Career Tips  Quiz Yourself  What's in a Title?  Accounting/Finance Links  Find jobs with Olsten Financial Staffing What Do Those Job Titles Mean? There are many different job titles in the Accounting and Finance marketplace. Did you ever wonder just what a particular title means? Well, below you'll find a list of some job titles and accompanying descriptions that might help you, whether you are looking for a job or trying to write a requisition: Accountant Reports to the general accounting manager or senior accountant. An entry-level position for a degreed accountant, or a role for an individual with less than three years of experience. Responsibilities vary depending on company structure, but include: general ledger maintenance and financial statement analysis and preparation. May also include: accounts payable and accounts receivable reconciliations or bookkeeping functions. Accounts Payable Reports to an AP supervisor, with assigned detailed responsibilities in one or more of the following functions: accounts payable and inventory or cost accounting.   Other tasks include: matching, batching, coding, preparation and interpretation of the aging schedule, manual and computerized checks, expense reimbursements, cash management and discounts. Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable reports to a general accounting manager or an AR supervisor or credit manager, with assigned detailed responsibilities in one or more of the following functions: billing, inventory or cost accounting, cash application, bank deposits, preparation of aging schedule, customer account maintenance and reconciliation, credit memos, chargebacks and collections. Bookkeeper Responsible for the entire accounting cycle. Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual adjustments of journal entries. In charge of supporting schedules for general ledger accounts and performs bank reconciliations. Prepares monthly and year-end financial statements with limited supervision. Assistant Bookkeeper Handles any or all of the following functions: accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and bank reconciliations. Certified Public Accountant Prepares monthly and annual financial statements, financial reports, quarterly and annual payroll and tax return filings and preparation of annual audit. Duties also include: SEC work, preparation of 10Ks and 10Qs, assistance with corporate, partnership and individual tax returns and involvement in special projects where a CPA is specifically requested. Controller At a corporate level, responsibilities include: financial planning, general accounting, internal accounting systems and procedures, protection of corporation assets and, in organizations without a specific financial planning and analysis department, forecasting and budgeting. In smaller companies which do not have specialists in these areas, may also have functional responsibilities in tax and cash management/ treasury. Directs and supervises the work of all general accounting personnel through an assistant corporate controller or general accounting manager. In many organizations, this person also has responsibility for data processing functions. Reports to the CFO, or in companies without a CFO, to the president. Cost Accounting Manager/ Supervisor Reports to the corporate controller. Responsible for developing and enhancing the product or job cost information. Supervises individuals who make allocations to proper cost centers or who perform other cost duties. Other responsibilities include: preparation of timely accurate labor, material and overhead reports, inventory accounting, reviewing the allocation of overhead costs, and other special cost or product studies. Senior Cost Accountant Reports to the cost manager or supervisor. Also involved in reviewing components of cost allocations, tracking inventory, updating standards and special cost studies. Staff Cost Accountant Reports to the cost accounting manager with assigned responsibilities in the following areas: cost information, generating reports and cost analysis. Credit and Collections Manager Reports to the treasurer or controller. Conducts credit investigations and approves credit lines of customers/clients. Reviews active accounts receivable and agings. Handles/supervises collections department. Must be knowledgeable with laws and regulations governing credit, lien laws and collection litigation. Data Entry Clerk Handles alpha and/or numeric input. Position requires accuracy and general computer literacy. Payroll Assistant/Clerk Reports to the payroll supervisor or a general accounting manager. Handles data entry and auditing of timecards, preparation or payroll checks and processing of 1099s and W-2s. Duties vary depending on the size of the company. Senior Accountant Reports to the general accounting manager or the assistant controller. Has significant responsibilities in the preparation of audit schedules and related items, especially during the company's annual independent audit.   May also be responsible for special reports and analysis involving financial data. Tax Director/Manager Reports to the corporate controller or, in some entities, to the CFO. Advises the company on the tax benefits of proposed investments, business ventures, acquisitions and divestitures or other strategic financial decisions related to taxation. Determines the organization's tax liability to all applicable taxing authorities. Engages in research as to the effect of proposed tax law changes and the accounting treatment of various tax laws. Tax Senior/ Staff Reports to the tax manager, with various assigned responsibilities in the areas described in Tax Director/Manager. Typically responsible for reviewing and preparation of tax returns, and research on related tax-compliance issues.