Colorado | 35,410 | $97,030 | 1.32 |
| Connecticut | 16,770 | $97,550 | 1.06 |
| Delaware | 6,570 | $95,020 | 1.45 |
| District of Columbia | 9,810 | $111,530 | 1.50 |
| Florida | 91,000 | $79,250 | 0.98 |
| Georgia | 44,020 | $81,900 | 0.97 |
| Hawaii | 4,670 | $74,500 | 0.80 |
| Idaho | 5,570 | $74,730 | 0.70 |
| Illinois | 54,930 | $80,230 | 0.97 |
| Indiana | 25,660 | $77,720 | 0.86 |
| Iowa | 13,210 | $77,440 | 0.91 |
| Kansas | 13,610 | $79,000 | 1.02 |
| Kentucky | 11,930 | $75,270 | 0.64 |
| Louisiana | 14,050 | $73,810 | 0.78 |
| Maine | 3,860 | $77,480 | 0.65 |
| Maryland | 26,170 | $89,370 | 1.02 |
| Massachusetts | 46,230 | $99,460 | 1.36 |
| Michigan | 41,460 | $78,820 | 1.01 |
| Minnesota | 30,530 | $81,600 | 1.11 |
| Mississippi | 7,350 | $68,100 | 0.68 |
| Missouri | 28,000 | $76,590 | 1.02 |
| Montana | 4,730 | $75,810 | 0.99 |
| Nebraska | 10,340 | $72,080 | 1.08 |
| Nevada | 6,930 | $81,600 | 0.48 |
| New Hampshire | 7,000 | $83,470 | 1.10 |
| New Jersey | 42,250 | $100,830 | 1.06 |
| New Mexico | 6,300 | $78,580 | 0.78 |
| New York | 109,830 | $102,640 | 1.22 |
| North Carolina | 49,270 | $82,050 | 1.07 |
| North Dakota | 4,430 | $75,730 | 1.11 |
| Ohio | 50,440 | $79,320 | 0.97 |
| Oklahoma | 16,720 | $79,370 | 1.05 |
| Oregon | 14,920 | $85,800 | 0.81 |
| Pennsylvania | 54,290 | $79,000 | 0.96 |
| Rhode Island | 6,570 | $95,820 | 1.41 |
| South Carolina | 15,270 | $76,560 | 0.71 |
| South Dakota | 5,820 | $78,880 | 1.36 |
| Tennessee | 27,340 | $76,840 | 0.89 |
| Texas | 116,470 | $80,920 | 0.89 |
| Utah | 15,490 | $79,990 | 0.96 |
| Vermont | 2,630 | $78,890 | 0.93 |
| Virginia | 47,100 | $93,290 | 1.23 |
| Washington | 34,740 | $96,550 | 1.05 |
| West Virginia | 4,900 | $73,320 | 0.75 |
| Wisconsin | 25,100 | $79,400 | 0.92 |
| Wyoming | 2,670 | $77,620 | 1.02 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Budget Analysts | 4 | 0.978 |
| 2 | Credit Analysts | 4 | 0.971 |
| 3 | Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 4 | 0.969 |
| 4 | Investment Fund Managers | 5 | 0.968 |
| 5 | Tax Preparers | 3 | 0.967 |
| 6 | Financial Managers | 4 | 0.965 |
| 7 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | 4 | 0.963 |
| 8 | Personal Financial Advisors | 4 | 0.963 |
| 9 | Treasurers and Controllers | 4 | 0.962 |
| 10 | Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | 3 | 0.959 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Accountants and Auditors, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | Systems Analysis | 0.87 | 0.963 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | Systems Analysis | 0.87 | 0.963 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | Management of Material Resources | 1.26 | 0.937 |
| Administrative Services Managers | Management of Personnel Resources | 1.25 | 0.932 |
| Compliance Managers | Monitoring | 1.00 | 0.932 |
| Fundraising Managers | Social Perceptiveness | 0.87 | 0.932 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Accountants and Auditors, excluding software Accountants and Auditors already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Corel QuattroPro | 3 of 20 | 17.3x |
| Quicken | 3 of 20 | 10.7x |
| SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports | 3 of 20 | 7.3x |
| Microsoft Power BI | 3 of 20 | 5.5x |
| IBM Lotus 1-2-3 | 3 of 20 | 4.9x |
| Customer information control system CICS | 3 of 20 | 4.8x |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | 4 of 20 | 3.0x |
| MicroStrategy | 3 of 20 | 3.0x |
| Web browser software | 11 of 20 | 1.2x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.12 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 2.00 | not rated |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.38 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Economics and Accounting | 4.38 | 5.76 |
| English Language | 3.62 | 4.46 |
| Mathematics | 3.48 | 4.69 |
| Law and Government | 3.34 | 4.14 |
| Administration and Management | 3.31 | 4.28 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.28 | 4.18 |
| Administrative | 3.24 | 4.52 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.14 | 3.97 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.97 | 3.93 |
| Communications and Media | 2.31 | 2.59 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.14 | 2.79 |
| Telecommunications | 2.14 | 1.93 |
| Education and Training | 2.10 | 2.76 |
| Production and Processing | 2.03 | 2.17 |
| Psychology | 1.76 | 1.90 |
| Transportation | 1.72 | 1.52 |
| Public Safety and Security | 1.71 | 1.68 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.41 | 1.03 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.38 | 1.21 |
| Geography | 1.34 | 1.03 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.31 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.31 | 0.97 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.31 | 0.79 |
| Building and Construction | 1.29 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.28 | not rated |
| Design | 1.24 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.21 | not rated |
| Mechanical | 1.21 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.17 | not rated |
| Physics | 1.17 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.10 | not rated |
| Chemistry | 1.10 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.07 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Written Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Oral Expression | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Written Expression | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Number Facility | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Near Vision | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Information Ordering | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.88 | 3.12 |
| Originality | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Far Vision | 2.75 | 3.12 |
| Memorization | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Time Sharing | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Visualization | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Control Precision | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Depth Perception | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.12 | not rated |
| Rate Control | 1.12 | not rated |
| Reaction Time | 1.12 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.12 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.00 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Intuit QuickBooks in demand
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint in demand
- SAP software in demand
- Adobe Acrobat hot
- Alteryx software hot
- Epic Systems hot
- Google Docs hot
- Google Sheets hot
- IBM SPSS Statistics hot
- Intuit TurboTax hot
- MEDITECH software hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Project hot
- Microsoft SQL Server hot
- Microsoft SharePoint hot
- Microsoft Visio hot
- Microsoft Visual Basic hot
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Oracle Database hot
- Oracle PeopleSoft hot
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management hot
- R hot
- SAP Concur hot
- SAS hot
- Salesforce software hot
All 237
- Structured query language SQL hot
- Swift hot
- Tableau hot
- Teradata Database hot
- UNIX hot
- Workday software hot
- Yardi software hot
- 1099 ProsSoftware
- ACCUCert
- ACL Audit Exchange
- ACL Business Assurance Analytics
- ADP Super Report Writer
- ADP Workforce Now
- ATX Total Accounting Office
- ATX Total Engagement Office
- ATX Total Tax Office
- Abacus Tax
- Accountants Templates JAZZ-It!
- Accounting compliance software
- Accounting fraud detection software
- Accounts payable software
- Accounts receivable software
- Accurate NXG
- AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management
- AcorynSystems Activity Based Costing/Management ABC/M
- AdaptaSoft CyberPay
- Advanced Micro Systems 1099-Etc
- American Riviera Magtax
- Apache Solr
- Arbutus Analyzer
- Asset management software
- Audit management software
- Audit planning and control environment software
- AuditWare CaseWare Examiner
- AuditWare financial reporting and auditing software
- Automated auditors fraud detector software
- Automation Counselors municiPAL
- Avalara AvaTax ST
- BNA Corporate Tax Audit Analyzer
- BNA Estate and Gift Tax Suite
- BNA Income Tax Planning Solutions
- BNA Sales and Use Tax Rates and Forms
- Best MIP Fund Accounting
- Best Software CPAPayroll
- Bi3 Audit Intelligence
- Bi3 Financial Statement Fraud Analysis
- Billing software
- BizBench
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Brentmark Estate Planning Quickview
- CCH ProSystem fx TAX
- CCIS AccountAbility
- CPSI EHR System
- CYMA IV Accounting for Windows
- Cammack Computations Inter-Est
- Cartesis ES Magnitude
- Cartesis Magnitude iAnalysis
- CaseWare International IDEA
- CaseWare International IDEA SmartAnalyzer
- CaseWare Working Papers
- CashFlow Guardian
- Cebos MQ1 Audit System
- Choice Technologies PowerBill +
- Client billing software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Corporate Responsibility System Technologies Limited Compliance Positioning System
- Cost accounting software
- Creative Solutions UltraTax 1040
- D'Arcangelo Galileo
- Data entry software
- Data extraction software
- Database software
- Datavantage
- Delphi Technology
- Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for Excel
- Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for SAS
- Document management system software
- Eko
- Estate planning software
- Evron Computer Systems SAGE PFW (Platinum For Windows)
- Exact Software Macola ES
- FRx Software Microsoft FRx
- FileMaker Pro
- Financial Competence
- Financial reporting software
- Financial statement software
- Fixed-assets depreciation software
- Fund accounting software
- General ledger software
- Google Slides
- Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise
- H&R Block Tax
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Heron CrossTie General Ledger
- Human resource management software HRMS
- IAD Audit Leverage
- IBM Cognos Impromptu
- IBM Notes
- IBM Power Systems software
- IDMS Account Ability
- Income tax return preparation software
- InformationActive ActiveData for Excel
- Intellitax financial solutions software
- Internal audit software
- Intrax ProcedureNet
- Intuit Lacerte
- Intuit ProSeries
- Invoice software
- Iron Mountain Accutrac records management software
- KPB Associates TaxStream
- Kirix ProffiPoint
- Lawson ERP
- Lead Activity Analyzer
- Lead Business Analyzer
- LexisNexis
- Lumigent Entegra
- MRO Audit Tracker
- Medical condition coding software
- Medical procedure coding software
- MethodWare ProAudit Advisor
- Micronetics Xpert Write-up
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV
- Microsoft Dynamics SL
- Microsoft Exchange
- Microsoft FRx
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Works
- Multiview Accounts Receivable
- NetSuite ERP
- New Millennium Communications Genesis Accounting
- NewPortWave Year End Solutions
- NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
- OSI TrustWise
- OmniRIM Records Management Suite
- Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Fusion Applications
- Oracle Hyperion
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
- PROPHIX Enterprise
- Paisley AutoAudit
- Paisley Cardmap
- Paisley Focus Control Assurance
- Paisley IssueTrack
- Paisley RiskNavigator
- Palisade @Risk
- Payroll software
- Pentana audit work system PAWS
- Pleier Audit Management System
- Practice management software PMS
- PricewaterhouseCoopers TeamMate
- Pro Systems Client Write-Up System for Windows
- Profit Developers Electronic File Interchange
- Qlik Tech QlikView
- RSM McGladrey Advanced Practice Solutions Paperless Audit
- RSM McGladrey Auditor Assistant
- Recovery audit software
- Roundtable Software Advantage Accounting System
- SAP Business Objects
- SAP BusinessObjects Data Integrator
- SAP Crystal Reports
- Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Sage BusinessWorks
- Sage CPAAccounts Payable
- Sage CPAAccounts Receivable
- Sage CPAClient Checkbook
- Sage CPADocument Manager
- Sage EDP Payroll Tax
- Sage ERP Accpac
- Sage HRMS
- Sage HandiSoft HandiLedger
- Sage MAS 200 ERP
- Sage MAS 500
- Sage Platinum for Windows PFW
- Sageworks ProfitCents
- Sampson Data Pattern Index software
- Softrax Revenue Management
- Solutions Technology & Software HR Premier
- Star Software Fixed Asset Depreciation
- Star Software Materiality Calculator
- Summit Software Summit Biofuels Accounting
- Sync Essentials Trade Accountant
- Tax compliance property tax management software
- Tax software
- TechSmith Camtasia
- Thomson Creative Solutions Engagement CS
- Thomson Creative Solutions Financial Analysis CS
- Thomson GoSystem Tax
- Thomson PPC e-Tools Suite
- Thomson Reuters Risk Management
- TimeValue software
- TopCAATs
- TrendTracker Compliance Solution
- Tropics workers' compensation software
- Tumbleweed SecureTransport
- UA Business Software Professional Edition
- Universal Tax Systems TaxWise
- WizSoft WizRule
- WizSoft WizWhy
- WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
- Yardi Systems Yardi Enterprise
- eXtensible Business Reporting Language XBRL
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | 1,600 | 1.70 | $86,440 |
| Montgomery, AL | 2,530 | 1.64 | $75,040 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 550 | 1.64 | $100,420 |
| Birmingham, AL | 7,790 | 1.61 | $78,660 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 10,260 | 1.59 | $44,470 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 700 | 1.55 | $74,050 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 22,720 | 1.51 | $100,020 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 1,120 | 1.50 | $64,040 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 37,150 | 1.47 | $100,150 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 2,370 | 1.42 | $80,920 |