Bookkeeper

Alternative Job Titles for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

• Account Clerk
• Accounting Assistant
• Accounting Associate
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounting Specialist
• Accounting Technician
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Payable Specialist
• Accounts Payables Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Clerk

Job Tasks and Activities for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

• Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
• Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
• Calculate and prepare checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
• Calculate costs of goods or services.
• Calculate costs of materials, overhead, and other expenses, based on estimates, quotations and price lists.
• Calculate financial data.
• Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, and other financial statements according to established procedures.
• Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
• Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.
• Code data or other information.
• Code documents according to company procedures.
• Collect deposits, payments or fees.
• Compare computer printouts to manually maintained journals to determine if they match.
• Compile budget data and documents, based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets.
• Compile data or documentation.
• 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.
• Complete and submit tax forms and returns, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms, and other government documents.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
• Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
• Execute sales or other financial transactions.
• File documents or records.
• Maintain financial or account records.
• Maintain inventory records.
• Match order forms with invoices, and record the necessary information.
• Monitor financial information.
• Monitor organizational compliance with regulations.
• Monitor status of loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.
• Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
• Operate computers or computerized equipment.
• Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
• Operate office equipment.
• 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 and process payroll information.
• Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
• Prepare cash for deposit or disbursement.
• Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
• Prepare purchase orders and expense reports.
• Prepare trial balances of books.
• Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
• Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
• Reconcile records of bank transactions.
• Reconcile records of sales or other financial transactions.
• Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
• Transfer details from separate journals to general ledgers or data processing sheets.
• Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.

Interests for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

• Conventional
  Following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting.
• Enterprising
  Managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations.

Skills for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

In order of importance

• Mathematics
  Using math to solve problems.
  Importance: 60/100
• Reading Comprehension
  Reading work-related information.
  Importance: 56/100
• Critical Thinking
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  Importance: 56/100
• Active Listening
  Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  Importance: 56/100
• Writing
  Writing things for co-workers or customers.
  Importance: 53/100
• Speaking
  Talking to others.
  Importance: 53/100
• Time Management
  Managing your time and the time of other people.
  Importance: 50/100
• Monitoring
  Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  Importance: 50/100
• Coordination
  Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  Importance: 47/100
• Complex Problem Solving
  Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  Importance: 47/100
• Service Orientation
  Looking for ways to help people.
  Importance: 47/100
• Active Learning
  Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
  Importance: 44/100
• Judgment and Decision Making
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  Importance: 44/100
• Social Perceptiveness
  Understanding people's reactions.
  Importance: 44/100
• Persuasion
  Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
  Importance: 31/100
• Negotiation
  Bringing people together to solve differences.
  Importance: 31/100
• Systems Evaluation
  Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  Importance: 28/100
• Systems Analysis
  Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  Importance: 28/100
• Management of Personnel Resources
  Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
  Importance: 28/100
• Instructing
  Teaching people how to do something.
  Importance: 28/100
• Management of Financial Resources
  Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
  Importance: 25/100
• Learning Strategies
  Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
  Importance: 25/100
• Management of Material Resources
  Managing equipment and materials.
  Importance: 19/100
• Operations Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
  Importance: 16/100
• Operations Analysis
  Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  Importance: 10/100
• Programming
  Writing computer programs.
  Importance: 10/100
• Operation and Control
  Using equipment or systems.
  Importance: 3/100
• Science
  Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
  Importance: 3/100
• Technology Design
  Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
  Importance: 3/100
• Quality Control Analysis
  Testing how well a product or service works.
  Importance: 3/100

Knowledge for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

In order of importance

• 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.
  Importance: 80/100
• 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.
  Importance: 72/100
• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Importance: 71/100
• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Importance: 59/100
• Economics and Accounting
  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  Importance: 59/100
• Computers and Electronics
  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Importance: 54/100
• Administration and Management
  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  Importance: 47/100
• Education and Training
  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  Importance: 42/100
• Personnel and Human Resources
  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  Importance: 29/100
• Law and Government
  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  Importance: 26/100
• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Importance: 25/100
• Sales and Marketing
  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  Importance: 21/100
• Psychology
  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  Importance: 20/100
• Communications and Media
  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  Importance: 19/100
• Public Safety and Security
  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  Importance: 18/100
• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Importance: 17/100
• Geography
  Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  Importance: 14/100
• Mechanical
  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Importance: 12/100
• Sociology and Anthropology
  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
  Importance: 10/100
• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Importance: 7/100
• Therapy and Counseling
  Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  Importance: 6/100
• Food Production
  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  Importance: 5/100
• Medicine and Dentistry
  Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  Importance: 5/100
• Philosophy and Theology
  Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  Importance: 4/100
• Foreign Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  Importance: 4/100
• Design
  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Importance: 3/100
• Physics
  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  Importance: 3/100
• Building and Construction
  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  Importance: 3/100
• Engineering and Technology
  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Importance: 3/100
• Chemistry
  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  Importance: 3/100

Physical Abilities for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

In order of importance

• Oral Comprehension
  Listening and understanding what people say.
  Importance: 75/100
• Near Vision
  Seeing details up close.
  Importance: 72/100
• Written Comprehension
  Reading and understanding what is written.
  Importance: 72/100
• Mathematical Reasoning
  Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
  Importance: 72/100
• Written Expression
  Communicating by writing.
  Importance: 66/100
• Oral Expression
  Communicating by speaking.
  Importance: 63/100
• Problem Sensitivity
  Noticing when problems happen.
  Importance: 63/100
• Number Facility
  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
  Importance: 63/100
• Speech Recognition
  Recognizing spoken words.
  Importance: 53/100
• Inductive Reasoning
  Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
  Importance: 53/100
• Category Flexibility
  Grouping things in different ways.
  Importance: 53/100
• Information Ordering
  Ordering or arranging things.
  Importance: 53/100
• Deductive Reasoning
  Using rules to solve problems.
  Importance: 50/100
• Selective Attention
  Paying attention to something without being distracted.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speech Clarity
  Speaking clearly.
  Importance: 50/100
• Perceptual Speed
  Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
  Importance: 47/100
• Flexibility of Closure
  Seeing hidden patterns.
  Importance: 44/100
• Far Vision
  Seeing details that are far away.
  Importance: 41/100
• Finger Dexterity
  Putting together small parts with your fingers.
  Importance: 38/100
• Memorization
  Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
  Importance: 35/100
• Speed of Closure
  Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
  Importance: 31/100
• Fluency of Ideas
  Coming up with lots of ideas.
  Importance: 28/100
• Manual Dexterity
  Holding or moving items with your hands.
  Importance: 25/100
• Time Sharing
  Doing two or more things at the same time.
  Importance: 25/100
• Visualization
  Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
  Importance: 25/100
• Control Precision
  Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
  Importance: 25/100
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  Keeping your arm or hand steady.
  Importance: 25/100
• Originality
  Creating new and original ideas.
  Importance: 22/100
• Auditory Attention
  Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
  Importance: 22/100
• Visual Color Discrimination
  Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
  Importance: 19/100
• Trunk Strength
  Using your lower back and stomach.
  Importance: 19/100
• Hearing Sensitivity
  Telling the difference between sounds.
  Importance: 19/100
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
  Importance: 16/100
• Dynamic Strength
  Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
  Importance: 10/100

Tools and Technology used by Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

• Desktop calculator
• Desktop computers
• Ledger paper
• Notebook computers
• Receipts or receipt books
• Scanners
• Scientific calculator
• Accounting software
  • ACS Technologies ACS Financial Suite
  • ATX Total Accounting Office
  • ATX Total Engagement Office
  • Accounting software
  • Accounts payable software
  • Accounts receivable software
  • Accurate NXG
  • Activant Solutions Activant Prophet 21
  • AdaptaSoft CyberPay
  • American HealthTech Financial
  • Asset management software
  • Automation Counselors municiPAL
  • BLS Software Invoice!
  • Best MIP Fund Accounting
  • Blackbaud The Financial Edge
  • CCIS AccountAbility
  • CYMA IV Accounting for Windows
  • ComputerEase construction accounting software
  • Cost accounting software
  • Fifth Walk BillingTracker
  • Financial reporting software
  • Financial statement software
  • FlexiFinancials FlexiLedger
  • Fund accounting software
  • General ledger software
  • Heron CrossTie General Ledger
  • Infor Global Solutions Starbuilder
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • New Millennium Communications Genesis Accounting
  • PROPHIX Enterprise
  • Quicken
  • Roundtable Software Advantage Accounting System
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Softrax Revenue Management
  • Tax software
  • UA Business Software Professional Edition
• Business intelligence and data analysis software
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive
  • Microsoft SharePoint
• Compliance software
  • Corporate Responsibility System Technologies Limited CRSTL Compliance Positioning System
  • Financial compliance software
  • Intrax ProcedureNet
  • Paisley Cardmap
  • Paisley Focus Control Assurance
  • Paisley RiskNavigator
  • Sage EDP Payroll Tax
• Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Act!
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
• Data base reporting software
  • SAP Crystal Reports
• Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software
  • Database software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access
  • Oracle Database
  • Sage 100 Contractor
  • Yardi software
• Desktop communications software
  • Skype
• Desktop publishing software
  • Microsoft Publisher
• Document management software
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Document management system software
  • Iron Mountain Accutrac records management software
  • OmniRIM Records Management Suite
  • Records management software
• Electronic mail software
  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise application integration software
  • SAP BusinessObjects Data Integrator
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • AMS Services AMS Sagitta
  • AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management
  • Advanced Management Systems Software for Wineries
  • Business performance management BPM software
  • Cartesis ES Magnitude
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • NetSuite ERP
  • Oracle Fusion Applications
  • Oracle Hyperion
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
  • SAP Business Objects
  • SAP software
  • Sage 100 ERP
• Financial analysis software
  • AuditWare financial reporting and auditing software
  • Auditing software
  • Delphi Technology
  • MethodWare ProAudit Advisor
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Paisley AutoAudit
  • Paisley IssueTrack
  • Pentana audit work system PAWS
  • RSM McGladrey Advanced Practice Solutions Paperless Audit
  • RSM McGladrey Auditor Assistant
• Human resources software
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • Human resource management software HRMS
• Information retrieval or search software
  • LexisNexis
• Internet browser software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Medical software
  • Epic Systems
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • MEDITECH software
  • Medical condition coding software
  • Medical procedure coding software
• Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows
• Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software
  • HCSS HeavyBid
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Spreadsheet software
• Time accounting software
  • ADP Pay eXpert
  • HMS
  • Payroll software
• Transaction server software
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Tumbleweed SecureTransport
• Video conferencing software
  • FaceTime
• Word processing software
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word
  • Word processing software

Employment Industries for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

• Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services
  102,100 employed
• Management of companies and enterprises
  69,300 employed
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals
  66,500 employed
• Real estate
  54,100 employed
• Credit intermediation and related activities (5221,3)
  33,700 employed
• Merchant wholesalers, durable goods (4232,3,5,6,7,9)
  33,000 employed