Office & Administrative Support
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Also called: Account Clerk, Accounting Assistant, Accounting Associate, Accounting Clerk
US median pay
$50,670
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-5.6%
declining
Openings a year (US)
144,100
1,532,400 employed
Typical entry education
Some college, no degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
- Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
- Code documents according to company procedures.
- Perform financial calculations, such as amounts due, interest charges, balances, discounts, equity, and principal.
- Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
- Perform general office duties, such as filing, answering telephones, and handling routine correspondence.
- Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.0/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Persuasion2.2/5
- Negotiation2.2/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Economics and Accounting3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Some college, no degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma41%
- Post-secondary certificate21%
- Bachelor's degree12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.