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Graduate Accountant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Staff Accountant

Chestnut Hill, MA · On-site

$60K - $79K/yr

... graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 ... The Staff Accountant reports to the Manager, Tax & Financial Compliance, and provides assistance on ...

Staff Accountant

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$60K - $79K/yr

This role is responsible for core accounting functions, with a secondary responsibility for ... its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied ...

Staff Accountant

Cambridge, MA

$60K - $79K/yr

This role is responsible for core accounting functions, with a secondary responsibility for ... its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied ...

Relevant graduate degree (e.g., MBA,MSA,DBA, PhD) from an accredited universityand preferably one or more professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA). Previouscollege or university teaching ...

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Graduate Accountant information

See Boston, MA salary details

$15

$28

$46

How much do graduate accountant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate accountant in Boston, MA is $28.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.03 and $32.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate accountant?

A graduate accountant assists clients or a business in handling tax issues or day-to-day accounting needs. As the name implies, graduate accountants have typically earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in accounting and can begin finding work at a firm. Daily job duties include speaking with clients through phone and email, analyzing accounts, and providing information to clients based on this data. In this role, you also continuously undergo training to keep up with new rules and regulations as they apply to the business of managing accounts. To succeed in this career, you need strong interpersonal and organizational skills as well as knowledge of tax activities. Some graduate accountants partake in an internship at a firm to gain experience and then land a job once they’ve earned the educational qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate accountant, and why are they important?

To excel as a Graduate Accountant, a solid understanding of accounting principles, a relevant degree in accounting or finance, and strong analytical skills are essential. Familiarity with accounting software such as MYOB, Xero, or QuickBooks, and working towards or holding certifications like CPA or CA is highly valued. Attention to detail, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accuracy in financial reporting, compliance with regulations, and effective collaboration within finance teams.

What are some common challenges new graduate accountants face during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Graduate Accountants often encounter challenges such as adapting to professional accounting software, balancing multiple client deadlines, and understanding complex regulatory requirements. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to actively seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, participate in training sessions, and maintain organized work habits. Proactively asking questions and regularly reviewing technical accounting updates can also help ease the transition and build confidence in the role.

What is the difference between Graduate Accountant vs Junior Accountant?

AspectGraduate AccountantJunior Accountant
Required CredentialsTypically a recent degree in accounting or financeOften holds a degree or is in early career stage
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused roles in accounting firms or corporate financeSupport roles in accounting departments, assisting with basic accounting tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by firms hiring recent graduates for training programsCommonly used in companies for entry-level accounting support
Comparison Search IntentLooking to start a career in accountingSeeking an entry-level accounting position

The main difference between a Graduate Accountant and a Junior Accountant lies in experience and career stage. Graduate Accountants are typically recent graduates entering training programs, while Junior Accountants are early-career professionals supporting accounting functions. Both roles serve as stepping stones in the accounting industry, with Graduate Accountants focusing on learning and development, and Junior Accountants handling more routine tasks.

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Accountant jobs in Boston, MA?

For Graduate Accountant jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Accountant jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Accountant jobs in Boston, MA are:

Infographic showing various Graduate Accountant job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $59,552 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

Staff Accountant

Chestnut Hill, MA • On-site


Boston College
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by parents


$60K - $79K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Boston College Introduction
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
Job Description
The Staff Accountant reports to the Manager, Tax & Financial Compliance, and provides assistance on a wide range of financial accounting, reporting, and administrative activities to ensure adherence to state, federal, and international tax laws; also prepares comprehensive tax work papers, researching various tax topics while maintaining tax return records and reports, gathers documentation and prepares responses for the Managers review related to tax audits. In addition, the Staff Accountant will assist with the preparation and timely filing of the University's 990 tax return, review of unrelated business income and other reporting issues for the 990T return, and any related foreign filings.
The Staff Accountant will oversee the University's foreign wire transfer process, including the processing and review of foreign wires for potential international tax compliance issues as well as coordination with requesting departments and the University's external service provider. Similarly, this position will act as a liaison with the General Counsel's Office, Human Resources, and other Finance departments to help ensure compliance with IRS, federal, and state rules and regulations. Additional responsibilities will consist of assistance with vouchers/requisition approval as well as year-end account reconciliations.
Title and salary commensurate with relevant experience based on the following titles and full-time equivalent hiring ranges:
  • Senior Staff Accountant: $82,100 - $102,650; 5+ years related professional experience
  • Staff Accountant: $74,450 - $93,050; 3-5 years related professional experience

Requirements
  • This position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting; CPA and MBA preferred.
  • Must be detail-oriented with strong statistical and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • A solid understanding of IRS, federal, and state tax rules and regulations.

Closing Statement
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility:
  • Tuition remission for Employees
  • Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
  • Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Low-Cost Life Insurance
  • Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
  • Paid Holidays Annually
  • Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
  • Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook

Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.


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