Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $100 CAD credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored jobs are 4.5X more likely to result in a hire.**
  • Invite matched candidates to apply
  • Increase your visibility in job search results
  • Appear to more candidates longer

Junior Accountant Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Junior Accountant, or Junior Staff Accountant, is a professional who holds an entry-level position in an accounting firm or a company’s accounting department. Their duties include preparing financial reports, maintaining accounts payable and receivable, and updating financial statements.

The duties and responsibilities of a Junior Accountant can vary from one company to another. However, general responsibilities include:

  • Assisting senior accountants in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual closings
  • Preparing and submitting weekly and monthly financial reports
  • Updating financial data in databases to ensure the accuracy of the information
  • Assisting with reviewing payroll records and expenses, among other items as assigned
  • Assisting in the processing of income statements, balance sheets, and other financial statements as per the company’s legal, financial, and accounting guidelines
  • Performing reconciliations, updating accounts payable and receivable, and issuing invoices
  • Processing financial entries to ensure a proper recording of all business transactions
  • Developing monthly financial statements that include profit and loss statements, cash flow records, and balance sheets
Build a Job Description

What does a Junior Accountant do?

A Junior Accountant assists with updating general ledgers and managing accounts. As such, they are typically tasked with discussing billing issues with vendors. In their communication with vendors, they provide basic customer service and answer questions that may arise. Considering that accounting departments must abide by provincial and federal regulations, a Junior Accountant assists with reviewing, preparing, and filing reports that confirm the company’s compliance. They take responsibility for maintaining, updating, and recording documentation of the company’s fixed assets.

Build a Job Description

Junior Accountant Job Description Examples:

Junior Accountant skills and qualifications

Accounting is primarily a people business, irrespective of how many numbers are involved in the job. In addition to being comfortable with financial calculations, a Junior Accountant must also demonstrate a level of customer service skill when interacting with clients. Therefore, a successful Junior Accountant candidate must have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, including: 

  • Advanced competency in accounting software
  • Excellent communication, IT, and report writing skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • High proficiency in mathematics and the ability to think critically
  • Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
  • Superb organizational skills and excellent attention to detail
  • Analytical mind with strong problem-solving and conceptual skills
  • Sound understanding of financial and accounting practices and principles

Junior Accountant experience requirements

As a basic requirement, a Junior Accountant generally has a minimum of one year of experience working as an Accountant or Accounts Clerk. They will also preferably have experience working with relevant accounting software, such as SAP.

Junior Accountant education and training requirements

A Junior Accountant must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or any other relevant field. In addition, they may also be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and should have excellent analytical skills.

Junior Accountant salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Junior Accountant is $43,258 per year. This may vary depending on the geographical location, company, and experience or job duties.

Job description samples for similar positions

Other job description samples are available to browse if a Junior Accountant is not quite what you are looking for, including:

Ready to Hire?Build a Job Description

Junior Accountant job description FAQs

What makes a great Junior Accountant?

An ideal Junior Accountant is diplomatic, ethical, and has well-developed people skills that enable them to create a good relationship with clients, as well as gain the trust of coworkers. They foster respectful and collaborative environments, which enables clients to make sound business decisions.

What core values should you expect from a Junior Accountant?

When hiring a Junior Accountant, consider core values such as professionalism, respect, and ethicality. A Junior Accountant should be able to cultivate professional cooperation among members and preserve a respected public image for their team. A Junior Accountant should promote the highest standards of ethical conduct and protect the interest of the company in public practice.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found