what is an accounting clerk?
As an accounting clerk, you calculate and process bills in a company. In addition to dealing with invoices and accounts payables, you manage accounts receivables and handle other financial records. It is important to be conversant with manual and computerized systems to maintain correct financial records. You handle the budget for office stationery and supplies. You also maintain the company's financial records and perform other clerical duties, such as the filing of financial documents. In most parts of Canada, your job is called an accounts clerk, but in Ontario, you require a professional designation to be an accountant. Hence, you are likely to be called a receivable clerk.
Aside from processing bills, you gather budget data and documents based on estimated expenses and revenue. You also calculate the cost of materials and overhead expenses spent on a project and prepare the relevant reports. You work closely with customers, answer questions, resolve problems related to their billing and solve any mistakes.
As an accounting clerk, you work in various industries, from retail companies to wholesale distribution centres. In large companies that handle huge payments, you perform basic clerical tasks and leave complex accounting tasks for the accountants. You require computer skills and technical knowledge to excel in your role.
Would working as an accounting clerk suit your aptitude for numbers? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an accounting clerk role.
accounting clerk jobsaverage accounting clerk salary
According to Job Bank, the median salary of an accounting clerk in Canada is $42,500 per year or $21.79 hourly. The earnings reflect the complexity of the duties and qualifications of the accounting clerk. You perform simple clerical tasks in entry-level positions, like filing documents and processing bills. Hence, your salary is $35,100 per year. As your experience improves, you earn more since you are expected to handle complex accounting tasks. Your salary is upward of $57,960 per year.
what factors affect the salary of an accounting clerk?
As an accounting clerk, your earnings vary with experience and qualifications. The longer you work in the role, the more skills you acquire, and you'll then become an expert in the field. Hence, you can negotiate a higher salary. While only a high school diploma is expected for an accounting clerk position, additional qualifications improve your job and salary prospects.
The location of the company and its size also affect your salary. When you work in Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Alberta, your earnings are higher than the national average. Working in large cities also increases your salary prospects due to the high demand for the role. When you work in a small company, they have limited resources and might be unable to pay high salaries.
types of accounting clerks
Accounting clerks often specialize in various industries or diverse areas of expertise in accounting. As an accounting clerk, you can specialize in the following areas:
- taxation: when you specialize in taxation, you work in private companies or government offices. You review the tax responsibilities of a company and organize tax account statements. Your duties are mostly entry-level administrative tasks.
- government accounting: an accounting clerk works in government offices and manages various types of budgets, transactions and reports. You work in school districts, government offices and public welfare agencies.
- investment accounting clerks: you work in investment firms to handle personal and real estate investments. You manage clients' investment accounts by tracking transfers, transaction fees and other financial transactions. You also sell real estate assets and perform clerical duties.
working as an accounting clerk
Accounting clerks perform critical services in the accounting department and assist clients. Learn about accounting clerk duties, job requirements and work schedules.
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what does an accounting clerk do?
Some of the duties of an accounting clerk include:
- organizing financial transactions: as an accounting clerk, your primary role is to process financial transactions in the company. You sort invoices or bills and process accounts receivables and accounts payables. Since you are responsible for processing all the transactions in the accounting department, your main tasks include keying data, sorting documents and processing cash transactions.
- preparing monthly reports: as an accounting clerk, you are in charge of financial reporting. You reconcile monthly transactions by recording the expenses and receivables in the company. When you prepare expense and revenue reports, you forward them to the accounting team. You also analyze the data before presenting it to other financial professionals in the company.
- maintaining a filing system: as an accounting clerk, you manage the company's filing system. If the company uses a manual filing system, you ensure the records are filed according to company policies. In a computerized system, you enter the data into the software application and streamline financial processes. You also ensure the computer system's data is backed up to avoid loss in case of downtimes.
- managing the accounts payables: as an accounting clerk, you track the company’s expenses, credit balances and loans that need to be paid monthly. You ensure the payments are made and track the status of each account. You also file invoices and ensure payments are made on time.
- completing clerical and administrative tasks: as an accounting clerk, you perform administrative and office-related duties, such as answering phone calls and ordering office supplies for the accounting department. You speak with clients, answer their questions and help them process their payments.
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work environment of an accounting clerk
Accounting clerks work in office settings. You work Monday to Friday during traditional office hours and can complete tasks independently or as a team. The work environment may vary depending on the industry you work in. For instance, accounting clerks work in government offices, schools, large corporations and non-profit organizations.
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who are your colleagues?
As an accounting clerk, you work in diverse industries and interact with various professionals. You work alongside customer service representatives, administrative assistants and accounting technicians in an office environment. In the accounting department, you work alongside financial accountants, bookkeepers and human resource managers. In a retail environment, you may interact with sales associates and warehouse associates.
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accounting clerk work schedule
The typical work schedule of an accounting clerk ranges from 35 to 40 hours. You work daily on weekdays if you are on a full-time contract. While your typical work hours range from 9 am to 5 pm, you may need to put in some occasional overtime. For example, you work additional hours to cover the workload during the tax season. Part-time positions are also available, where you work only a few hours per week. Although remote accounting clerk jobs are rare, some companies have work-from-home or hybrid programs for accounting clerks.
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career opportunities as an accounting clerk
Working as an accounting clerk is an entry-level position in the accounting department. Improve your qualifications to become an accountant or an assistant accountant. Alternatively, specialize in specific accounting areas. For instance, become a tax accountant, management accountant and financial accountant. You can also progress to a higher role, such as a senior accounting position.
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advantages of finding a job as an accounting clerk through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
accounting clerk skills and education
The educational requirements of accounting clerks include:
- education: complete secondary school education and find entry-level jobs as an accountant. Alternatively, pursue a college course in accounting to learn the necessary skills required for the role. The course should be certified by the Canadian Bookkeepers Association or the General Accountants Association of Canada. You can also check out courses certified by the Canadian Securities Institute.
- experience: most employers provide on-the-job training for accounting clerks to learn specific accounting systems. Internships and entry-level administrative roles also prepare you for the job.
competencies and characteristics of accounting clerks
Some of the qualities of an accounting clerk are:
- multitasking skills: as an accounting clerk, you perform multiple tasks. For instance, you handle clerical and administrative tasks. You require multitasking skills to perform multiple duties throughout the day. Organizational skills help you manage time effectively and complete all the tasks.
- communication skills: as an accounting clerk, you communicate daily with financial decision-makers, accounting professionals and clients. You interact with various stakeholders through email, phone and face-to-face communication. You need oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively.
- teamwork skills: as an accounting clerk, you are a valuable member of the accounting department who's relied on to keep the office running smoothly. You work in teams and thrive on collaboration with other financial professionals. Your teamwork skills help you appreciate the importance of every professional in the office.
- willingness to learn: as an accounting clerk, your responsibilities change as the company evolves. Your eagerness to learn helps you improve your skills and knowledge of accounting functions.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an accounting clerk.
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what is the role of an accounting clerk?
As an accounting clerk, you prepare and process accounting bills, invoices and accounts payables. You also review the account receivables and make financial records according to the established accounting procedures. You file financial records, reconcile bank statements and ensure the financial records are stored in the accounting systems.
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are accounting clerks in demand?
Accounting is an important part of all industries, from manufacturing to retail and construction companies. Hence, accounting clerks are always in demand. You choose your preferred industry since you can secure a position in any organization.
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how much do accounting clerks make in Canada?
As an accounting clerk, you receive a salary of $42,500 annually. When you are new in the role, you start with an entry-level salary of $35,100 yearly. As your experience improves, your earnings also increase gradually, and you earn a salary of over $57,960 with extensive experience.
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what are the qualifications for an accounting clerk job?
As an accounting clerk, you only need a secondary education. Obtaining certification in accounting or an associate's degree in business increases your qualifications. On the job, you will learn more skills and acquire extensive knowledge of accounting principles, increasing your chances of employment.
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is an accounting clerk different from an accountant?
As an accounting clerk, you don’t need more than a secondary education and accounting certification. You assist accounting departments with accounting and clerical duties. An accounting clerk performs complex duties like cost control and requires additional qualifications, including relevant certification.
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how do I find a job as an accounting clerk?
Finding a job near you as an accounting clerk is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the 'Apply' button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume, and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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