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Career overview · SOC 43-3031

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.

Also called: Account Clerk · Accounting Assistant · Accounting Associate · Accounting Clerk · Accounting Specialist · Accounting Technician

Median pay (national)
$49,210
$34,600–$72,660 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,455,770
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-5.8%
~170,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Some college, no degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $72,660 versus $34,600 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $49,210 leaves roughly 48% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 170,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $62,470, +27% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $26,870 — a 132% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Mathematics
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
  • Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
  • Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
  • Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Code documents according to company procedures.
  • 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.
  • Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
  • Match order forms with invoices, and record the necessary information.
  • Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.

Tools & technology

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • SAP software
  • Epic Systems
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • SAP Concur
  • Yardi software
  • Accounts payable software
  • Accounts receivable software
  • Accurate NXG
  • AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administration and Management
  • Education and Training