Accountant (General) Onboarding Checklist

Accountant (General) Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Accountant (General) starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Finance onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Accountant (General), you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Accountant (General) onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Accountant (General) Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to company policies and procedures: The new accountant should be provided with a comprehensive overview of the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to financial reporting, expense management, and internal controls. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated supervisor.

2. Familiarization with accounting software: The new accountant should receive training on the specific accounting software used by the company. This includes learning how to navigate the software, input data, generate reports, and reconcile accounts. The task is usually performed by the IT department or a senior accountant.

3. Understanding the chart of accounts: The new accountant should be introduced to the company’s chart of accounts, which outlines the specific categories and codes used to classify financial transactions. This task is typically performed by a senior accountant or the finance department.

4. Reviewing financial statements: The new accountant should be provided with copies of the company’s financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. They should be guided through the process of analyzing these statements to gain insights into the company’s financial health. This task is usually performed by a senior accountant or the finance department.

5. Learning the company’s budgeting process: The new accountant should be familiarized with the company’s budgeting process, including how budgets are created, monitored, and revised. They should understand their role in the budgeting process and how to collaborate with other departments to ensure accurate financial planning. This task is typically performed by the finance department or a designated budgeting team.

6. Understanding internal controls: The new accountant should be educated on the company’s internal control procedures, which are designed to safeguard assets, prevent fraud, and ensure accurate financial reporting. They should learn about segregation of duties, authorization processes, and the importance of maintaining proper documentation. This task is usually performed by a senior accountant or the finance department.

7. Reviewing tax regulations and compliance: The new accountant should receive training on relevant tax regulations and compliance requirements, such as income tax, sales tax, and payroll tax. They should understand their responsibilities in ensuring the company’s compliance with these regulations. This task is typically performed by a tax specialist or the finance department.

8. Collaborating with other departments: The new accountant should be introduced to key stakeholders in other departments, such as purchasing, sales, and operations. They should understand how their role interacts with these departments and how to effectively communicate and collaborate with them. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated supervisor.

9. Participating in team meetings: The new accountant should be encouraged to attend team meetings to gain insights into ongoing projects, challenges, and goals. This will help them understand the broader context of their role and foster collaboration with colleagues. This task is typically performed by the finance department or a designated supervisor.

10. Shadowing experienced accountants: The new accountant should have the opportunity to shadow experienced accountants to observe their day-to-day tasks, ask questions, and learn best practices. This will help them gain practical knowledge and build confidence in their role. This task is typically performed by a senior accountant or the finance department

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Accountant (General) checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Accountant (General) up to speed and working well in your Finance team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.