[Fil-Am]

Sorry if this may sound dumb to you but just want to get a clearer picture.

IMHO, when I heard the word accounting associate, it denotes a lower level clerical position and sounds like lower than accountant. Am I right with it?

If no, what is the difference between accounting associate and accountant?

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
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CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
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[Kettlepot]

Hmmmm, well….I've never heard of “Accounting Associate” as a designation. It could be a state based designation that doesn't exist here in Oklahoma. We have PAs, which are a step below CPAs. They usually do Bookkeeping and accounting paperwork for companies that are too small to hire full time accounting staff. The requirements are pretty steep though, it pretty much has the same requirements as a CPA but without the test, so most people just keep going for the CPA.

I'd say an Accounting Associate would be a step below that, maybe someone still earning their Bachelor's Degree or someone who has only high school education but experience with Quickbooks and Excel, etc.

Far: 49
BEC: 79 (Expired)
AUD: 51, 67, 64
REG: 59, 64, 59, 69

[Anonymous]

I agree.

[alboreland]

I worked for a company that had entry level positions titled junior accountants and junior financial analysts that would be propmoted to staff accountant and financial analyst. Now they call them accounting and FA associates I think because it sounds better than junior.

Yes, I believe that asociate is a lower level title.

[Fil-Am]

This is for small insurance agency company – local in the South. 2 directors were former Big4 Managers. The 3rd Party recruiter said it was a staff accountant position (I even had e-mail as proof) and we have a scheduled interview in Friday. Anyway, I was just surprised when I saw the job title in a job description that the recruiter sent me. I will know more about the job by then.

I have a panel interview with 3 Men (all CPAs) and I am nervous. 🙂

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[fairylite]

We had accounting associates whose next step in their career would've been staff accountant, so yes, it's a lower title. The accounting associate did basic AP, filing, data entry etc. No JEs or anything touching the GL.

However, it's also possible to negotiate the title if you like the job/company.

BEC 11/12/2015
REG 1/1/2016
AUD 1/22/2016
FAR 2/28/2016

[Fil-Am]

Thank you @fairylite. I'll see how the interview goes.:-D

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't sweat the title that much.

The Big 4 calls it's first and second years Associates. Associate -> Senior Associate -> Manager -> Senior Manager

So Staff, Junior, Associate, whatever. Look at the responsibilities- that's the important part.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I worked at major insurance company that had used accounting associate for some of their positions. It was every level 0 to 2 years experience position bachelor's degree required. Different companies use different titles, there is no real systematic standardized system of assigning titles.

It is my understanding that In big 4 you start as an associate and then are promoted to a manager position whereas In investment banking you start as an analyst and get promoted into an associate position.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

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[Author]

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