If you want to begin a career in accounting, one way to start is as an accounting clerk. This entry-level position requires some formal education, fundamental skills, and other qualifications. On-the-job training, accounting certifications, and additional education can move you forward on your career path.
Discover what your experience as an accounting clerk should be like. If you like what you learn, let us help you find your first role.
Accounting Clerk Responsibilities
As an accounting clerk, you use accounting practices and procedures to support a company’s financial operations. This means you ensure that daily accounting functions run accurately. Responsibilities include updating financial records, generating financial reports, and reconciling bank statements. They involve using accounting software programs to process transactions related to business dealings, such as accounts payable/receivable, expense receipts, and cash transactions. Other duties may include gathering and organizing financial data for audits, tracking tax payments and compiling information for tax filing, or tracking company credit card charges.
Accounting Clerk Requirements
The requirements to become an accounting clerk depend on the role you want. An entry-level position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Knowledge of business management, accounting software and applications, and basic accounting tasks like core cost and financial and managerial accounting processes and methods is important. You must be proficient in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), current federal and state regulations, and preparation of tax, payroll, and financial statements.
Accounting Clerk Skills
Your career as an accounting clerk requires a diverse skill set. Organization is necessary to create simple methods to handle complex tasks, filter incoming and outgoing communication, and establish processes to complete daily responsibilities. Critical thinking is required to make logical judgments based on research and experience and solve complicated problems. Communication is needed to share ideas and information clearly and concisely and explain complex topics in a way that nonfinancial professionals understand. Proficiency in technology is critical to use accounting software programs and applications to perform your work.
Accounting Clerk Training
Because job tasks vary by industry and company, you typically train for an entry-level accounting clerk position under a supervisor or senior employee’s guidance. Training often involves learning to complete basic tasks where the methods and technology are learned through hands-on experience, such as double-entry bookkeeping.
Accounting Clerk Certifications
Earning accounting clerk certification validates your expertise in the field. Certification provides more theoretical and practical knowledge of your responsibilities, tests your professional skills, and can advance your career. You may become a Certified Bookkeeper to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in performing bookkeeping tasks in line with GAAP. Or, you might earn certification through the National Bookkeepers Association to validate your accounting knowledge and skills and distinguish yourself from other accounting professionals.
Secure an Accounting Clerk Role
Secure an accounting clerk role with help from KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting. We match you with employers who need the skills you have to grow their business. Check out our job board today.