Accounting Clerk Job Description

What is an Accounting Clerk?

An accounting clerk is a member of a company’s accounting department, responsible for assisting with both clerical and administrative tasks. In general, an accounting clerk takes care of basic office tasks that involve reporting, bookkeeping, research, as well as the resolution of discrepancies related to any of the tasks he or she performs.

Accounting Clerk Job Requirements

There are a variety of tasks that an accounting clerk is responsible for tackling on a daily basis, as well as cumulative tasks that are fully resolved on a more long-term basis. Among the many tasks that an accounting clerk may perform, some of the most common include:

• Collect and sort invoices and checks
• Mail checks to both other businesses and employees
• Keep a thorough record of business transactions and enter data from daily work logs into the company’s general ledger system
• Supporting supervisory and executive staff by performing any assigned accounting and clerical tasks
• Keep a thorough record of all company charges, as well as any refunds that have been issued
• Keep track of any consumer issues that require a refund and make sure that the refunds are issued in a timely manner
• Assist senior accounting personnel with any tasks conducted within the accounting department, or any tasks that require accounting personnel to take part
• Key in or type up any documents or items that the accounting department is responsible for, including checks and invoices, as well as vouchers, accounting statements, and other reports and records
• Match work orders to invoices
• Process invoices/bills so that they can be paid
• Contact consumers to notify them of delinquent accounts and accept any payments made at the time of contact
• Arrange for money stores within the business to be delivered to the bank on a daily or weekly basis, or in whatever increments the business wants to turn over cash to savings

Requirements for an Accounting Clerk Position

Every business is unique; different companies may require different skills for an individual in order to take a position as an accounting clerk with them. While this is true, there are a number of general requirements that most companies expect or demand. These requirements include:

• A high school diploma; however, most companies require further education and working experience in the field
• A complete or comprehensive understanding of accounting practices and procedures
• The ability to act responsibly and ethically when working with sensitive financial information, whether it’s information for the company or for individuals
• Solid communication skills, with proficiency in speaking and writing
• Computer literacy, as accounting clerks are responsible for keying information into various computers and software programs
• Strong people skills – a polite and professional demeanor when working with other companies, as well as consumers and coworkers
• The willingness and ability to comply with local, state, and federal financial regulations, as well as the regulations established by the company itself

Accounting clerks fill an important and necessary role in any company. They must be attentive to detail, thorough, possess a strong work ethic, and be professional and courteous when working with others.

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