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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.
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)
This table shows a list of top accounting job titles, the number of posts related to that title, and the BLS occupation group the job is associated with.
| 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.
Learn more about common job titles in the accounting field, including salary ranges, job growth and local employers.