Accounting Clerk

Your Fit

Income

$47K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

-6.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Accounting Clerk?

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.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Accounting Clerk.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Accounting Clerk earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$32K per year	$39K per year	$47K per year	$58K per year	$69K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $620 below the national average.

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What does an Accounting Clerk do?

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.

Quick task list

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.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

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

Playing a key role in the financial health of an organization.
Opportunities for career growth and advancement in the accounting field.
The structured and methodical nature of the work.

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

Detail-oriented and have a knack for numbers.
Skilled in organization and time management.
Proficient in using accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Interested in finance and accounting principles.

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:

Joining business or finance clubs.
Participating in math or accounting competitions.
Volunteering or interning in administrative or finance roles.

Preparation after high school

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

More resources

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) - Offers certification and resources for bookkeeping professionals.
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) - Provides training, certification, and licensing for accounting and bookkeeping professionals.
AccountingCoach - A resource offering free and paid training in accounting basics and advanced topics.
QuickBooks Training - Offers training for one of the most widely used accounting software in the industry.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.