Median pay: $44,600
Top pay: $64,600
10-year job growth: 12%
Total jobs: 10,000
The job:
Think of accounting coordinators as the eyes and ears of an organization's bookkeeping operations. They keep track of money coming in and going out and make sure people get paid on time. That means keeping close contact with suppliers, customers and anyone else with whom money changes hands. When tax time rolls around, the coordinator gathers all the past year's paperwork for filing or audits. Many companies look outside their ranks for help, so you can be hired on as an independent contractor.
How to switch:
The job may not require a secondary degree in accounting, but a background in number-crunching helps. Additional certification can increase your job prospects and help you command a higher salary. Find out more at nsacct.org. As with other accounting jobs, hiring picks up at the end of the year and tax time when companies are scrambling to get their records in order.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
C |
C |
B |
By Donna Rosato and Tom Ziegler
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