Average Salary Accountant in Houston, TX

The median salary for an Accountant in Houston, TX is $61,880, with 80% of salaries falling between $39,000 and $95,000. Salaries for Accountants in Houston, TX are typically above than what other jobs pay in the area. Offering a total compensation package that includes employee benefits and bonus pay to incentivize performance, in addition to competitive base pay, can help attract and retain top talent. Check out some popular employee benefits that companies are offering in your area.

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Where do Accountant earn the highest salaries?

The median salary for an Accountant ranges from $60,000 in Atlanta, GA to $90,051 in San Francisco, CA. Besides the location of employees, differences in salaries are often driven by factors such as years of experience, education, and industry.

City	10th Percentile Salary	Median Salary	Average Salary	90th Percentile Salary
San Francisco, CA	$55,600	$90,051	$92,585	$128,000
Los Angeles, CA	$41,802	$77,563	$76,555	$104,900
New York, NY	$47,750	$77,504	$76,771	$114,544
San Jose, CA	$36,000	$76,500	$80,502	$120,000
Chicago, IL	$52,400	$76,000	$77,937	$115,000
San Diego, CA	$59,250	$75,580	$79,512	$117,500
Denver, CO	$50,500	$75,125	$76,471	$104,050
Seattle, WA	$60,000	$75,000	$77,457	$105,000

Common employee benefits for Accountants in Houston, TX

It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. In addition to a competitive base salary, offering benefits is a great way to attract and retain top Accountants in Houston, TX. Build the right benefits package for your team with Gusto!

401(k)	Paid Time Off	Work From Home
401(k) Matching	Paid Sick Time	Flexible Schedule
Health insurance	Parental Leave	Commuter Benefits
Dental Insurance	Professional Development	Life Insurance

Accountant Job Description

As an accountant, you’ll perform financial tasks to manage a business efficiently. This includes analyzing and interpreting financial data, preparing financial reports, monitoring accounts, and providing advice to best use funds. You’ll also develop strategies for long-term financial goals, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and review business records to ensure accuracy and compliance with taxation laws. You’ll play a crucial part in supporting the financial health of our company. View Full Job Description.

Accountant Interview Questions

Hiring the right accountant is paramount to a company’s financial success. This article delves into the top 15 accountant interview questions that will help you identify the best candidate for your organization. These questions cover essential aspects, from financial planning to problem-solving, ensuring you select a well-rounded professional.

But the quest for top talent is not one-size-fits-all, so we also provide additional and alternative questions to customize your interviews. Whether you’re a seasoned hiring manager or a novice, this article equips you with the tools to build a robust accounting team. View Top Interview Questions for Accountants.

What is an Accountant?

An accountant is a financial professional responsible for managing and analyzing financial records, transactions, and reports for individuals, businesses, or organizations. Their primary role is to ensure financial accuracy, compliance with regulations, and efficient financial management.

Accountants perform various tasks, including recording financial transactions, preparing financial statements (such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements), and analyzing financial data to provide insights and recommendations for decision-making. They also assess financial risks, develop budgets, and devise strategies to optimize financial performance.

Furthermore, accountants play a crucial role in tax preparation and compliance, ensuring that individuals and businesses adhere to tax laws and regulations while minimizing tax liabilities. They may also provide auditing services, examining financial records to verify their accuracy and integrity.

What does an Accountant do?

Accountants play a critical role in managing financial affairs and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records. Their duties encompass a wide range of tasks essential for maintaining financial health, compliance, and strategic decision-making:

Recording Transactions: Accountants are responsible for accurately recording financial transactions, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. This involves meticulous documentation to establish a reliable foundation for financial reporting.
Financial Statement Preparation: They prepare various financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, providing insights into an organization's financial position, performance, and liquidity.
Tax Compliance: Accountants ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations by preparing and filing tax returns accurately and timely. They offer tax planning strategies to optimize tax outcomes while adhering to legal requirements.
Audit Conduct: Conducting audits is a crucial aspect of an accountant's role. They assess the accuracy and reliability of financial information through systematic reviews of financial records, internal controls, and operational procedures.
Financial Analysis and Advice: Accountants provide valuable financial analysis and advice to support decision-making. They interpret financial data, identify trends, and offer insights to optimize performance, mitigate risks, and achieve strategic objectives.
Organizational Collaboration: Accountants collaborate with clients or internal teams to optimize financial performance and achieve organizational goals. They offer expertise in interpreting financial data and providing strategic guidance.
Compliance Monitoring: Accountants stay updated on evolving regulations and standards to ensure compliance with accounting principles, tax laws, and reporting requirements.
Continuous Learning: Accountants engage in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes, enhancing their skills and expertise in financial management and reporting.

What skills does an Accountant need?

An accountant requires a diverse set of skills to effectively perform their duties and responsibilities in financial management. These skills include:

Accounting Knowledge: A strong understanding of accounting principles, practices, and standards is fundamental for accurately recording financial transactions and preparing financial statements.
Attention to Detail: Accountants must possess keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial records, reports, and calculations, minimizing errors and discrepancies.
Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and interpreting complex information enables accountants to provide valuable insights and recommendations for decision-making.
Numerical Proficiency: Strong mathematical skills are essential for performing calculations, reconciling accounts, and analyzing financial data accurately.
Computer Literacy: Familiarity with accounting software, spreadsheets, and other financial management tools is necessary for efficiently managing financial records and generating reports.
Communication Skills: Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, are crucial for conveying financial information clearly and concisely to clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Problem-Solving Ability: Accountants should possess strong problem-solving skills to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions to financial challenges or discrepancies.
Ethical Judgment: Upholding high ethical standards and integrity is essential in the accounting profession to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and professional standards.
Time Management: Efficient time management skills enable accountants to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Accountants often work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team contribute to successful outcomes.
Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits for accountants to navigate changes in regulations, technologies, and organizational priorities, ensuring continued effectiveness in their roles.

While these skills are generally accepted as the most important to an accountant’s success, they by no means represent the totality of skills you’ll rely on in your career.

How much does a junior accountant make in Houston?

Junior accountants make around $60,000 a year, with a compensation range between $57,413 and $69,493. But of course, compensation varies widely depending on your industry, company size, level of education, and experience.

Your industry has one of the biggest impacts on your salary. The highest paying industries for junior accountants in Houston are

Agriculture: $65,000
Manufacturing: $60,000
Telecommunications: $55,000

And, generally, larger companies can afford to pay you more than smaller ones. They also tend to offer better benefits and other forms of compensation, like profit sharing, retirement contributions, and company shares.

Coming into a junior position with a strong internship or bookkeeping on your resume can help you negotiate a higher salary. You don’t need a bachelor's degree to get a bookkeeping position, where the average entry level pay ranges between $39,000 and $56,000. Certifications typically require only a year of college. Most CBs gain certification from these organizations:

The National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)
The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)

Finally, certifications can also offer a boost to your salary. Certifications to consider include:

Financial Management Certification: Validates skills in financial planning and analysis, preparing professionals for strategic financial roles in areas like budgeting, investment, and risk management.
Payroll Administration Certification: Demonstrates proficiency in managing payroll processes, ensuring accurate employee compensation, tax compliance, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA): Recognized credential indicating expertise in accounting principles, tax laws, and ethical standards, essential for providing comprehensive accounting services and financial advice.