What is a Technical Accountant,
and What do They Do?
Kyle Geers
December 11, 2023
As your company grows, your financial reporting requirements become increasingly technical and complex. Even internal finance teams struggle to keep pace with evolving accounting standards. Professionals with current software expertise and regulatory knowledge can easily save your company and other employees time and money—not to mention preventing costly encounters with external auditors.
Why You Need Someone With Technical Accounting Skills
Technical accountants command higher salaries due to increased education requirements and task complexity. They possess knowledge in regulatory compliance, financial goal management tools, and industry best practices.
Key capabilities include:
- Technical resource training for financial data and business administration
- Software implementation enabling minimal annual report preparation effort
- Technical accounting memos for accurate interdepartmental communication
- Years of training in industry-specific accounting standards
- Advisory expertise on revenue recognition and financial statements
- Leadership capability for accounting/finance teams
- Audit liaison expertise ensuring compliance and streamlined processes
The Value of Technical Skills
Standard accountants provide data analysis, compliance with accounting standards, and financial insights. Technical accountants offer this foundation plus specialized capabilities that go beyond day-to-day bookkeeping:
- Continuous GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) expertise
- Awareness of emerging technical resources relevant to specific industries
- Software implementation knowledge integrating reporting systems into daily workflows
As organizations expand, the distinction between a standard accountant and a technical accountant becomes increasingly important. Whether you’re navigating a complex transaction, preparing for an audit, or implementing new accounting standards, a technical accountant brings the specialized knowledge needed to keep your financial reporting accurate and compliant.
Looking for Technical Accounting Support?
Reach out to our team to learn how a technical accountant can save your company time and money while ensuring compliance.
Schedule a Discovery CallRelated Articles
GAAP Compliance Mistakes: The $10M Loan That Nearly Fell Apart
A real-world case study of how cash basis reporting nearly derailed a $10M+ loan — and how to avoid the GAAP gaps that block fundraising.
Lease Accounting Under ASC 842: Why Excel Isn't Always Enough
When to use Excel vs. dedicated software for ASC 842 lease accounting — a practical guide for late-stage startup finance teams preparing for audits.
Held for Sale Accounting under US GAAP
Walk through the US GAAP evaluation model for held-for-sale classification, including the six criteria that must be met and the resulting accounting treatment.
