Accounting Clerk Job Description

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Today, many financial experts get their feet wet in the business world working as an accounting clerk, or accounts payable clerk, as the position is also often called. This member of the finance team serves a supporting role, assisting management with various financial and administrative duties. Responsibilities vary depending on a company’s needs, but an accounting clerk’s typical duties include filing financial records, reconciling bank statements with the general ledger, updating and maintaining accounting databases, and processing backups. This position is usually an entry-level role a candidate will take to build their finance skills and gain experience on their way to becoming an accountant or CPA.

Write a great job description for an accounting clerk using the template below and tailor it to fit your needs.

Sample accounting clerk job description

At [Company X], our financial success is fueled by the accuracy of our facts and figures. That’s why we’re proud to have some of the most skilled finance experts on our staff. We’d like to add a highly qualified accounting clerk to support the daily operations of the finance team. The ideal candidate has a natural passion for math and an eagerness to learn more about financial planning, tax strategy, and budgeting. Under the direction of the financial manager, the accounting clerk will update and maintain records, reconcile bank statements, and manage the accounting databases. This person will join like-minded experts who are continually focused on sharpening their skills and advancing in their profession.

Objectives of this role

Perform routine clerical accounting duties within a fast-paced finance department while adhering to established standards
Serve as a resource for the accounts payable and accounts receivable teams
Assist with year-end audit requests
Execute accurate reporting, filing, and database management in multiple systems
Secure financial information by conducting database backups and maintaining strict confidentiality
Continue training with classes, workshops, and networking events

Responsibilities

Verify and post details about business transactions, such as funds received and disbursed, and total accounts to ledgers and databases
Prepare consolidated internal and external financial statements by analyzing information from general ledger system
Review and balance internal accounts, analyze variances, prepare reports, and monitor depreciable assets using financial software
Match, batch, and code vendor invoices
Prepare and interpret financial summaries and provide reports to managers on a daily/weekly/monthly basis
Participate in month-end close activities, including preparation of journal entries, reconciliation of accounts, and sales tax computations

Required skills and qualifications

Natural proficiency with math
Knowledge of basic financial, tax, and accounting principles
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Proficiency with office productivity applications and aptitude for learning new systems

Preferred skills and qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in finance or accounting
One or two years of experience in clerical accounting
Experience with financial planning software

What does an accounting clerk do?

How to write an accounting clerk job description