The finance and accounting job market is competitive, but opportunities remain strong—especially for professionals with specialized skills. The most sought-after finance and accounting roles combine strong demand with impressive earning potential.Employers are willing to pay a premium for expertise in areas like financial reporting, data analytics, financial modeling and ERP software. According to Robert Half’s 2026 Salary Guide, 87% of finance and accounting leaders typically offer higher salaries to candidates with these specialized skills.And as AI transforms finance and accounting, new roles are emerging. Employers are increasingly seeking professionals who understand artificial intelligence and can use it to make smarter decisions and improve how work gets done. High-priority positions include:AI governance and risk officers – manage the ethical and legal side of AI in financeCognitive accountants – use AI to automate expense tracking and spot problemsReal-time financial data engineers – build systems to process and analyze financial data instantly
Setting competitive salaries for these emerging roles can be challenging for employers. If fact, it is prompting 41% of leaders to turn to recruiters for guidance. If you're a job seeker with these in-demand skills, working with a firm like Robert Half gives you a similar edge. Your recruiter knows what these roles are paying right now and can help you negotiate from a position of strength.If you're targeting top accounting jobs in 2026 or exploring the higher-paying finance jobs, here are 10 established roles worth your attention, along with average salaries, which you can customize to your city by using our Salary Calculator for the role you’re interested in.
1. Corporate controller
See Corporate Controller Salaries and Similar JobsWhen it comes to supervising the accounting and financial reporting functions of a company while ensuring compliance with regulations, corporate controllers are the go-to professionals. This is one of the higher-paying finance jobs for candidates with either a CPA, CGMA or CMA—many also have an MBA and several years of experience.Typical responsibilities:Manage accounts payable/accounts receivable, payroll and financial reporting transactionsPerform analysis on financial results, trends, costs and budgetsPrepare forecast reports for income, expenses and earningsEnsure accounting activities comply with GAAP and, if needed, IFRSPrepare tax schedules and returns with accurate corporate income tax complianceCreate procedures to make the close and reporting processes more efficient and accurateNational midpoint starting salary: $185,000
2. Property accountant
See Property Accountant Salaries and Similar JobsProperty accountants manage the full monthly accounting cycle. Companies look for detail-oriented candidates with proven problem-solving abilities, knowledge of property management issues and the ability to meet deadlines.Typical responsibilities:Prepare complex journal entries and account reconciliationsPrepare monthly balance sheet and income statement analyses for management reportingAssist in month-, quarter- and year-end closing processesImplement, maintain and adhere to internal controls under Sarbanes-OxleyEnsure compliance with GAAP accounting proceduresAnalyze and coordinate financial data and report it in a clear, useful mannerNational midpoint starting salary: $80,500
3. Accounting manager, general accounting
See Accounting Manager Salaries and Similar JobsOrganizations need accounting managers to coordinate the daily operations of accounting departments and deliver accurate financial data for regulatory reporting and for leadership to use in making high-level decisions. This is among the top accounting jobs in 2026 for experienced professionals ready to supervise teams.Typical responsibilities:Prepare and review ledger entries and reconciliationsMaintain the general ledger systemPrepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statementsAssist with regulatory reportingResearch accounting issues for compliance with GAAPCoordinate the budget processHire, train and supervise accounting staffNational midpoint starting salary: $113,000
4. Senior accountant, general accounting
See Senior Accountant Salaries and Similar JobsCompanies seek well-rounded senior-level accountants who can prepare financial statements and budgets, assess internal controls and conduct risk assessments. With accounting salary trends showing continued demand, this role offers strong compensation for professionals with several years of experience.Typical responsibilities:Reconcile sub-ledger to general ledger account balancesPrepare financial statementsAssess internal controls, including risk assessments and reviews of risk areasAssist with budget preparation and prepare monthly budget variance analysesMaintain and reconcile fixed assets schedulesAssist with initial internal control evaluationsSupervise accounting staffNational midpoint starting salary: $94,750
5. Staff accountant, general accounting
See Staff Accountant Salaries and Similar JobsOrganizations are adding analytics-savvy staff accountants to finance departments to help realize company-wide goals. This entry point into in-demand accounting careers offers solid compensation and growth potential.Typical responsibilities:Review general ledger accounts and prepare and adjust journal entriesPerform account analysis and reconciliation, including bank statements and intercompany accountsMaintain general ledger chart of accountsAssist with initial internal control evaluationsPost monthly, quarterly and yearly accrualsNational midpoint starting salary: $73,750
See Tax Accountant Salaries and Similar JobsCorporations need tax accountants to meet tax-related obligations. At this experience level, tax accountants often work in support of senior accountants. It's one of the accounting jobs with growth potential for those starting their careers.Typical responsibilities:Research tax laws and regulationsComplete various corporate tax returnsProvide assistance during tax auditsRespond to notices from tax authoritiesNational midpoint starting salary: $74,750
7. Senior cost accountant
See Senior Cost Accountant Salaries and Similar JobsSenior cost accountants keep a close eye on what it costs to run day-to-day operations, constantly reviewing all aspects of the business to find where money can be saved without sacrificing quality.Typical responsibilities:Analyze manufacturing operationsAnalyze manufacturing equipment availability and utilizationPerform month-end cost accounting closeMaintain cost accounting system and cost ledgerPerform life cycle cost-benefit analysisAnalyze inventory valuationsNational midpoint starting salary: $96,250
8. Billing specialist
See Billing Specialist Salaries and Similar JobsThese professionals manage the process of billing from start to finish, sending invoices, monitoring transactions and confirming accounts are paid in full.Typical responsibilities:Process bills, including verifying the accuracy of billing informationPrepare journal entries of adjustments to billingsCommunicate with customers regarding billing adjustmentsNational midpoint starting salary: $50,750
9. AR/AP specialist
See Accounts Receivable Specialist Salaries and Similar JobsSee Accounts Payable Specialist Salaries and Similar JobsCompanies can't succeed without accounts receivable and accounts payable specialists—these processes are critical to keeping cash moving and operations running. AR/AP professionals ensure that accurate and timely payments are made and received, and they resolve any issues that arise when things go awry with customers or vendors.Typical responsibilities:Match, batch, code and enter invoicesEnter, post and reconcile batchesResearch and resolve accounts payable or accounts receivable issues with customers or vendorsUpdate and reconcile sub-ledger to general ledgerMaintain cash applications, account reconciliations and chargebacksNational midpoint salaries: $60,250 (accounts receivable), $56,500 (accounts payable)
10. Senior business analyst
See Senior Business Analyst Salaries and Similar JobsBig data is a big deal. As finance departments move from a reporting-focused function to a more analytics-centric one, firms need experienced senior business analysts to make sense of data and offer sound strategic recommendations. This is consistently one of the higher-paying finance jobs for professionals who can turn raw information into actionable insights.Typical responsibilities:Assist with implementation and support of business information systems across multiple departmentsConduct market analysis and analyze product lines and overall profitabilityDevelop and share reports that enable advertising, customer service and other business functions to make informed decisionsNational midpoint starting salary: $115,500
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Explore accounting and finance salary ranges and plan your next move
The 10 roles above represent some of the most in-demand accounting careers employers are eager to staff now and in the coming year. Also check out finance salary ranges and projections for many more roles in the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half.
