The responsibilities of a chief accounting officer (CAO) include leading the accounting department of a business and managing its day-to-day operations. In this career, you prepare the budget and regulatory reporting and monitor and analyze finances relative to the budget or other metrics. Other duties include leading the accounting staff, putting together monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting, including audited financial statements, studying historical financial reporting, and managing general accounting, such as accounts receivable and payable and fixed assets. You are also expected to oversee accounting for payroll, workers’ comp, healthcare, bonuses, bank reconciliations, and more. You prepare presentations and provide information for cost reports to analyze the financial position of the business while providing recommendations to improve performance.