Occupation Details
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
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.
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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.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$36,110.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$49,630.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$61,130.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
102,000
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
114,150
+1,215 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
13,067
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
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.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 10-key calculators
- Desktop computers
- Financial calculators
- Image scanners
- Ledger sheets
- Notebook computers
Technology
- ACS Technologies ACS Financial Suite
- ADP Pay eXpert
- ADP Workforce Now
- AMS Services AMS Sagitta
- Accurate NXG
- AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management
- Act!
- AdaptaSoft CyberPay
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Advanced Management Systems Software for Wineries
- Asset management software
- Auditing software
- Blackbaud The Financial Edge
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Business performance management BPM software
- CYMA IV Accounting for Windows
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- operate bookkeeping machines
- operate business machines
- operate calculating devices
- disburse checks to satisfy accounts payable
- maintain record of organization expenses
- maintain travel expense accounts
- receive or disburse cash related to payments received
- examine documents for completeness, accuracy, or conformance to standards
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- fill out business or government forms
- prepare billing statements
- complete patient bills
- fill out purchase requisitions
- maintain inventory of office forms
- prepare financial reports
- process payroll documents, records, or checks
- prepare tax reports
- process invoices
- perform clerical duties including typing, accepting orders, or sorting mail
- sort books, publications, or other items
- compute taxes
- compute financial data
- maintain balance sheets
- prepare bank deposits
- compile data for financial reports
- process account invoices
- reconcile or balance financial records
- detect discrepancies on records or reports
- take messages
- enter time sheet information
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- use accounting or bookkeeping software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Perform personal bookkeeping services.
- Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- Prepare and process payroll information.
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Compute deductions for income and social security taxes.
- Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
- Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
- Calculate and prepare checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
- Monitor status of loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.
- Reconcile records of bank transactions.
- Compile budget data and documents, based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets.
- Code documents according to company procedures.
- Perform financial calculations, such as amounts due, interest charges, balances, discounts, equity, and principal.
- Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
- Perform general office duties, such as filing, answering telephones, and handling routine correspondence.
- Compare computer printouts to manually maintained journals to determine if they match.
- Transfer details from separate journals to general ledgers or data processing sheets.
- Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
- Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.
- Complete and submit tax forms and returns, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms, and other government documents.
- Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, and other financial statements according to established procedures.
- Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
- 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.
- Prepare purchase orders and expense reports.
- Prepare trial balances of books.
- 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.
- Maintain inventory records.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreCareer Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP)
COAP, a summer program for high school juniors, is held at several college campuses across New York State. The program is an important component of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants efforts to recruit young people into the CPA profession.
Learn MoreCertified Public Accountants Career Opportunities Handbook
Provides CPA job seekers with a guide to small and medium sized firms from around the New York State area. Firms which accept applications from entry level accountants and those which feature internships are highlighted.
Learn MoreFinance and Accounting Specialists
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