Remote accounting jobs decline amid in-office push

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A person works from home inTiskilwa, Illinois.
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

Accounting jobs that allow employees to work remotely may be disappearing as more employers demand people return to the office. 

Only 0.85% of accounting job postings advertised on sites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn are remote, with the vast majority of posts (70.61%) asking for on-site workers, according to a new analysis. The analysis, released Thursday, by Vintti.com, a remote recruiting company, found that hybrid positions, which provide some flexibility, still comprise a substantial proportion at 28.54%. While many industries continue to lean into remote work, the accounting sector is experiencing a reversal, with firms and companies both pushing for a return to in-office environments. 

The average salary for accounting professionals is around $86,402.86, according to the analysis, but that number covers a wide range, from entry-level positions starting at $31,250 to high-paying senior roles that can reach up to $270,000. Senior roles that require substantial experience account for nearly 72% of all job postings, indicating demand for seasoned professionals is at an all-time high. 

"What stands out here is the stark contrast between the decline of remote opportunities and the stability of salary expectations," said the analysis. "Despite the decrease in flexible work options, companies are not increasing pay. In fact, the average compensation for senior accountants, controllers and financial officers has remained unchanged. For those looking to enter the job market, this could mean a tough choice: either return to the office for the same salary or hold out for the possibility of remote work, which is becoming increasingly rare. "

The analysis found that accounting firms represent only 6.7% of the total job postings, while the majority of available roles are within larger corporations across various industries. Companies are actively seeking senior-level professionals who have years of experience, and those remain the most searched-for positions within the accounting field.

"As the labor market evolves and the push for in-person work intensifies, it remains to be seen whether remote work will make a comeback in accounting or whether this shift to traditional office environments is here to stay," said the report. "For now, accountants may find themselves with a tough decision: return to the office for the same pay or wait for remote opportunities to regain traction."

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