Career summary

Details for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks


Description

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.

Tasks

  • Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
  • Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
  • Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
  • Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.
  • Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, and other financial statements according to established procedures.
  • Compile statistical, financial, accounting, or auditing reports and tables pertaining to such matters as cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivable, and profits and losses.
  • Code documents according to company procedures.
  • Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
  • Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
  • Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
  • Perform financial calculations, such as amounts due, interest charges, balances, discounts, equity, and principal.
  • Perform general office duties, such as filing, answering telephones, and handling routine correspondence.
  • Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
  • Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
  • Calculate and prepare checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
  • Compare computer printouts to manually maintained journals to determine if they match.
  • Reconcile records of bank transactions.
  • Prepare trial balances of books.
  • Monitor status of loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.
  • Transfer details from separate journals to general ledgers or data processing sheets.
  • Compile budget data and documents, based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets.
  • Calculate costs of materials, overhead, and other expenses, based on estimates, quotations and price lists.
  • Match order forms with invoices, and record the necessary information.
  • Complete and submit tax forms and returns, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms, and other government documents.
  • Maintain inventory records.
  • Perform personal bookkeeping services.
  • Compute deductions for income and social security taxes.
  • Prepare purchase orders and expense reports.
  • Prepare and process payroll information.

Interests

  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Knowledge

  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Economics and Accounting -Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  • Mathematics -Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and Electronics -Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Customer and Personal Service -Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Clerical -Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

None found.

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