Career & application guide

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks do?

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.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Account Clerk
  • Accounting Assistant
  • Accounting Associate
  • Accounting Clerk
  • Accounting Specialist
  • Accounting Technician
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Specialist

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • 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.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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