Employers looking to fill accounting and finance positions have turned to CyberCoders to find their next best hire. Now with over 8,000 job postings on the site, our data scientists have identified the top 10 most in-demand positions for accounting and finance professionals.
- Tax Manager
- DE Underwriter
- Audit Senior
- Audit Manager
- Tax Senior
- Controller
- Senior Accountant
- DE Mortgage Underwriter
- Mortgage Processor
- Senior Auditor
Mark Sellner, a taxation consultant, university professor, and
Minnesota Society of CPAs member, agrees that this list reflects the job market at large. “It does make sense and verifies what’s going on with the increasing complexity of tax laws,” says Sellner. Additionally, he says the list is representative of accounting and finance career paths, wherein junior level tax accountants and auditors might spend three to five years at an accounting firm before taking on senior level internal positions.
The demand for DE underwriters might come as somewhat of a surprise when mentioned among more traditional accounting positions. “It is really an indicator that the economy is continuing to show improvement which I am glad to see,” Sellner says. “This presents a nice opportunity for finance professionals right out of school.”
Now let’s take a closer look at the kind of candidate companies want for these top finance and accounting jobs.
Tax Manager is one of the most sought after positions in accounting and finance. It makes sense: all businesses, individuals, public institutions, and nonprofits have some form of tax liability, and a tax manager helps these entities navigate the complex tax codes. Tax Managers represent the high-end of the tax accountant career track, with an annual salary that ranges between $100-$130K. Usually organizations are looking to hire candidates with taxation experience in the vertical in which the company operates.
- What looks good on a Tax Manager resume? Experience as a tax accountant with tangible results is best for this senior management position. An advanced degree like an MBA or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is attractive for top-echelon companies.
- What are the next-level skills? International experience is becoming more and more sought after with many companies as the economy becomes increasingly global.
A
Direct Endorsement (DE) underwriter is one that has a direct endorsement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They specialize in handling government loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA loans continue to play an important part in property financing in cities affected by the housing crisis several years ago, so naturally, financial professionals with specialized experience are coveted by mortgage companies in those areas. Obtaining a DE generally involves training and sponsorship by a government-approved lender.
- What looks good on a DE underwrite resume? Previous manual underwriting experience. Having a DE is preferred, though approved companies will see the right candidate through the certification process.
- What are the next level skills? Soft skills are crucial for this role as it entails extensive client contact.
Auditors provide honest, independent analyses of an organization’s financial statements. They are the so-called “trusted attesters” that companies count on to maintain regulatory compliance and a profitable overhead. External auditors work for independent firms which are hired by public companies mainly to detect errors and fraud in their reporting. Internal auditors work for the companies they audit, and the consultancy function of the role often extends to a broader set of operations. Most senior auditor salaries are in the $75-$90K range.
- What looks good on a Senior Auditor resume? Designations such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and demonstrable Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) proficiency.
- What are the next-level skills? A Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or MBA can propel candidates into a management role and a starting salary beyond six figures.
Think you have the right skills for the job? Find out by applying to finance and accounting openings
here.
