What Is An Accounting Clerk? – Job Description

An accounting clerk supports financial departments by keeping financial records sharp, transactions smooth, and everything organized. They process invoices, reconcile bank statements, and tackle both accounts payable and receivable. With a knack for numbers and accounting software, they help ensure financial reports and statements are accurate, timely, and rock solid.

What Does an Accounting Clerk Do?

Ever wonder who keeps a company’s financial wheels turning behind the scenes? Meet the accounting clerk. They’re the steady hands behind daily transactions, document accuracy, and support for other financial professionals. You’ll often find them in accounting departments, government offices, and small firms, quietly making big things happen.

Picture Sarah, a clerk at a logistics firm. Each morning, she dives into ledgers, sorts through invoices, and balances yesterday’s numbers. Her precision helps the accounting team stay audit-ready and stress-free.

Common Duties of an Accounting Clerk

So, what do accounting clerks actually do every day? Here’s a glimpse:

• Post invoices, track payments, and record receipts
• Organize tax account statements and deposit bank checks
• Maintain digital and physical filing systems
• Perform essential accounting and clerical duties
• Manage office supplies and support admin needs

Sound routine? Maybe. But it’s these exact details that keep finances from falling apart. And when deadlines hit, you’ll be the one they count on.

What Skills Make a Great Accounting Clerk?

Let’s get real. A sharp accounting clerk isn’t just about crunching numbers. The best ones blend:

• Excellent organizational skills to tame messy records
• Computer skills to navigate accounting databases with ease
• Communication skills for smooth vendor and team interactions
• Accuracy that builds trust with every financial document

Think of yourself as part detective, part organizer, part problem-solver. You’ll be the go-to when numbers don’t quite add up.

Software and Systems Accounting Clerks Use

Accounting clerks don’t just use spreadsheets—they live in them. Expect to handle:

• Accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage
• General ledger systems for reconciling statements
• Bookkeeping and word processing tools for documentation
• Financial reporting tools for generating balance sheets and summaries

Here’s what most people miss: learning these systems well can fast-track your career. Get fluent, and you’re not just a clerk—you’re the tech-savvy core of your department.

Where Do Accounting Clerks Work?

Here’s the cool part, you’re needed almost everywhere. Investment firms. Government offices. Public welfare agencies. Even startups rely on accurate financial tracking.

You’ll likely sit within the accounting department, rubbing elbows with tax accountants, financial professionals, and other accounting clerks. It’s a team game, and your moves matter.

From Clerk to Career: Growing in the Field

Let’s say you’re in your first accounting clerk job. Where can you go from here? Quite far, actually. Many evolve into:

• Accounting assistants or auditing clerks
• Full-fledged bookkeepers
• Financial analysts and budget coordinators

Some go back to school for an associate or bachelor’s degree. Others climb the ladder by building rock-solid experience. Either way, this role is a legit career springboard.

How to Land an Accounting Clerk Job

Want the job? Here’s how to stand out:

• Highlight skills in filing documents and financial records
• Mention accounting clerk duties and relevant job description keywords
• Show confidence with answering phone calls and supporting office tasks
• Include experience with bookkeeping software and clerical responsibilities

Pro tip: Customize your resume for each application. Use language straight from the job posting. It’s simple but effective.

Handling Payables and Receivables

Two sides of the same coin, literally. Accounting clerks often specialize in:

• Accounts payable (sending money out)
• Accounts receivable (bringing money in)

You’ll manage vendor invoices, track customer payments, and update ledgers. Accounts payable clerks and receivable clerks may sound similar, but their focus differs. Precision in processing financial transactions? Mandatory.

The Importance of Financial Accuracy

Here’s what most people don’t realize: the tiniest financial error can snowball. Accounting clerks prevent that.

You’ll validate data against bank statements, update accounting databases, and prep financial reports for internal audits. And when the pressure’s on? Your accuracy makes you the unsung hero.

Keeping the Company Compliant

Tax season. Regulations. Audits. Sound stressful? It is, unless you’ve got a strong accounting clerk on the team.

Expect to:

• Organize tax account statements
• Track tax responsibilities using appropriate computer software
• Store other financial records safely and securely
• Help the company meet legal compliance standards

Being organized isn’t just helpful—it’s legally essential.

Staying Organized with Office Systems

Even in a digital age, physical documents haven’t disappeared. You’ll balance both worlds by:

• Filing documents in a structured system
• Managing office supplies and document storage
• Using word processing software for record updates
• Answering phone calls and directing client inquiries

It’s the blend of tech savvy and old-school order that makes clerks indispensable.

The Accounting Clerk’s Team Role

No one works alone, especially not accounting clerks. You’ll collaborate daily with:

• The accounting department
• Management teams needing updates
• Other financial professionals sharing data

Whether you’re sharing financial reports or coordinating across departments, communication skills and clarity are everything.

Typical Questions

Below are typical questions we get asked.