General Ledger Accountant Job Description Template - 2025 Guide

The General Ledger Accountant serves as the backbone of an organization's financial record-keeping system, ensuring accurate maintenance of the general ledger, processing journal entries, and supporting financial statement preparation. This role requires strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and deep understanding of accounting principles to maintain the integrity of financial data that drives business decisions.

Key Highlights

• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and reconciliations
• Process complex journal entries and month-end adjustments
• Support financial statement preparation and reporting processes
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on accounting matters
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal controls
• Average salary range: $45,000 - $70,000 annually

Why This Role Matters

General Ledger Accountants are essential to maintaining the financial health and transparency of organizations. They ensure that every financial transaction is properly recorded, classified, and reported, providing the foundation for accurate financial statements that stakeholders rely on for decision-making. Their meticulous work in maintaining the general ledger directly impacts the organization's ability to track performance, comply with regulations, and make informed strategic decisions.

This role offers excellent career growth opportunities in accounting and finance, providing exposure to all aspects of financial reporting and serving as a stepping stone to senior accounting positions, controllership roles, or specialized areas like tax accounting or financial analysis.

Primary Job Description Template

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented General Ledger Accountant to join our finance team and maintain the accuracy and integrity of our financial records. You will be responsible for managing general ledger accounts, processing journal entries, and supporting month-end and year-end closing processes. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while meeting tight deadlines.

As a General Ledger Accountant, you will work closely with other accounting team members, department managers, and external auditors to ensure accurate financial reporting. You will play a crucial role in maintaining compliance with accounting standards and internal controls while contributing to process improvements and efficiency initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have solid accounting fundamentals, experience with ERP systems, and a commitment to accuracy and continuous improvement. This role offers excellent exposure to various aspects of accounting and finance, making it perfect for someone looking to build a strong foundation in corporate accounting.

Key Responsibilities

• General Ledger Maintenance: Maintain accurate and complete general ledger accounts, ensuring proper classification and coding of all transactions
• Journal Entry Processing: Prepare, review, and post journal entries including accruals, deferrals, reclassifications, and correcting entries
• Account Reconciliations: Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations and investigate variances or discrepancies
• Month-End Closing: Support month-end closing process by completing assigned tasks within established deadlines
• Financial Statement Support: Assist in preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules for management and external reporting
• Documentation and Controls: Maintain proper documentation for all accounting entries and ensure compliance with internal controls
• Variance Analysis: Analyze account balances and investigate unusual fluctuations or discrepancies
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency in general ledger operations
• Audit Support: Provide documentation and explanations to internal and external auditors during audit processes
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with other departments to resolve accounting issues and ensure proper transaction recording

Requirements

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 2-4 years of experience in general ledger accounting or similar role
• Strong knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• Proficiency in Excel including advanced functions (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas)
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in work
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• CPA certification or progress toward CPA
• Experience with month-end closing processes in corporate environment
• Knowledge of SOX compliance requirements
• Experience with financial statement preparation
• Familiarity with accounting software beyond ERP systems

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $45,000 - $70,000 annually based on experience and location
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision insurance, and 401(k) with company match
• Professional Development: Support for CPA certification and continuing education
• Career Growth: Clear advancement paths to senior accounting roles
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible scheduling options and PTO policy
• Technology: Access to modern accounting software and tools

Context Variations

Corporate Environment: Emphasis on SOX compliance, complex reporting requirements, and interaction with external auditors. Higher volume of transactions and more sophisticated ERP systems. Greater focus on internal controls and process documentation.

Startup Environment: Broader responsibilities including AP/AR functions, direct interaction with leadership team, and involvement in building accounting processes from the ground up. More flexibility but also more varied responsibilities beyond traditional GL work.

Remote/Hybrid: Strong emphasis on digital collaboration tools, self-management skills, and ability to work independently. Regular virtual meetings for month-end coordination and team collaboration. Cloud-based accounting systems proficiency essential.

Industry Considerations

Industry	Key Requirements	Compliance Focus
Manufacturing	Cost accounting knowledge, inventory valuations, standard costing	GAAP compliance, inventory controls
Healthcare	Revenue recognition complexity, regulatory compliance	HIPAA, healthcare-specific regulations
Financial Services	Regulatory reporting, complex transactions	SOX, banking regulations, GAAP
Technology	Revenue recognition (ASC 606), stock compensation	GAAP, potentially international standards
Non-Profit	Fund accounting, grant compliance	GAAP for non-profits, donor restrictions
Public Companies	SOX compliance, SEC reporting	Stringent internal controls, audit requirements

Compensation Guide

Salary Information

National average salary range for General Ledger Accountant positions typically falls between $45,000 - $70,000 annually, with variations based on experience, location, and industry.

Metropolitan Area	Salary Range	Cost of Living Impact
New York, NY	$52,000 - $80,000	High cost of living premium
San Francisco, CA	$55,000 - $85,000	Highest compensation tier
Chicago, IL	$47,000 - $72,000	Major market rates
Dallas, TX	$44,000 - $68,000	Moderate cost of living
Atlanta, GA	$43,000 - $67,000	Southeast market rates
Denver, CO	$46,000 - $71,000	Growing market premium
Remote (US)	$42,000 - $65,000	Location-adjusted rates

Factors Affecting Compensation:

• Experience Level: Entry-level positions start around $45,000, while experienced professionals can earn $70,000+
• Industry: Financial services and technology typically offer higher compensation than non-profit or smaller businesses
• Company Size: Larger corporations generally offer higher base salaries and more comprehensive benefits
• Certifications: CPA certification can add $5,000-$10,000 to base salary
• Location: Major metropolitan areas command salary premiums due to cost of living

Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, Glassdoor, and Robert Half Salary Guide 2025

Interview Questions

Technical/Functional Questions

General Ledger Knowledge

• Walk me through the complete month-end closing process you've managed.
• How do you approach reconciling a balance sheet account that doesn't balance?
• Explain the difference between a reversing entry and a correcting entry.
• Describe your experience with accrual and deferral entries.

Systems and Process Questions

• What ERP systems have you worked with, and what are their strengths/weaknesses for GL management?
• How do you ensure accuracy when processing high volumes of journal entries?
• Describe a time when you identified and corrected a significant accounting error.
• What controls do you implement to prevent duplicate or incorrect journal entries?

Behavioral Questions

Attention to Detail and Accuracy

• Tell me about a time when your attention to detail prevented a significant error. What was the situation and outcome?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with incomplete or unclear information to complete your accounting tasks.

Problem-Solving and Analysis

• Give me an example of a complex account reconciliation you completed. What steps did you take to resolve discrepancies?
• Describe a time when you had to investigate and explain an unusual variance in financial results.

Teamwork and Communication

• Tell me about a time when you had to work with other departments to resolve an accounting issue.
• Describe how you would explain a complex accounting concept to a non-accounting colleague.

Time Management and Deadlines

• How do you prioritize your work during busy month-end closing periods?
• Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline while maintaining accuracy in your work.

Culture Fit Questions

Professional Development

• What are your career goals in accounting, and how does this role align with them?
• How do you stay current with changes in accounting standards and regulations?

Work Style and Collaboration

• How do you handle constructive feedback about your work?
• Describe your ideal work environment and team dynamic.

Evaluation Tips: Look for candidates who demonstrate strong technical knowledge, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure. Assess their communication skills and willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Hiring Tips

Quick Sourcing Guide

Top Recruitment Platforms

• LinkedIn: Target professionals with "General Ledger," "Staff Accountant," or "Accounting" in their profiles
• Indeed: High volume of qualified accounting professionals
• Robert Half/Accountemps: Specialized accounting recruitment with pre-screened candidates
• Local CPA Society Job Boards: Access to certified and aspiring CPAs

Professional Communities

• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): Access to certified professionals and job posting opportunities
• Institute of Management Accountants (IMA): Networking with management accounting professionals
• Local Accounting Society Chapters: Regional networking and recruitment opportunities

Posting Optimization Tips

• Use specific keywords: "general ledger," "journal entries," "month-end closing," "GAAP"
• Highlight growth opportunities and professional development support
• Mention specific ERP systems used in your organization
• Include salary range to attract qualified candidates

Red Flags to Avoid

Technical Competency Issues

• Cannot explain basic accounting concepts like debits/credits or accruals
• Has never been involved in month-end closing processes despite years of experience
• Shows no familiarity with ERP systems or advanced Excel functions
• Cannot provide specific examples of account reconciliations performed
• Demonstrates poor understanding of internal controls or GAAP principles

Professional Attitude Concerns

• Shows impatience with detailed work or repetitive tasks
• Cannot work effectively under deadline pressure
• Lacks interest in professional development or certification
• Has difficulty explaining complex accounting matters in simple terms
• Shows no examples of process improvement or efficiency initiatives

FAQ Section