Accounting Clerk Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides exhaustive information on the job description of an accounting clerk, including the duties, tasks, and responsibilities they perform.

What Does an Accounting Clerk Do?

Accounting clerks, also referred to as bookkeepers or finance clerks, work in different types of organizations and businesses.

The accounting clerk job description includes keeping financial records up to date and helping to prepare accounts.

If you’re a person who is well organized and have good computer skills with a head for figures, this could be a type of job you would really enjoy.

To start with, employers are likely to look for people with GCSEs, that is, grade A-C, which includes mathematics and English.

Having A levels in mathematics, economics and business studies could also be useful. One could also enter this career via apprenticeship scheme.

Accounting clerks are responsible for providing accounting supervisors with accounting support and other managers with accounting duties within the department.

They handle accounts payable duties, enter daily worksheets to the general ledger system, assist accounting personnel and ensure files are complete and maintained as needed.

Accounting clerks verify, organize, process, and store an organization’s financial records.

While they may still rely on the traditional pencil, paper, and calculator to perform their role as a clerk, many of them also use computer databases and bookkeeping software.

They take cash, receive, and record checks and other payment methods.

They produce reports and reconcile any differences found in records as needed, which may include profit charts or income statements and balance sheets.

In small businesses, the accounting clerk may handle all aspects of financial functions. However, in large corporations, clerks often times specialize in one or more tasks like accounts payable or receivable.

Accounting clerks are required to have several skills to perform their duties.

They must be proficient at mathematics since dealing with numbers is the major responsibility of their job.

They must keep accurate records, be detail-oriented and be able to spot financial errors made by others.

They need use software and computer skills to perform many of their functions.

Accounting clerks at times deal with sensitive financial information that affect the organization’s day to day activities.

Consequently, being confidential is a necessity for them and they must make sure that records are easily accessible to company decision-makers and also maintain transparency.

Accounting Clerk Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Here is an example of the kind of job description accounting clerks usually execute, showing important duties,
tasks, and responsibilities, which individuals holding the position usually perform.

Employers may require that the accounting clerk performs all or some of the functions, depending on their needs for hiring the clerk.

• Type accurately and keep records
• Prepare general ledger postings, bank deposits and statements
• Reconcile accounts as at when due
• Provide support and assistance to company personnel
• Investigate and restore documentation or accounting discrepancies and problems
• Notify management, and compile reports on activity areas
• Work according to established procedures, standards, and applicable laws
• Sort and compile checks and invoices
• Issue our checks for accounts payable
• Mail checks
• Enter daily worksheets to the general ledger system and record business transactions
• Record refunds and charges
• Support accounting personnel
• Input invoices, checks, vouchers, reports, account statements and other records
• Provide front desk customer service
• File and tally deposits
• Work with calculators, databases, adding machines and bank accounts
• Match invoices to work orders
• Process bills for payment
• Open mails
• Match payments to invoices
• Arrange for money meant to be delivered to bank
• Ensure that receipts for payments are received by company, and that refunds to customers reach them.

Accounting Clerk Job Description for Resume

Resumes for the post of accounting clerk can be prepared by using information from job descriptions like the sample above to write the professional work history section of the resume.

This section confirms to the hiring manager that the applicant has the necessary experience and expertise to perform effectively on the job.

Accounting Clerk Requirements – Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills for Career Success

Most employers would insist applicants for the accounting clerk’s position possess the following requirements.

• Not less than 3 years of accounting experience
• Competency in accounting software and databases, as well as MS Office
• Attention to detail
• Ability to ensure accuracy in job delivery
• Possess strong aptitude for numbers
• Ability to properly organize and prioritize tasks, as well as office environment
• Having a diploma from completing high school, or its equivalent qualification
• Associate’s degree and any other relevant certification is a plus.