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Job Title: Revenue Accountant
Type of Company: I work in the accounting department of a high technology company.
Education: BS, Accounting, Rivier College •• MBA, Rivier College ••
Previous Experience: After graduating from college I started in my career as a staff accountant. When my boss left for a new job, I was promoted to plant controller.
Job Tasks: On a typical day I run a report to show me what shipments were invoiced the day before. Using the report, I pull together the related paperwork: invoices, packing slips, revenue controller sign-offs, any emails that go with the orders, customer purchase orders, our sales order, a copy of the quote, and on occasion proof that the shipment was delivered. Using all this I generate a new report called the revenue checklist. If the shipment meets all the revenue criteria, I will recognize the order in our system and it will become reportable revenue. If it can't be recognized as revenue I will have to figure out what is still needed.
Since we are a public company we are audited by an independent audit firm. At the end of every quarter I have to supply the auditors with the back-up for the revenue we are reporting. I spend many days a quarter answering their questions. Revenue is watched closely in my company and we are always being asked by management "Dude, what is going on with revenue?"
I also support the Revenue Controller and many times I will have to help him get ready for calls with the sales people. This can include checking on shipping or service dates.
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of my job is being able to work with many different departments within the company. Pretty much anything any employee does affects revenue.
The worst part if my job is the extra hours at quarter's end. Most high technology companies receive 80% or their revenue at the end of the quarter, so there's a lot of paperwork that has to be gathered and analyzed in a short amount of time.
Job Tips:
1. The great thing about accounting is there are many different specializations you can go into.
2. I believe starting out in general accounting will give you a good view of the company as a whole. From there you can move into a different part of accounting.
3. Even though there are month-end and quarterly reconciliations that can be stressful, it is rewarding when the books are closed.
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