Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Careers
For bookkeeping, accounting, and audit clerks, details rule the day. These professionals are responsible for maintaining the financial integrity of an organization by keeping track of income and expenditures, typically using accounting software. They look for errors in data and are responsible for checking the accuracy of the financial figures that they work with.
Bookkeeping clerks, accounting clerks, and audit clerks all have related but different responsibilities. Bookkeeping clerks typically are responsible for all or most of an organization’s accounting, while accounting clerks may keep track of only a specific portion of income and expenditures. Audit clerks are responsible for checking the accuracy of numbers, and frequently check the work of other accountants.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Career Snapshot
Most larger organizations and companies employ bookkeeping, accounting, and audit clerks, who have the opportunity to work in a variety of office environments. The majority of these professionals work a typical 40 hour work schedule, though they may be asked to work overtime during tax season and other busy times of the year. Part time work is also available, although it is uncommon.
Further details on a career as a bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average pay for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks per year.
decline in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High School Diploma while 27% have some college, but no degree.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Education
Becoming a bookkeeping, accounting, or audit clerk does not necessarily require a degree; 38 percent have only a high school diploma, and another 27 percent have some college education but did not earn a degree. You will, however, need to have math and computer skills. You can become a Certified Bookkeeper without attending college, and doing so will allow you to become a more competitive candidate.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Job Duties
As a bookkeeping, accounting, or audit clerk, you will spend your time working directly with numbers using bookkeeping software. You may prepare and send out invoices, monitor loans, contact customers to request payment, or do a variety of other tasks as your job requires. You need the ability to focus for long periods of time without losing attention to detail.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Salaries
The median salary for clerks in 2015 was $37,250 according to May 2015 statistics from the BLS.gov. Salaries ranged from a high of $57,920 or more for the top 10 percent of earners down to $22,940 or less for the bottom 10 percent.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Job Outlook
In 2014, there were 1,760,300 bookkeeping, accounting, or audit clerks in the United States; however, that number is expected to decline 8 percent by 2024 as software is released that automates many tasks formerly performed by clerks. Overall, the job outlook for these professionals is on a relatively steep decline.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Audit Clerk Skills & Traits
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, Audit Clerk Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Bookkeeping, Accounting, Audit Clerks: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Active listening • Reading comprehension • Speaking • Critical thinking • Mathematics | • Oral comprehension • Written comprehension • Written expression • Mathematical reasoning • Near vision | • Desktop/laptop computers • Scanners • Calculators • Accounting software • Compliance software | • Getting information • Working with computers • Processing information • Documenting information |
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