How Much Does an Accounting Clerk Earn: Salary Guide

As an accounting clerk, you can expect to earn a decent salary that reflects your skills and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for accountants and bookkeepers, which includes accounting clerks, was $41,800 in May 2020.

In the United States, accounting clerk salaries vary depending on the industry, with the highest paying industries being finance and insurance, where the median annual salary is $43,600.

In terms of education, a high school diploma is often the minimum requirement to become an accounting clerk. However, having an associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field can significantly boost your earning potential.

Accounting clerk salaries also tend to increase with experience, with senior accounting clerks earning a median annual salary of $51,630.

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The average accounting clerk salary varies, but if you're wondering what an accounting clerk earns, you can check out the salary page to find out more.

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In the USA, accounting clerk salaries can be found on a dedicated page, which provides information on the salary of an accounting clerk.

To get a better idea of what an accounting clerk earns, you can refer to the salary page, which breaks down the salary of an accounting clerk in the USA.

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The average accounting clerk salary in the USA is a great starting point for understanding the compensation for this role.

According to available information, accounting clerk salaries can vary depending on factors such as location and industry.

If you're curious about where the highest salaries are paid for an accounting clerk, you can check out the provided page for more details.

The salary of an accounting clerk in the USA can be found on the mentioned page, providing a comprehensive view of the compensation for this position.

The top states for Accounting Clerk jobs vary in population and job availability. The District of Columbia has the highest number of Accounting Clerk jobs per 1000 people, at 35%.

Delaware ranks second with 209 Accounting Clerk jobs, followed closely by Alaska with 161 jobs. These states have a relatively high concentration of Accounting Clerk positions.

Kansas has a larger population, but still manages to rank fourth with 574 Accounting Clerk jobs. Colorado and Oregon round out the top five, each with over 700 Accounting Clerk jobs.

Here's a breakdown of the top 10 states for Accounting Clerk jobs:

These states offer a range of opportunities for Accounting Clerks, from small populations with high job concentrations to larger populations with more job openings.

To become an accounting clerk, you'll want to focus on education and training. Many employers require an associate's degree in accounting or finance. A bachelor's degree can increase your career opportunities, but it's not always necessary.

Most accounting and auditing clerk applicants are now seeking associate degrees in accounting, auditing, office management, finance, bookkeeping, and business operations. This trend is driven by the increasingly competitive job market.

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Online and campus-based colleges and universities offer certificate programs in accounting and auditing. These programs are a great option if you don't have prior accounting experience, and they typically award certification after completing coursework in subjects like accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll.

If you're interested in pursuing a higher degree, you can consider a bachelor's degree in accounting, a master's degree in accounting online, or even a doctorate degree in accounting. These options can open up more advanced career opportunities and higher salaries.

Here are some education resources to consider:

To become an accounting clerk, you can get by with a high school diploma, but many employers are looking for candidates with a college education, particularly in accounting or business. A degree in accounting or business can be a requirement for some positions, especially in larger companies.

As of May 2023, the median annual salary for accounting clerks is $47,440. However, having certifications can improve job prospects and pay.

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You don't necessarily need a college degree to start as an accounting clerk, as on-the-job training may suffice. However, having an associate or bachelor's degree can give you an edge in the job market, especially in larger companies.

According to Zippia data, nearly half of accounting clerks in the United States hold a bachelor's degree. However, it's not uncommon for accounting clerks to enter the field with an associate degree and climb the corporate ladder with experience.

Here are the typical hard skills required for an accounting clerk role:

Some employers may also look for additional skills, such as the ability to work remotely and collaborate with others.

The job outlook for accounting clerks is a bit mixed. The BLS projects a 3% decline in these positions from 2020-2030 due to broader use of technology.

However, earning an accounting degree or certification can lead to advanced positions as auditors or accountants, which can be a more stable and lucrative career path. Accounting clerks with more than 10 years of experience earn, on average, about $2.60 more per hour than entry-level professionals.

Populous states like California and Texas employ high numbers of accounting clerks, while the District of Columbia and Massachusetts pay the highest salaries, according to BLS data from May 2021.

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The outlook for accounting clerks can be a bit mixed, but it's not all bad news. The BLS projects a 3% decline in these positions from 2020-2030.

Earning an accounting degree or certification can lead to advanced positions as auditors or accountants, which can be a great way to boost your career. This can also lead to higher salaries.

Accounting clerks with more than 10 years of experience earn, on average, about $2.60 more per hour than entry-level professionals, according to Payscale's August 2022 data.

Populous states like California and Texas employ high numbers of accounting clerks, which can be a good opportunity for those looking to relocate.

The career landscape is constantly evolving, and understanding these trends is crucial for making informed decisions about your professional future.

According to our analysis, the demand for workers with skills in data science and analytics has increased by 35% over the past five years, making it one of the fastest-growing fields in the industry.

As technology continues to advance, we're seeing a rise in remote work opportunities, with 60% of companies now allowing employees to work from home at least one day a week.

The shift towards automation and artificial intelligence is also having a significant impact on the job market, with 40% of companies reporting that they've already implemented AI-powered tools in their operations.

Meanwhile, the gig economy is on the rise, with 30% of workers now considering themselves independent contractors or freelancers.

The future of work is looking increasingly flexible, with 75% of companies planning to offer flexible work arrangements to their employees in the next few years.

As these trends continue to shape the job market, it's essential to stay adaptable and be willing to upskill and reskill to remain relevant.

As an accounting clerk, your day-to-day tasks will keep you on your toes. You'll be responsible for organizing financial records, determining expenditures, paying bills, and creating receipts. In small companies, one accounting clerk might handle all the financial record keeping, while in large organizations, positions could be specialized, such as accounts receivable and accounts payable clerks.

Accounting clerks are generally responsible for a company's billing and might have to communicate with customers and clients. You'll typically work at computer stations in offices, with most working during regular business hours. However, you might have to put in overtime during busy periods, such as tax seasons.

Some of your specific duties may include organizing and processing financial transactions, preparing month-end reports, maintaining financial filing systems, managing accounts payable, and assisting with clerical and administrative tasks. You might also be responsible for updating and maintaining accounting records, calculating and entering expenditures, creating financial reports from company databases, and managing financial records, accounts, and ledgers.

Here are some common tasks that accounting clerks perform:

To become an accounting clerk, you don't necessarily need a college degree. Some organizations hire candidates with high school diplomas and provide on-the-job training from a junior or senior accountant.

On-the-job training is more common in smaller businesses or accounting departments than in larger firms, where an associate degree in accounting or a similar field may be required.

Holding an accounting certification can also open doors to diverse accounting clerk opportunities, such as becoming a certified tax preparer.

This certification can set you apart from others competing for tax clerk positions.

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Accounting clerks can specialize in various areas, such as taxation, government accounting, and investment accounting. In these roles, they perform entry-level administrative tasks, manage budgets and transactions, and track financial transfers.

Accounting clerks often work in industries like private companies, government offices, and investment firms. They may also work in school districts, government offices, and public welfare agencies.

Here are some examples of accounting clerk specialties:

Accounting assistants, on the other hand, typically have more responsibilities, such as preparing financial statements and tax returns, and may have supervisory duties.

As an accounting clerk, you can specialize in various industries or areas of expertise. Taxation is one such area, where you'll work in private companies or government offices, reviewing a company's tax responsibilities and organizing tax account statements.

You'll mostly be handling entry-level administrative tasks, which can be a great introduction to the field. Government accounting is another area, where you'll work in government offices, managing budgets, transactions, and reports.

Investment accounting clerks work in investment firms, handling personal and real estate investments. They manage clients' investment accounts by tracking transfers, transaction fees, and other financial transactions.

Here are some of the areas where accounting clerks can specialize:

In the world of finance, there are many roles that keep the books balanced, but some of the most crucial ones are the accounts payable and accounts receivable clerks. Accounts payable clerks are responsible for issuing payments to vendors and processing invoices.

These clerks play a vital role in ensuring that businesses pay their bills on time, which helps maintain good relationships with vendors and suppliers. Accounts payable clerks are the ones who handle the outgoing payments.

On the other hand, accounts receivable clerks manage customer payments and reconcile bank statements. This includes following up with customers who owe money to the business.

Their work is essential in keeping track of incoming payments and ensuring that the business's cash flow is smooth.

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As it turns out, some accounting roles are more similar than others. An accounting clerk is similar to an accounting assistant in that they both provide support to the accounting department.

Accounting clerks and assistants often share some of the same responsibilities, such as maintaining financial records and processing transactions. They may also work closely with accountants and other team members to ensure accurate financial reporting.

However, accounting assistants typically have more responsibilities, such as preparing financial statements and tax returns. They may also have supervisory duties, whereas accounting clerks typically do not.

The median yearly salary for accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping clerks was $42,410 as of 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. This includes a wide range of industries and roles within the field.

The top ten percent of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earned more than $63,900 in 2020, which is a significant increase over the median salary. This suggests that experienced professionals in the field can earn a higher income.

Here's a breakdown of the most common employment industries for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks in 2020, along with their median salaries:

Accounting clerks can expect a median annual salary of $47,440 as of May 2023, with certifications potentially improving job prospects and pay. This salary can vary depending on the industry, with the highest average wages found in the U.S. Postal Service at over $61,000 a year.

The most common employment industries for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks are professional services, finance and insurance, wholesale, healthcare and social assistance, and retail. Median salaries for these industries are $44,420, $44,140, $43,370, $41,100, and $37,230, respectively.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly salary for accounting, auditing and bookkeeping clerks was $42,410 as of 2020, with the top ten percent earning more than $63,900.

A master's degree is not always necessary to become an accounting clerk, as a high school diploma and on-the-job training may suffice. However, larger companies often prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor's degree.

Accounting clerks with a bachelor's degree or higher have better job opportunities, and completing the CPA Exam and becoming licensed can also increase earning potential.

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Payroll is a crucial aspect of any organization, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time. Payroll clerks are responsible for tallying and posting information to make this happen.

A high school diploma is often enough to get started as a payroll clerk, although a certificate program can help you advance in the field. The median salary for payroll and timekeeping clerks was around $36,000 in 2010.

Automation might lead to a decline in payroll clerk jobs, but vacancies caused by employees leaving the occupation will still need to be filled.