Accounting Clerk

Account Clerk, Accounting Assistant, Accounting Clerk, Accounts Payables Clerk
Job Description

An Accounting Clerk is a professional responsible for performing a range of accounting, bookkeeping, and financial tasks to support the financial functions of an organization. They play a crucial role in maintaining financial records, processing transactions, and assisting with audits and budget preparation.

Typical Preparation

Education: Some college, no degree

Years in related career: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term

Outlook

Projected Growth: -6.2% (negative growth)

Annual job openings: 170,000

Direct AI exposure: 14% of tasks

Potential AI exposure: 49% of tasks

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $51K per year.
Bottom 10%Bottom 25%Median (average)Top 25%Top 10%
$36K
per year
$44K
per year
$51K
per year
$62K
per year
$75K
per year
Compared to other careers: Median is $310 below the national average.

What does an Accounting Clerk do?

Intro video

(less than 2 minutes)

Duties

  • Maintains financial records and prepares reports.
  • Processes transactions, such as accounts payable and receivable.
  • Reconciles bank statements and ledger accounts.
  • Assists with budget preparation and audits.
  • Handles inquiries and communicates with other departments regarding financial matters.

Work environment

Accounting Clerks typically work in office settings within the finance departments of corporations, government agencies, non-profits, or accounting firms. Their work is usually full-time, with additional hours during busy periods such as the end of the fiscal year or tax season.

Typical Schedule

Areas of specialization

  • Accounts Payable/Receivable: Managing incoming and outgoing payments.
  • Payroll Processing: Handling employee salaries, wages, and tax withholdings.
  • Bookkeeping: Maintaining accurate financial records and ledgers.
  • Tax Preparation: Assisting with tax document preparation and filing.
  • Financial Reporting: Compiling data for financial reports and statements.

Description

Accounting Clerks are essential to the efficient operation of an organization's financial department. They ensure that financial transactions are accurately recorded and that records are kept up-to-date. This requires attention to detail, good numerical skills, and a solid understanding of accounting principles.

The job often involves using specialized accounting software, spreadsheets, and databases, so proficiency in these technologies is important. Accounting Clerks must also be able to work well under pressure, especially when facing tight deadlines. Good communication skills are necessary for interacting with other departments, vendors, or clients.

This career offers a stable and structured work environment and can be a stepping stone to more advanced accounting or finance roles. It is well-suited to individuals who are organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy working with numbers.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

You might make a good Accounting Clerk if you are...

Pros:

  • Stable and consistent work environment.
  • Opportunities for advancement in accounting and finance.
  • The satisfaction of contributing to the financial success of an organization.

Cons:

  • Can be repetitive and require long periods of desk work.
  • Deadlines and busy periods may lead to increased work pressure.
  • Requires continuous learning to keep up with accounting standards and software.

How to become an Accounting Clerk

Typical education

A high school diploma is often required, with most employers preferring candidates who have completed some post-secondary education in accounting or a related field. This could include a certificate, diploma, or associate degree, amounting to 1-2 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

  • Mathematics for fundamental numeric skills.
  • Business Studies to understand basic business principles.
  • Accounting or Bookkeeping if available.
  • Computer Science for skills in relevant software.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

  • Join business or finance clubs.
  • Participate in math or accounting competitions.
  • Volunteer or intern in administrative or finance roles.

Preparation after high school

  • Pursue a certificate or associate degree in accounting, business, or finance.
  • Gain practical experience through internships or part-time jobs in accounting or bookkeeping.
  • Learn accounting software and tools, as proficiency in these is often required.

More resources

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