Education

How to Become an Accounting Clerk

If you’re a detail-oriented person with a head for math, a career in accounting might be right for you. Employees with skills in accounting are in demand for a variety of industries. The job outlook is expecting an increase of 4% by 2029.

Are you wondering what it takes to kickstart a career as an accounting clerk? In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know. So read on!

What Is an Accounting Clerk?

An accounting clerk’s job is to support a company with its financial operations. They create financial reports, perform daily accounting, process transactions, and update financial records.

Accounting clerks may also be responsible for communicating with other departments about financials. They’ll also assist with any accounting-related tasks within the company.

Needed Skills

There are many skills needed to become a successful accounting clerk. General financial knowledge and math skills will give you a solid foundation for starting a career in this field. To have success in this field, you’ll also need the following skills:

  • Attention to detail
  • Integrity
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Data entry

Many of these skills will sharpen with time in the field, but having an essential skill-set will help you get started.

Education Requirements

To become an accounting clerk or professional bookkeeper, you need a minimum of an associate’s degree. Many employers will require education at the bachelor’s level due to the importance of the role within a company.

If you want to expand your knowledge in accounting, there are stand-alone accounting courses and certification programs to help. These programs provide you with an introduction to the field and supplement your education.

Find the Right Program

The right program will depend on your end goal. Many hiring managers prefer a college degree to work as an accounting clerk. Consider an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited accounting school.

If you’re on a budget but want to learn accounting skills, consider certification from a specialized accounting program. These programs have lower price points than the college level and offer a variety of payment structures for those in need of financial assistance.

How Long Will It Take?

An associate’s degree in accounting will take two years, while a bachelor’s degree will take four years. If you’ve already completed some schooling, it may take less time if you have credit hours available to transfer.

If you take part in a certificate program instead, it may take anywhere from three months to two years. Length varies based on the program type and structure of the classes. Some of these programs offer self-paced learning, while others are in a more traditional scheduled class setting.

Take the First Step and Get Started

Becoming an accountant takes some research and planning to find the right path for your goals. With a little bit of leg work, you’ll be well on your way to a bright career as an accounting clerk.

Are you looking for more helpful guides? Check out some of our other articles!

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