Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
Sample of reported job titles:
Account Clerk, Accounting Assistant, Accounting Associate, Accounting Clerk, Accounting Specialist, Accounting Technician, Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Payable Specialist, Accounts Payables Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
- Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.
Technology Skills
- Accounting software:Accounts payable software,Accounts receivable software,Accurate NXG,ACS Technologies ACS Financial Suite,Activant Solutions Activant Prophet 21,AdaptaSoft CyberPay,American HealthTech Financial,Asset management software,ATX Total Accounting Office,ATX Total Engagement Office,Automation Counselors municiPAL,Best MIP Fund Accounting,Blackbaud The Financial Edge,BLS Software Invoice!,CCIS AccountAbility,ComputerEase construction accounting software,Cost accounting software,CYMA IV Accounting for Windows,Fifth Walk BillingTracker,Financial reporting software,Financial statement software,FlexiFinancials FlexiLedger,Fund accounting software,General ledger software,Heron CrossTie General Ledger,Infor Global Solutions Starbuilder,Intuit QuickBooks,New Millennium Communications Genesis Accounting,PROPHIX Enterprise,Quicken,Roundtable Software Advantage Accounting System,Sage 50 Accounting,Softrax Revenue Management,Tax software,UA Business Software Professional Edition
- Business intelligence and data analysis software:IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software:Dropbox,Google Drive,Microsoft SharePoint
- Compliance software:Corporate Responsibility System Technologies Limited CRSTL Compliance Positioning System,Financial compliance software,Intrax ProcedureNet,Paisley Cardmap,Paisley Focus Control Assurance,Paisley RiskNavigator,Sage EDP Payroll Tax
- Customer relationship management CRM software:Act!,Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Calculate financial data.
- Code data or other information.
- Collect deposits, payments or fees.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:95% responded"Every day"
- Electronic Mail:94% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:86% responded"Every day"
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate:81% responded"Extremely important"
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks:68% responded"Extremely important"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Mathematics:Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Administrative:Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Economics and Accounting:Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 41%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 21%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 12%Bachelor's Degree
- 9%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Mathematical Reasoning:The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Interests
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Enterprising:Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Work Styles
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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