In today’s digital world, accounting software is essential for businesses to effectively track their financial transactions and generate reports. Using accounting software helps companies reduce costly bookkeeping errors, quickly file business taxes, and process figures faster. Accounting software developers are the creative minds who make these key system applications possible to boost overall company efficiency. Accounting software developers blend their accounting background with programming knowledge to oversee the creation of new computer programs. From initial planning through implementation, developers manage virtually every aspect that goes into forming useful accounting software. Accounting software developers are prominent members of the engineering team who design cutting-edge accounting support products.
Salary
According to the BLS, the 382,400 systems software developers employed in the United States currently earn a mean annual salary of $106,050, which could be equated to an average hourly wage of $50.98. Accounting software developers who work for accounting firms make $106,690 on average, but the highest paid are employed in computer equipment manufacturing at $125,140 annually.
Beginning Salary
When just starting out in accounting software development, you’ll likely land in the bottom tenth percentile of earnings with a decent yearly salary around $63,250. However, accounting software developers who work for larger companies and have years of design experience can eventually bring home a handsome salary upwards of $154,800 every year.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting software developers are given the primary responsibility of applying computer science principles to developing software for financial business applications. Accounting software developers research company needs before designing and testing software that fulfills their accounting requirements. On a typical day, accounting software developers may be involved in creating new system applications, recommending software upgrades, instructing programmers how to write coding, running software testing, fixing any bugs, staying on cost targets, and documenting aspects of system creation. Accounting software developers often will collaborate with other computer specialists like programmers and IT managers as well as accountants to devise optimum software.
Necessary Skills
Being successful as an accounting software developer requires that you possess strong computer skills for maximizing computer capabilities and using programming languages. Good problem-solving abilities are essential for developers to tackle any electronic glitches during the development process. Accounting software developers should have interpersonal skills for collaborating on the overall creation of software systems. Having organizational skills with a keen eye for detail is another must for developers to put every piece of the software puzzle together appropriately. Accounting software developers must have a certain level of customer service sales skills to explain how their applications work and concisely answer any questions.
Degree and Education Requirements
Before you can find accounting software development jobs, you’ll first need to invest in at least four years of post-secondary schooling with an accredited bachelor’s degree. Most aspiring software developers major in computer science, software engineering, information technology, computer programming, or a related technical field. Aspiring accounting software developers should take courses related to accounting to fully understand a company’s financial computing needs. Going the extra step to obtain a Master of Accounting (MAcc) or MBA in Accounting can unlock doors for advancing as computer systems or IT managers in accounting. It would also fulfill the 150-hour requirement to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Pros and Cons of the Position
There are several advantages and drawbacks that come with becoming an accounting software developer that you should be aware of. Of course, the most obvious plus is the very high salary potential that usually crosses the six-figure mark rather early in the career. Accounting software developers benefit from growing job prospects, including telecommuting options working from anywhere with Internet access. Those in an office, enjoy a comfortable working environment interacting with various other computer specialists. Skills held by accounting software developers can be portable to other fields also. On the flip side, software development has been notorious for outsourcing, so you’ll face global competition. Accounting software developers will have a desk job with plenty of sitting behind a computer. Achieving a good work-life balance can be difficult because long hours ahead of pressured deadlines are common. Accounting software developers must also continually upgrade their skills through more education.
Getting Started
While earning an appropriate degree, it’s best you allow your creativity to fly outside the classroom by obtaining real-world experience. Most future developers will complete an internship or co-operative with a software publishing company during college. Jump on every opportunity to build your resume with experience related to designing software or writing code. It’s possible that you’ll have to start your accounting software development career as a computer programmer before being given more responsibility. Taking entry-level staff accounting positions will also give insight into the inner workings of the financial field. Going the extra distance to achieve professional credentials can also boost your career. Through the IEEE Computer Society, you can receive the Software Development Associate Certification. This will involve passing a 160-question online examination in three hours with live remote proctoring.
Future Outlook
Demand for computer software in the increasingly complex accounting field is skyrocketing, especially with mobile technology applications. Software developers will be needed to design accounting systems for everything from cell phones to desktop computers. Rising threats to cyber security will also result in more accounting software developers being hired to protect critical financial data housed within a company’s computer infrastructure. The BLS reports that the overall employment of software developers will grow rapidly by 22 percent by 2022, which will create 222,600 new jobs in all sectors. Accounting software developers with up-to-date programming knowledge will find favorable prospects with computer systems design services, accounting firms, private corporations, insurance companies, software publishers, and more.
Overall, accounting software developers strive to streamline the process of tracking and examining monetary records for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Accounting software developers take the reins in brainstorming, designing, developing, testing, and upgrading software used by accountants daily. Whether they’re building software systems to record invoices, update purchases ledgers, calculate payroll, create budgets, or conduct stock valuation, accounting software developers play a crucial role in advancing accounting practices into the digital 21st century. If you make the decision to become an accounting software developer, you could harness your computer expertise for truly impacting bookkeeping processes in the fast-paced business world.
Another great resource:
Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs 2015
