Most bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are required to have a high school degree at a minimum. However, having some college is increasingly important, and an associate degree in business or accounting is required for some positions. Although a college degree is rarely required, graduates may accept bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk positions to get into a particular company or to enter the accounting or finance field with the hope of eventually being promoted to professional or managerial positions.
Experience in a related job and working in an office environment also is recommended. Employers prefer workers who are computerliterate; knowledge of word-processing and spreadsheet software is especially valuable.
Once hired, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks usually receive on-the-job training. Under the guidance of a supervisor or other senior worker, new employees learn company procedures. Some formal classroom training also may be necessary, such as training in specific computer software. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks must be careful, orderly, and detail-oriented in order to avoid making errors and to recognize errors made by others. These workers also should be discreet and trustworthy because they frequently come in contact with confidential material. In addition, all bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks should have a strong aptitude for numbers.
Bookkeepers, particularly those who handle all the recordkeeping for companies, may find it beneficial to become certified. The Certified Bookkeeper designation, awarded by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, assures employers that individuals have the skills and knowledge required to carry out all the bookkeeping and accounting functions up through the adjusted trial balance, including payroll functions. For certification, candidates must have at least 2 years of bookkeeping experience, pass three tests, and adhere to a code of ethics. More than 100 colleges and universities offer a preparatory course for certification and another 150 offer a course online. The Universal Accounting Center offers the Professional Bookkeeper designation. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks usually advance by taking on more duties in the same occupation for higher pay or by transferring to a closely related occupation. Most companies fill office and administrative support supervisory and managerial positions by promoting individuals from within their organizations, so clerks who acquire additional skills, experience, and training improve their advancement opportunities. With appropriate experience and education, some bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks may become accountants or auditors.
Employment
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks held more than 2 million
jobs in 2004. They are found in all industries and at all levels of
government. Local government and the accounting, tax preparation,
bookkeeping, and payroll services industry are among the individual
industries employing the largest numbers of these clerks. A growing
number work for employment services firms, the result of an
increase in outsourcing of this occupation. About 1 out of 4 bookkeeping,
accounting, and auditing clerks worked part time in 2004.
Job Outlook
Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is
projected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations
through 2014. More job openings will stem from replacement needs
than from job growth. Each year, numerous jobs will become available
as these clerks transfer to other occupations or leave the labor
force. The large size of this occupation ensures plentiful job openings,
including many opportunities for temporary and part-time
work.
Although a growing economy will result in more financial transactions and other activities that require these clerical workers, the continuing spread of office automation will lift worker productivity and contribute to the slower-than-average increase in employment. In addition, organizations of all sizes will continue to downsize and consolidate various recordkeeping functions, thus reducing the demand for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks. Furthermore, some work performed by these workers will be outsourced to lower-wage foreign countries. Those who can carry out a wider range of bookkeeping and accounting activities will be in greater demand than specialized clerks. Demand for full-charge bookkeepers is expected to increase because they are called upon to do much of the work of accountants as well as perform a wider variety of financial transactions, from payroll to billing. Certified bookkeepers and those with several years of accounting or bookkeeper experience will have the best job prospects.
Earnings
In May 2004, the median wage and salary annual earnings of bookkeeping,
accounting, and auditing clerks were $28,570. The middle
half of the occupation earned between $22,960 and $35,450. The top
10 percent of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earned
more than $43,570, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than
$18,580.
Related Occupations
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks work with financial
records. Other clerks who perform similar duties include bill and
account collectors; billing and posting clerks and machine operators;
brokerage clerks; credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks; payroll
and timekeeping clerks; procurement clerks; and tellers.
Sources of Additional Information
For information on the Certified Bookkeeper designation, contact:
- American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, 6001 Montrose Rd., Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20852. Internet: http://www·aipb·org
For information on the Professional Bookkeeper designation, contact:
- Universal Accounting Center, 5250 South Commerce Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84107.