How Do I Become an Accounting Clerk?

An accounting clerk usually works in a specialized accounting position for a company and manages a specific type of account for the accounting department. General bookkeeping tasks may be required in some entry-level positions, while more advanced accounting clerks may need to verify data to ensure accuracy. For both entry-level and specialized accounting clerk positions, you’ll need the appropriate training and a college education. If you want to work as an accounting clerk, you’ll need to pay attention to detail and be comfortable working with large amounts of data.

You’ll benefit from earning at least an associate’s degree in business or accounting, even if some employers don’t require it. You’ll not only learn basic bookkeeping skills, but you’ll also graduate with a degree that will help you advance from an entry-level accounting clerk position. Some employers require an associate’s degree as the minimum educational requirement for these positions if you plan to work with specialized types of accounts, such as accounts payable and accounts receivable. You’ll learn how to use popular accounting software at home and in businesses, in addition to accounting skills. This is also required if you want to work as an accounting clerk in most companies.

Most companies train you on the job, especially if they use specialized software, so the learning process does not end in the classroom. If you want to work as an accounting clerk, you may need to spend some time doing basic accounting tasks before you can get the job. Although the number of years of experience required for such jobs varies, specialized accounting clerk positions may require more experience. After some experience in the field, you may want to pursue an industry certification or additional training to help you advance to more specialized positions.

Although accounting skills are necessary, you should also have other skills to work as an accounting clerk. Accounting jobs necessitate a lot of multitasking, so you’ll need to be able to manage a lot of paperwork and calculations. Another important requirement is that you can calculate accurately and pay close attention to detail, especially if your job entails reviewing other people’s reports and looking for errors that could harm the company legally or financially. Finally, critical thinking skills are essential if you are responsible for preparing and analyzing financial reports for the company.