A general ledger accountant is a financial professional who ensures that a company’s books are balanced and that all expenses and credits are properly recorded in almost all situations. Specific responsibilities can differ significantly from one organization to the next. The ledger accountant is an entry-level associate who is responsible for organizing basic paperwork and conducting routine fact-checking before reporting to more senior accountants. However, ledger accountants can take on a much more senior role, overseeing and enforcing standard operating procedures.
In the business world, the term “general ledger” refers to a company’s basic, day-to-day accounting. Ledgers were kept on paper before the advent of computer database technology, often in specific ledger notebooks. On one side, there were credits, and on the other, there were debits. Departments were typically required to record their transactions in the ledger book on a daily basis, which the general ledger accountant then reviewed and reconciled.
Although ledger books are becoming increasingly rare, the practice of tracking expenses on a regular basis is still widespread. The majority of the time, it takes place online or through specialized accounting software. Some of these programs will compile entries from multiple offices and departments automatically, and many will generate reconciliation reports and summaries with ease. However, human oversight is almost always required. This usually manifests itself in the form of a general ledger accountant.
In most businesses, the ledger accountant is in charge of installing and maintaining financial tracking software. He or she is usually responsible for training employees on how to use the system and enforcing regular, accurate entries. Random audits are usually performed by the accountant, who keeps an eye on discrepancies from day to day or year to year.
Although ledgers are an important part of corporate finance, they are far from complete. Ledger accounting must usually coexist with larger corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, profits, and high-level sales. Tax accounting and planning are also important.
The general ledger accountant’s job description usually includes a lot of interaction with other accountants. He or she is responsible for representing daily financial transactions and petty cash expenses, as well as ensuring that they are properly accounted for in the budget and overall financial picture. In some companies, especially small ones, the ledger accountant is solely responsible for these costs. Because the data they work with is relatively simple, general ledger accountant jobs tend to be more entry-level. However, in larger multinational settings, they may be in charge of a large number of division-based professionals and considered more senior employees.
Ledger accountants are almost always held to the same standard as other accountants, regardless of the scope of their responsibilities or their seniority within an organization. The specific requirements for a ledger accountant vary depending on the situation, but they always include a basic accounting degree and, in most cases, relevant local certifications and licenses. As time goes on, many ledger accountants use their skills to advance to higher positions.