All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Technology and automation are increasing efficiency in accounting tasks, making consultants with adaptability and niche expertise valuable. While there are many benefits to hiring an accounting consultant, businesses must also consider the costs. Risk mitigation is another significant benefit provided by accounting consultants. This analysis helps the consultant identify areas of strength and weakness within the company’s finances, which can guide strategic planning and decision-making.

On average, senior cost accountants earn a $2,994 higher salary per year. Senior staff accountants make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $67,353. On the other hand, accounting consultants are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $68,965. Managers/finance accounting earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $92,198. On the other hand, accounting consultants are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,965.

• Before launching your consulting career, determine what type of work you think you may want to do.
• While many new positions will open because of workers who will shift to other jobs or retire, there are also new areas of job growth.
• The right candidate for the accounting consultant role has extensive experience working in high-performing accounting and finance organizations.
• To find your consulting specialty, consider areas you excel in at work, projects you’ve gotten high marks on in performance reviews, or hobbies you’ve developed outside the office.

The results of this analysis are often presented to the client in the form of detailed financial reports. Accounting consultants serve a vital role in businesses of varying sizes and industries. And don’t forget to consult with an accountant during tax season. If you’re not having taxes taken out of your payments, you’ll need to budget for those when taxes are due. An accountant can offer guidance on how to make this less of a headache.

How to Become a Consultant

Depending on your niche, you can make $147,000 or more per year as a consultant. Speaking of networking … Referrals are a crucial way to grow your business, but they aren’t the only way. Unlike at a large company, you probably don’t have a marketing team who promotes your business.

As a senior accountant analyst, your main role is to provide professional guidance to a company. You need to have excellent preparation skills to create financial reports that clearly state the expenses and forecast the company’s financial future. Moreover, as a senior accountant analyst, you are supposed to give general operational assistance to the company’s management. Each business is unique in its accounting needs, and an accounting consultant examines a business’s financial data and helps with a variety of accounting services. Work might begin with a look at the company’s financial health and the current accounting services used in-house or through third-party accounting companies. The accounting consultant may then look at the company’s financial statements, gauge the profitability of the organization, and make some estimates on the company’s financial forecast.

• They may forget to share information that can impact your work or plans.
• The PR consultant who fulfills this role will manage the relationship between their clients and the general public.
• The world of accounting software and technologies is always evolving.
• Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.

An accounting consultant usually works as an independent contractor by taking on temporary assignments with different companies. Accounting consultants must maintain a strong network of industry connections and must rely on the positive word-of-mouth from past clients and referrals. Some consultants will join trade associations to boost their visibility in a certain industry, as well as participate in conferences and discussion panels. Some accounting consultants choose to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

You might work with wary teams who have a hard time trusting outsiders or siloed departments. So you’ll need to become an expert at building strong relationships quickly. No matter how impressive your analytical skills are, they won’t be much help to your clients unless you can communicate. But working on your communication skills is the best way for you to develop trust and authority. Whether software, skills, or subject matter-specific certifications, find out what qualifications are important in your industry and invest in expanding your knowledge base.

What Similar Roles Do

For example, they could start out with a role such as controller, progress to a title such as regional controller and then eventually end up with the title regional controller. Other things to consider are how far away your clients are from your home, and out-of-pocket costs such as parking, tolls, and specialty supplies. Shifting demographics, changes in consumer behavior, a dynamic tax and regulatory environment, technology, and a multitude of other factors are having a profound impact on the future of accounting. Which types of consultants are in biggest demand will likely change from year to year, as the profession continues to evolve to meet consumer needs. Learn how to start an accounting advisory business in our white paper. Learn how to start an accounting advisory business in our white paper.

Stats to Know if You’re Considering or Planning a Sales Career in 2023

As an Accounting Consultant Administrative, you will provide clients, companies, and individuals with services that help them analyze their financial information. Your information allows clients to make important business decisions and analyze their financial information. You will need a strong background in finance, regulations, and accounting procedures to qualify for this role. Opportunities in this field exist in professional services firms. When it comes to education, senior staff accountants tend to earn similar degree levels compared to accounting consultants. In fact, they’re 3.7% less likely to earn a Master’s Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Why are accounting consultants important for businesses?

Or, if you work for a large organization, you most likely use different software than smaller companies do. The niche you want to enter may require you to learn a particular type of software (QuickBooks, Xero, Intacct) or brush up on other skills such as workflow management. Though organizations are seeking consultants with more general skill bases, the most in-demand accounting consultants are those with specialized skills (see “The Most Sought-After Skills for Consultants,” below).

They can help with preparation, setting boundaries, and meeting high expectations. Critical thinking is often the first thing that comes to mind with consulting. Consultants analyze businesses, note what they see, and offer useful feedback. Consultants play a complex role as team leaders, mentors, and peers, often all at the same time. Direct, succinct, and simple writing means regular practice writing reports and analyses. Practice speaking and active listening with regular presentations, client conversations, and follow-ups.

This means that the more you can do to excel, the more likely you are to reach your goals. Before your nonprofit statement of cash flows dives in with your full-charge bookkeeper to provide accounting services, they will help you make changes to your company’s accounting processes and procedures for better efficiency. For many business owners, that’s exactly what accounting software is like.

For example, one accounting consultant might specialize in working with healthcare organizations including hospitals, clinics, and doctors in private practice. The consultant will learn the unique billing requirements and accounting features of a company that must work with various insurance companies and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. An accounting consultant must obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting, as well as develop advanced skills in mathematics, problem-solving, computer programs, and analytics. Some consultants choose to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business with a specialization in accounting while others may seek a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in business. Future accounting consultants who already have an idea of the industry in which they might specialize can further tailor their education by taking extra classes in related areas.

This route means obtaining a degree from a college that offers the right credits to qualify to take the Uniform CPA Examination from the American Institute of CPAs. To gain eligibility to take the exam, a student may need to enroll in graduate-level work, and a master of accounting degree may prove beneficial when an accounting consultant enters the workforce. Your comfort level with networking and asking for business will impact your ability to find clients.

Networking

If you would like to be an Accounting Consultant Administrative, you will need a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting plus knowledge of accounting principles, regulations, and financial reporting. These are just a few of the HR functions accounting firms must provide to stay competitive in the talent game. Consultants should be proficient in the skills their prospective employer needs and be able to quickly adapt to the processes and procedures of their new workplace. With Practice Forward content, tools and guidance, you can expand into advisory services, improve margins, drive growth, and elevate client service. No matter the timing of your transition to accounting consulting, you will need to plan your new business in advance. There may be additional training or education to help you specialize in a particular type of consulting, but there are also other considerations that require some forethought.