How to Be Accounting Clerk - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 20, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The lack of an accounting clerk can have serious consequences on a business. Without an accounting clerk to manage the finances, it can be difficult to track expenses and income, leading to inaccurate financial statements and unreliable data. Inaccurate financial statements can lead to problems with cash flow, resulting in late payments to vendors and suppliers and difficulty paying employees on time. This can in turn lead to bad relationships with vendors and employees, resulting in decreased productivity and morale.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. To become an accounting clerk, you must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Get Relevant Work Experience. While it is not required to become an accounting clerk, having experience with bookkeeping and accounting can help you stand out from the competition and make you a more attractive job candidate. You can gain this experience by taking classes, volunteering at a local business, or working as an intern.
Take Accounting Courses. Taking courses in accounting can help you understand the basics of accounting and show potential employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in the field. Many community colleges and universities offer courses in accounting that can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the role of an accounting clerk.
Obtain Certification. Obtaining certification as an accounting clerk can help you stand out amongst other job candidates. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) offers a certification program for accounting clerks that is recognized by employers.
Apply for Accounting Clerk Positions. Once you have obtained your high school diploma or GED, gained some relevant work experience, taken accounting courses, and obtained certification, you can start applying for accounting clerk positions. You can search for open positions on job search websites, or contact local businesses directly.

Accounting clerks are reliable and capable when they are organized, efficient, and detail-oriented. Being organized allows them to keep up with their workload and complete tasks on time. Efficiency helps them to complete tasks quickly and accurately, while also allowing them to work smarter, not harder.

Attention to detail is important because it ensures accuracy and prevents mistakes that can be costly to the company. Those who possess these traits are more likely to succeed in their role as an accounting clerk, providing reliable and capable service to their employers.

You may want to check Accounting Director, Accounts Receivable Analyst, and Senior Account Executive for alternative.

Job Description

Prepare and maintain financial records by verifying, allocating, and posting transactions.
Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, reports, and other financial statements according to established procedures.
Research and resolve discrepancies in financial records.
Maintain accounts receivable and accounts payable ledgers.
Prepare bank deposits and record receipts.
Reconcile bank statements.
Compile data and prepare periodic and special reports, charts, and graphs.
Analyze financial information to recommend or develop efficient use of resources and procedures.
Review and verify accuracy of journal entries and accounting classifications assigned to various records.
Prepare journal entries.
Update and maintain accounting journals, ledgers, and other records detailing financial business transactions.
Prepare payroll entries.
Monitor accounts to ensure payments are up to date.
Keep accurate records of all financial transactions.
Assist with annual audits.
Support senior accountants in the preparation of monthly/yearly closings.
Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
Proficiency in the use of computers and accounting software
Strong numerical and analytical skills
Attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to meet deadlines
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload
Ability to work independently or with a team
Knowledge of general office procedures

Having strong organizational skills makes a great Accounting Clerk. Being able to organize and prioritize tasks, as well as having excellent attention to detail, are essential for success in this role. As an Accounting Clerk, it is important to be able to accurately process data, analyze financial information, and detect discrepancies.

Strong math skills are also essential for this role, as you need to be able to accurately calculate financial records. having knowledge of accounting software and the ability to troubleshoot can help you ensure accurate financial records. Good communication skills are also important, as you will need to be able to effectively communicate with clients and other members of the accounting team.

Finally, strong problem-solving skills are beneficial, as you may be required to solve complex accounting issues. With these important skills, an Accounting Clerk can effectively ensure accurate financial records and provide clients with the best service possible.

Account Coordinator, Junior Accountant, and Senior Account Representative are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in accounting?
How would you handle a situation where the budget is exceeded?
Describe a time when you had to prioritize tasks to meet a deadline.
What experience do you have with accounts payable and receivable?
Describe a difficult situation you faced when dealing with an accounting issue.
How would you ensure accuracy in reporting financial data?
Explain your understanding of financial statements and their importance.
How do you stay organized when working on multiple projects?
What methods do you use to detect errors in accounting records?
How do you stay informed of changes in accounting regulations?

Common Tools in Industry

Accounting Software. This software helps to manage and keep track of financial transactions and accounts. (e. g. QuickBooks, Sage)
Spreadsheet Software. This software helps to organize, calculate, and analyze data. (e. g. Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
Invoicing Software. This software helps to create and send invoices quickly and easily. (e. g. FreshBooks, Zoho Invoice)
Tax Preparation Software. This software helps to prepare taxes efficiently and accurately. (e. g. TurboTax, H&R Block)
Time Tracking Software. This software helps to track the time spent on each task. (e. g. Toggl, Harvest)
Document Management Software. This software helps to store and organize documents electronically. (e. g. Dropbox, Box)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA)
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
National Society of Accountants (NSA)
American Accounting Association (AAA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
American Payroll Association (APA)
Financial Executives International (FEI)

We also have Junior Account Representative, Account Executive, and Accounts Receivable Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Accounts Payable. The accounts payable department is responsible for ensuring that all bills and invoices are paid on time.
Accounts Receivable. The accounts receivable department is responsible for ensuring that all customer payments are received and recorded correctly.
Bank Reconciliation. The process of comparing the bank statement with the internal bookkeeping records to make sure that all the transactions are accurate and up-to-date.
General Ledger. The general ledger is a central record of all the financial transactions of an organization.
Journal Entries. A record of all transactions made during an accounting period, including debit and credit entries.
Variance Analysis. A process used to compare actual results with expected results by analyzing the differences between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed for an Accounting Clerk?

Generally, a high school diploma or GED is necessary to become an Accounting Clerk. Additionally, having knowledge of basic accounting principles and some experience in data entry and bookkeeping can be beneficial.

What type of skills are needed to be a successful Accounting Clerk?

A successful Accounting Clerk needs strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they should have excellent attention to detail, basic math and accounting skills, knowledge of relevant computer software, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

What areas of responsibility fall under the Accounting Clerk role?

Account Clerks typically handle a variety of tasks including data entry, recording of financial transactions, verifying accuracy of calculations, preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts, and assisting in the preparation of budgets.

What kind of technology do Accounting Clerks use?

Accounting Clerks typically use software such as QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), and accounting databases to manage financial data.