Accounting Director: Career Guide

What Does an Accounting Director do?

The accounting director oversees the accounting department, ensuring financial reports are accurate, compliant with regulations, and aligned with business objectives. They provide strategic leadership and guidance for financial decisions.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Accounting Directors in the Accounting field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Planning

• Oversees budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Develops long-term strategies for financial growth

Department Leadership

• Manages and supports the accounting team
• Ensures compliance with financial policies and standards

Reporting & Analysis

• Oversees preparation of financial reports and statements
• Analyzes financial data for decision-making insights

How to Become an Accounting Director

Launching a career as an Accounting Director requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• 10+ years of experience in senior financial roles
• Proven leadership and strategic financial planning experience

Requirements & Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in financial reporting and internal controls, including the development of financial and budget planning models, as well as experience with benchmarking tools.
• Skilled in using reporting tools, ERP systems, and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Effective leadership abilities with the capacity to supervise and foster a high-performance culture.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, along with demonstrated analytical skills to synthesize complex data for diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaboration skills, with a proven track record of building effective relationships across functional areas and with external and community partners.
• Capability to work with sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality.
• Transparent and open working style with a high level of professional integrity.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills and the ability to respond to a dynamic array of opportunities.
• Capacity to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to advance operational goals.

Accounting Director Salary Guide

Wondering what Accounting Directors earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

The average salary for an Accounting Director in the U.S. is approximately $112,650 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Accounting Directors may receive a wide range of benefits.

Accounting Director Salary Career Steps

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$140,813
Senior	11+ years	$123,915
Experienced	6-10 years	$112,650
Mid Level	3-5 years	$101,385
Entry Level	0-2 years	$84,488

How to Advance Your Career

Accounting Directors begin their careers with several years of experience in accounting or finance roles, often starting as accountants or auditors and progressing through senior positions.

As they gain experience, they may advance to roles such as Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, or Controller, before reaching the director level. At this stage, they are responsible for overseeing all accounting operations and might also be involved in strategic planning and financial reporting at the highest levels.

Further advancement can lead to executive positions such as Vice President of Finance or Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where they have a more strategic role in company finances and decision-making processes. Continuous professional development, through certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant), is crucial for progression at these senior levels.

Typical Work Environment

Accounting Directors typically work in office environments within corporate settings, where they oversee the accounting department's staff and operations.