Accounting clerk careers are an excellent choice for people who love working with numbers and figures. Most business owners do not have the time to devote to dealing with their own accounting or bookkeeping tasks, so they look to a financial clerk and other accounting professionals to do it for them. Employers depend upon accounting clerks and tax experts to help them file essential financial records and financial statements, income taxes, keep a general ledger of daily transactions, use Quickbooks or excel or other bookkeeping software to the fullest extent, manage billing, accounts payable, overdue accounts, and much more.
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Steps to Become an Accounting Clerk
- Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent
Focus on courses like math, computer skills, and business studies to build a foundation for accounting tasks.
- Consider Earning a Postsecondary Certificate or Associate Degree
Enroll in a program focused on accounting, finance, or business administration to gain specialized knowledge.
- Develop Essential Skills
Improve proficiency in spreadsheets, accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks), data entry, and organizational skills.
- Gain Experience with an Internship or Entry-Level Role
Apply for internships or junior positions to gain hands-on experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable, or similar roles.
- Seek Certification (Optional)
Pursue certifications like the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) or Accredited Business Accountant (ABA) to enhance your qualifications.
- Apply for Accounting Clerk Positions
Prepare a strong resume highlighting your education, experience, and skills. Search for job openings in businesses, government offices, or accounting firms.
- Continue Professional Development
Stay updated on accounting practices, software advancements, and regulations. Consider pursuing further education or certifications to advance your career.
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What is an Accounting Clerk?
Accounting clerks, or bookkeepers, handle a wide range of accounting tasks that support business operations, such as managing company books, processing purchase orders and vouchers, and performing general data entry while maintaining proper accounting procedures. This allows business owners to focus on management rather than finances. Before taking an accounting clerk job, familiarize yourself with the specific responsibilities the role entails. Basic math and computer skills may help you land an entry-level position, but to truly succeed, you may need on-the-job learning or postsecondary education, including accounting coursework or a bookkeeping certificate.
Those holding a clerk job are often key personnel who are responsible for handling payroll, including accounts payable and accounts receivable along with some employee record keeping.
The general qualifications and important qualities of an accounting clerk are listed below:
- Ability to handle ledgers with few or no errors, which should include billing, financial transactions, some work experience with accounting software, etc. Â
- Strong math skills with meticulous precision and attention to detail Â
- Desire to help others meet their financial goals Â
- Good customer service or industry knowledge and communication
While clerks don't have to be experts in customer service, they should be prepared to handle any financial questions that B2B partners might have about a company's economic status, being careful to be discreet when necessary to keep proprietary or management issues private, depending on the policy of the company.
All of these skills are important when working as an accounting clerk.
Accounting Clerk Career Options and Job Duties
The daily duties of an accounting clerk vary according to need. Below are some of the typical job titles that you may find yourself taking on in this profession.
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Bookkeeper:
As a bookkeeper, you manage the ledgers of a business or individual, tracking incoming and outgoing revenue, as well as profit and loss. These records are stored as debits or credits in the accounting system. Neatness and organization are key to keeping the books in order. There are many opportunities for advancement, especially if you're willing to pursue further education or a degree to move up to the next level.
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Auditor:
Some businesses have internal auditing clerks, while others rely on external auditors, such as those from the IRS or government agencies. State auditors are common as businesses must follow strict accounting regulations to avoid penalties and comply with state laws. An auditing clerk must be familiar with all financial aspects of the business, including spending and debt management.
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Accountant:
The accountant is the primary person a business owner relies on to manage finances, bills, and income. Accountants are well-paid and expected to follow general accounting principles to maintain accuracy. While an accounting clerk may have an accounting or business degree, they are not considered full-fledged accountants, though they may perform some accounting duties, especially in businesses without a dedicated accountant.
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Advisor/Consultant:
If you serve in the capacity of an advisor or financial consultant, you may offer advice based on what you know of finance and accounting that can be helpful to a client. However, it is important to remember that you are not a tax attorney or public accountant. Be careful to stick to the more practical issues regarding a business owner's financial information and to refer them to attorneys or full accountants for more detailed issues in these areas.
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What Does an Accounting Clerk Do?
The day-to-day tasks of an accounting clerk typically involve lighter accounting and bookkeeping duties. Basic math skills and organization are key, especially when assisting small business owners. Many businesses prefer hiring an accounting clerk rather than a full-time accountant, as the clerk can perform similar tasks at a lower cost, with less extensive education or experience compared to an accountant or tax specialist.
That being said, it would be in the best interest of anyone seeking work in this profession to improve their skills in all areas, especially in the field of tax preparation. In fact, it is a good idea to simultaneously seek to complete a degree program and certification as a tax preparer if you want to increase your skills and get an edge on your competition and earn a senior position.
People seek accountants and clerks for both personal and business needs, so offering a range of services can increase your earnings. For instance, you can help a business owner set up their bookkeeping system, maintain their ledger, and also prepare their taxes. You can invoice separately for bookkeeping and tax preparation, with tax preparation billed based on the time and research required.
Helping with General Tasks
Another possible job that you could find yourself doing in your role as an accounting clerk is that of helping the accounting department. While clerks do not serve as the primary accountant in most cases, they can be of great help to the other accountants and help them remember things they may forget to keep the finances of a business running smoothly.
Many larger firms or businesses choose to use a clerk at the front office to handle things like payroll, invoices, and incoming receipts or purchases, then pass the more difficult, tax-preparation type jobs to the CPAs (certified public accountants). This is the best scenario if a business can afford to hire both. Check with your local businesses as you are proceeding with your training to see which companies have this type of business model.
Smaller businesses may opt only to hire an accounting clerk and not have a full-time accountant. Others may outsource their accounting work to one accountant instead. It's wise to check around to see which business or institution offers the best opportunity for you to work in this profession.
What are the Education Requirements to Become an Accounting Clerk?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that you are not required to receive a degree in accounting, business, or any other related field to work as an accounting clerk. However, some college is needed to learn the basic math and business skills that you will likely encounter on the job.
BLS also states that "some college" is needed, but a college degree is not required to seek employment as an accounting clerk. However, the more education and skills you can master along the way, the more you can offer your clients once you get ready to set up shop. That said, you may consider an associate’s in accounting or even a bachelor of accounting to improve your job prospects.
The primary job of an accounting clerk is to log all of the incoming and outgoing invoices and payments that a company makes. They may also be required to dispute a charge made to the business if it appears they were overbilled. Taking care of the business owner's best interests and keeping their books in order is the first order of the day for an accounting clerk. They are also the first line of defense when it comes to audits and other issues that might threaten the finances of a business. While they are not attorneys or accountants, the accounting clerk is a "watchdog" of the funds of a business that guard it against potential loss. This is an outstanding job, and many business owners are willing to pay nicely for this service.
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Career Development and Average Salary
Average Accounting Clerk Salary: $47,440
If you are looking for the salary information for accounting clerks, the median annual salary was listed as $47,440 as of May 2023. This varies, however, based on the particular job you are doing, who you are working for, and other factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.com) listed the salary as being between $32,460 and $68,860 per year.
| 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|
| $32,460 | $47,440 | $68,860 |
If you aspire to pursue an accounting career as an accounting clerk, we've designed an accessible guide that you can use to follow that will help you reach your goals. Remember that this is not the only path to success as an accounting clerk, but it is one of the simplest ways to reach your goals.
What Certifications or Licensing is Required?
To obtain the credentials to become an accounting clerk, follow these steps to achieve this status:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent from an accredited public or private school.
- Attend college and take some basic math and business or accounting courses. (An associate degree may help you be more competitive.)
- Consider getting an accounting certificate or degree to present yourself as an accounting professional.
- Apply for an internship or ask to shadow a clerk in a reputable firm or business to learn the ropes and "best practices".
- Apply for a job and update your resume to show any accounting-related positions or courses you have taken to increase your chances of success.
Start Your New Career Path
Many business owners pay top dollar for someone to handle their books because it's time-consuming and can be a headache, especially at tax time. They want to maximize tax breaks, save money, and stay on top of daily income and expenses to keep their business running smoothly.
While accountants handle the more complex tasks like filing taxes, disputing claims, or involving legal departments, accounting clerks also play an expert role but with less educational background than a CPA, making their job more focused on simpler tasks.
For those seeking a good job without the time and investment required for a CPA, the accounting clerk career is a great option. If you're good at math, enjoy crunching numbers, and managing a business's finances, this could be the career for you.
Attending a business or technical school for basic accounting training is often enough to prepare for this rewarding career. Additionally, many online accounting programs allow you to earn a degree or certification from home. Unlike CPAs, you typically won't need to update your credentials regularly.
This is one of those jobs that many business owners do not want to do and will often hire out for these tasks. As an accounting clerk, you can make your mark in the accounting field without spending years in traditional education settings.
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