Accountants are Stepping up their Games | Exciting New Job Descriptions of Infotech Accountants and Systems Accountants

Definition of Infotech Accountant

An infotech accountant is a finance professional who focuses on managing the financial nitty gritty of information technology (IT) within an organization while ensuring efficient use of IT resources, compliance with financial regulations, and effectively budgeting for IT expenditures.

Infotech accountants, also known as information technology accountants specialize in the financial aspects of information technology (IT) and the management of digital assets within organizations. Their primary role is to ensure the effective and efficient use of IT resources while maintaining compliance with financial regulations.

The job description for these finance professionals typically includes the following:

• IT Projects Financial Analysis: Infotech accountants analyze the financial impact of IT investments, projects, and expenditures. They assess the cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of IT initiatives.
• IT Budgetary Controls: They help develop and manage IT budgets, ensuring that IT expenditures align with the organization’s financial goals and constraints. This includes cost control measures to avoid overspending.
• Information Asset Management: Infotech accountants oversee the accounting and management of IT assets, such as hardware, software licenses, and digital infrastructure. They track the depreciation of IT assets and manage their disposal when necessary.
• Setting up Lean Modern Accounting Department: You can take this fact to the bank ‘old school accounting department is a thing of the past’ Not everyone knows how to set up an accounting department in digital age. The infotech accountant excels at this.
• Compliance and Risk Management: They ensure that IT practices and expenditures comply with relevant financial regulations and industry standards. They also assess and manage financial risks associated with IT projects and operations. Someone needs to keep resolving the long standing conflicts between accounting regulators and accounting technologies at the end of the day.
• Internal Auditing: Infotech accountants conduct internal audits of IT systems and processes to identify financial irregularities, inefficiencies, or opportunities for improvement. They recommend and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Vendor Management: They assess and negotiate IT contracts and vendor agreements to ensure favorable financial terms and compliance with organizational policies.
• Financial Reporting: Infotech accountants prepare financial reports related to IT expenses, budgets, and cost allocations. They may present these reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Cost Allocation: They allocate IT costs to different business units or departments based on usage or other allocation methodologies. This helps in determining the true cost of IT services provided to each part of the organization.
• Taxation and Financial Planning: Infotech accountants may work closely with tax professionals to ensure that IT-related tax implications are properly managed and accounted for. They also contribute to long-term financial planning related to IT investments.
• Advisory Services: They provide financial advice and recommendations to management regarding IT strategies, projects, and investments, helping organizations make informed decisions.
• Data Security and Privacy Compliance: In some cases, infotech accountants may be involved in assessing the financial aspects of data security and privacy compliance, particularly in industries where these concerns are paramount, such as healthcare and finance.
• Systems Integration: Nearly all businesses does one form of infotech systems integration or the other. And who is better qualified to handle this than an infotech accountant?
• Business Continuity Planning: They may contribute to financial aspects of IT-related business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

Infotech accountants bridge the gap between finance and information technology, ensuring that IT resources are managed efficiently and cost-effectively while adhering to financial regulations and organizational financial goals. Their role is crucial in today’s technology-driven business environment, where IT plays a central role in almost every aspect of an organization’s operations.

Definition of System Accountant

A systems accountant is a professional who specializes in designing, implementing, and managing financial systems and processes within an organization to optimize financial operations and reporting through technology

Systems accountants perform some functions of management accountants that specializing in systems, focus on the intersection of accounting and information systems within an organization. They play a vital role in designing, implementing, and maintaining financial systems and processes to ensure accurate financial reporting, efficient financial operations, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Here are some key responsibilities and tasks that systems accountants typically perform:

System Design and Implementation: Systems accountants are involved in designing and implementing financial systems and software applications that support accounting and financial reporting functions. They work to ensure that these systems meet the organization’s specific needs and comply with accounting standards.

Data Integration: They oversee the integration of financial systems with other business systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, to ensure the seamless flow of financial data across the organization.

Data Analysis: Systems accountants use data analytics tools to analyze financial data and extract valuable insights. This analysis can help in identifying trends, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for financial improvement.

Financial Reporting: They are responsible for developing and maintaining financial reports generated by the financial systems. This includes income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and various management reports.

Process Automation: Systems accountants work to automate financial processes wherever possible, reducing manual data entry and the risk of errors. This includes implementing automated workflows for tasks like accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Internal Controls: They establish and monitor internal controls within financial systems to safeguard financial data and prevent fraud. Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) requirements is often a critical aspect of their work.

Customization and Configuration: Systems accountants often customize and configure financial software to meet the organization’s specific reporting and operational needs.

Training and Support: They provide training and support to finance and accounting teams to ensure that they can effectively use and navigate financial systems.

Financial Planning and Forecasting: Systems accountants may use financial systems to support budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting processes. They ensure that the systems can generate the necessary reports and data for these activities.

Compliance and Audit Support: They assist in ensuring that financial systems and processes comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards. They may also support external audits by providing auditors with access to relevant financial data.

Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution: When problems or issues arise with financial systems, systems accountants are responsible for diagnosing and resolving them promptly to minimize disruptions to financial operations.

System Upgrades and Enhancements: They oversee system upgrades and enhancements, ensuring that the latest technology and features are leveraged to improve financial processes and reporting capabilities.

Cost Analysis: Systems accountants may perform cost analyses related to the use and maintenance of financial systems, helping organizations make informed decisions about system investments.

Overall, systems accountants play a critical role in aligning financial systems and processes with an organization’s strategic goals, optimizing financial operations, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data and reporting. Their work contributes to better decision-making, compliance, and efficiency within the finance and accounting functions of an organization.

How do they compare to each other?

Infotech accountants and systems accountants share some similarities in that they both work at the intersection of accounting and technology. However, they have distinct focuses and responsibilities. Here’s a comparison of the two roles:

Infotech Accountant:

Focus: Infotech accountants primarily focus on the financial aspects of information technology (IT) within an organization. They bridge the gap between IT and finance, ensuring that IT resources are managed efficiently from a financial perspective.

Redefined Responsibilities of Infotech Accountants

• Analyzing the financial impact of IT investments and projects.
• Budgeting and cost control for IT expenditures.
• Asset management of IT assets, including depreciation and disposal.
• Compliance and risk management related to IT financial matters.
• Internal auditing of IT systems and processes.
• Vendor management and contract negotiation for IT services.
• Financial reporting related to IT expenses and budgets.
• Taxation and financial planning for IT investments.

Audience: They often work closely with IT professionals and IT management, as well as finance and accounting teams.

Regulatory Focus: They pay significant attention to financial regulations and standards, ensuring that IT practices comply with these requirements.

Key Skills: Infotech accountants need a strong understanding of both finance and IT including coding, as well as the ability to analyze financial data in the context of IT operations.

Systems Accountant:

Focus: Systems accountants concentrate on the design, implementation, and management of financial systems and processes within an organization. Their goal is to optimize financial operations and reporting through technology.

Redefined Responsibilities of Systems Accountants

• Designing and implementing financial systems and software applications.
• Data integration between financial systems and other business systems.
• Data analysis for financial insights and decision-making.
• Financial reporting development and maintenance.
• Process automation to improve efficiency.
• Internal controls to safeguard financial data.
• Customization and configuration of financial software.
• Training and support for finance and accounting teams.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements and audit support.

Audience: They work closely with finance and accounting professionals, as well as IT teams, to ensure that financial systems meet the needs of both departments.

Regulatory Focus: While they are concerned with regulatory compliance within financial systems, their primary focus is on optimizing financial processes and reporting.

Key Skills: Systems accountants require a strong understanding of financial processes and accounting principles, as well as proficiency in implementing and managing financial software and systems.

While both infotech accountants and systems accountants deal with the intersection of finance and technology, they have different primary focuses. Infotech accountants are more IT-centric, whereas systems accountants are more finance-centric. Their responsibilities, audiences, and areas of expertise reflect these distinctions.

Certifications that can take you to either Infotech Accountant Path or systems Accountant Path

Certifications for infotech accountants and systems accountants can vary depending on the specific requirements of the role, industry, and organization. However, there are several certifications that can be relevant to each profession:

Possible Certifications for Infotech Accountants

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): This certification is offered by ISACA and is widely recognized for IT auditors. It demonstrates expertise in auditing, control, assurance, and security of information systems.

Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP): Offered by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), this designation is for CPAs with expertise in technology and information management.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA): While not specific to IT, the CMA designation can be beneficial for infotech accountants as it covers financial management and strategic planning, which are relevant skills.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Similar to CISA, this ISACA certification focuses on information security management, which is critical for IT financial professionals dealing with sensitive data.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): Also from ISACA, CRISC certification focuses on risk management and control assurance in IT environments.

Project Management Professional (PMP): While not specific to IT, PMP certification can be valuable for infotech accountants involved in IT project management.

Possible Certifications for Systems Accountants:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA credential is a foundational certification for accountants and can be relevant for systems accountants, especially those who deal with financial systems.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA): This designation covers various aspects of financial management and can be beneficial for systems accountants involved in optimizing financial processes.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): While typically associated with IT auditors, CISA can also be relevant for systems accountants, especially those who focus on internal controls within financial systems.

Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP): Offered by the AICPA, this certification is specifically designed for CPAs with expertise in technology and information management, making it suitable for systems accountants.

Certified Financial Systems Auditor (CFSA): This certification from The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) focuses on auditing financial systems, which aligns well with the role of systems accountants.

Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert: If an organization relies on Microsoft Dynamics 365 for its financial systems, this certification can be relevant for systems accountants involved in implementing and managing these systems.

It’s important to note that the specific certification requirements and preferences can vary by employer and industry. Professionals in both roles may choose to pursue certifications that align with their career goals and the specific technologies and systems they work with.

Additionally, continuing education and staying updated on industry trends and regulations are essential for both infotech and systems accountants. It will not be out of scope if you learn how to become a technology accountant to future proof your career.