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Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

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.

Watch this work See majors and colleges
Other titles employers use

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

Inside the work

What you would actually do.

6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.

  • 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.

Who it suits

Would this work hold your attention?

This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing work.

Organizing
Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate

Skills and strengths

What you would get good at.

Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.

Core skills

  • Mathematics
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Speaking

Subjects to know

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Economics and Accounting

Useful strengths

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Comprehension
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Near Vision
  • Written Expression

Working day

Picture yourself doing it.

These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.

How this job scores on four measures of working conditions, out of five
MeasureOut of 5What that means here
Close to other people2.8 Largely your own space
On your feet2.1 Mostly seated
Talking face to face4.5 Continuous — the job is conversations
Working with your hands3.0 Little of the day

Preparation

How people prepare for this work.

Employers usually ask for some college. Other routes may also lead into the field.

  • High school or less 47%
  • A certificate or some college 26%
  • A four-year degree 12%
  • A two-year degree 9%
  • A master's degree 6%

Tools of the work

Technology you may use.

  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Accounting software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Document management software
  • Medical software
  • Word processing software
  • Project management software
  • Electronic mail software

Opportunity near you

See where this work is growing.

Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.

Selected stateCalifornia
People doing this work
170,800
Job openings each year
19,570
Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
−2.7%
Compare every available state
State People doing it Job openings each year Expected change
California 170,800 19,570 −2.7%
Texas 151,250 17,880 6.1%
Florida 120,630 14,120 3.1%
New York 106,260 630 6.3%
Illinois 63,130 7,140 −6.1%
Pennsylvania 61,710 6,980 −6.1%
Ohio 56,620 6,380 −6.8%
North Carolina 55,390 6,410 —
New Jersey 48,670 5,520 −5.5%
Tennessee 48,470 5,760 7.8%
Georgia 42,610 4,960 1.3%
Washington 42,280 5,300 7.0%
Virginia 38,440 4,360 −5.3%
Wisconsin 38,190 4,390 −1.8%
Michigan 37,100 4,150 −8.3%
Colorado 34,510 4,030 2.1%
Indiana 31,480 3,570 −5.1%
Arizona 31,380 3,690 4.0%
Minnesota 29,420 3,350 −4.4%
Kentucky 27,700 3,140 −5.8%
Oregon 25,710 2,980 —
Maryland 23,920 2,740 −2.6%
Oklahoma 22,620 2,590 −3.5%
Iowa 22,260 2,550 −2.6%
Missouri 22,050 2,520 −3.5%
South Carolina 21,130 2,460 1.7%
Alabama 20,130 2,300 −3.5%
Louisiana 19,620 2,230 −5.0%
Kansas 19,060 2,160 −5.5%
Connecticut 18,440 2,130 −1.1%
Utah 17,370 2,090 12.7%
Nevada 12,670 1,480 2.3%
Nebraska 12,570 1,440 −2.8%
Arkansas 12,090 1,390 −1.2%
Massachusetts 11,930 1,350 −5.1%
Mississippi 11,600 1,330 −1.9%
South Dakota 11,590 1,350 —
Idaho 11,340 1,330 4.4%
Montana 9,460 1,110 3.5%
New Mexico 9,420 1,100 1.4%
Puerto Rico 9,130 1,060 1.4%
New Hampshire 8,500 970 −2.4%
West Virginia 8,120 930 −3.9%
Maine 8,090 900 −9.5%
Delaware 5,760 650 −5.4%
Rhode Island 4,960 570 −2.4%
Vermont 4,650 540 —
Alaska 4,450 520 5.2%
North Dakota 4,190 480 −1.2%
Wyoming 4,090 480 4.1%
District of Columbia 1,850 210 −3.6%
Guam 1,120 120 3.7%
Virgin Islands 390 40 −7.1%

Career to college

Build a path toward this work.

Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.

CareerBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Most direct field Accounting

Where to study

Colleges with strong activity in these fields.

Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.

UT

Western Governors University

Degrees each year
1,301
Admit rate
Not reported
Annual cost after aid
$13,000
Open college NH

Southern New Hampshire University

Degrees each year
797
Admit rate
96%
Annual cost after aid
$37,000
Open college NY

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Degrees each year
525
Admit rate
50%
Annual cost after aid
$6,000
Open college IL

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degrees each year
352
Admit rate
44%
Annual cost after aid
$8,000
Open college PA

Drexel University

Degrees each year
333
Admit rate
78%
Annual cost after aid
$35,000
Open college TX

Texas A & M University-College Station

Degrees each year
298
Admit rate
63%
Annual cost after aid
$17,000
Open college OH

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Degrees each year
297
Admit rate
51%
Annual cost after aid
$10,000
Open college CA

California State University-Northridge

Degrees each year
257
Admit rate
93%
Annual cost after aid
$8,000
Open college

Compare every college offering accounting and related services

Keep exploring

Careers with something in common.

Compare paths that use similar training and strengths.

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