Careers in Accounting

If you're detail oriented, good with numbers, and interested in a career in business, accounting may be the perfect fit for you.

Accountants are responsible for auditing financial data, preparing audit reports, inspecting accounting books, tracking expenses and revenue, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, assisting in tax form preparation, and managing payroll. Accounts can find employment in every industry and at all levels of government.

Accountants must be highly detail oriented and analytical. They also need to have good communication skills in order to work effectively with clients and co-workers. Accounts must posses an understanding of professional standards, such as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and keeping up-to-date with continually changing reporting rules and compliance procedures.

Common job titles in recent Chicago area open-position postings include include: Accountant, Staff Accountant, Accounts Payable Specialist, Bookkeeper, Accounts Receivable/Payable Specialist, Accounting Clerk, Internal Auditor. See the "Top Accounting Job Titles" expander for more.

Top Accounting Job Titles

Get a list of top accounting job titles, and number of job postings for that position over the previous 12 months. (Souce: Lightcast, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI region, as of 11/15/2023)

Job Titles	# of Postings	Occupation Group
Accountants	2874	Accountants and Auditors
Staff Accountants	1991	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Payable Specialists	1149	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Bookkeepers	783	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Receivable Specialists	701	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounting Clerks	668	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Payable Clerks	635	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Unclassified	611	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Internal Auditors	500	Accountants and Auditors
Tax Accountants	461	Accountants and Auditors
Unclassified	459	Accountants and Auditors
Collections Specialists	445	Bill and Account Collectors
Auditors	429	Accountants and Auditors
Accounting Assistants	366	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Project Accountants	358	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Receivable Clerks	342	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Audit Managers	332	Accountants and Auditors
Accounting Specialists	317	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Cost Accountants	305	Accountants and Auditors
Property Accountants	280	Accountants and Auditors
Accounting Associates	265	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Payable Coordinators	255	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Audit Associates	227	Accountants and Auditors
Collections Representatives	184	Bill and Account Collectors
Internal Audit Managers	180	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Receivable Associates	176	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Corporate Accountants	155	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Payable Analysts	150	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Receivable Analysts	145	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Fund Accountants	142	Accountants and Auditors
Accounting Coordinators	138	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Audit Officers	128	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Clerks	123	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Payable Associates	120	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Assistant Vice Presidents	108	Accountants and Auditors
Tax Associates	107	Accountants and Auditors
Tax Analysts	104	Accountants and Auditors
Accounts Receivable Coordinators	100	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Collectors	95	Bill and Account Collectors
Field Collectors	90	Bill and Account Collectors
Internal Audit Officers	87	Accountants and Auditors
Mortgage Auditors	87	Accountants and Auditors
Full Charge Bookkeepers	82	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Grant Accountants	82	Accountants and Auditors
Financial Accountants	81	Accountants and Auditors
Certified Public Accountants	78	Accountants and Auditors
Lead Tax Associates	78	Accountants and Auditors
Bookkeepers/Office Managers	77	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Real Estate Accountants	77	Accountants and Auditors
Accountants/Bookkeepers	73	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Cash Applications Specialists	72	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Receivable Representatives	71	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Billing Representatives	69	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Specialists	67	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Access Specialists	49	Bill and Account Collectors
Collections Associates	48	Bill and Account Collectors
Debt Collectors	38	Bill and Account Collectors
Field Reimbursement Managers	38	Bill and Account Collectors
Specimen Collectors	33	Bill and Account Collectors
Unclassified	32	Bill and Account Collectors
Collections Coordinators	30	Bill and Account Collectors
Commercial Collections Specialists	22	Bill and Account Collectors
Employee Benefits Account Managers	21	Bill and Account Collectors
Self Pay Collectors	21	Bill and Account Collectors
Credit and Collections Specialists	20	Bill and Account Collectors
Toll Collectors	19	Bill and Account Collectors
Cash Management Specialists	18	Bill and Account Collectors
Credit and Collections Associates	18	Bill and Account Collectors
Denials Specialists	15	Bill and Account Collectors
Revenue Collectors	14	Bill and Account Collectors
Collections Assistants	13	Bill and Account Collectors
Collections Technicians	13	Bill and Account Collectors
Credit and Collections Coordinators	13	Bill and Account Collectors
Repossession Agents	13	Bill and Account Collectors
B2B Collections Specialists	12	Bill and Account Collectors

Accounting is a field with opportunities for those at different levels of education, though most positions require an associate degree or bachelor's degree. Clerk-level positions may available to those who hold certificates or have completed some college-level courses.

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Accounting Career Profiles

Learn more about common job titles in the accounting field, including salary ranges, job growth and local employers.