Bookkeeping Schools

Schools by State
for Bookkeeping And Accounting Clerks:

AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY

Career Highlights for
Bookkeeping And Accounting Clerks

Training generally required for this career includes: Moderate-term on-the-job training.

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

• Account Administrator
• Account Clerk
• Account Information Clerk
• Account Receivable Clerk
• Accountant
• Accountant Assistant
• Accountant Clerk
• Accountant Helper
• Accounting Analyst
• Accounting Assistant
• Accounting Associate
• Accounting Bookkeeper
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounting Manager
• Accounting Representative
• Accounting Specialist
• Accounting Technician
• Accounts Payable Administrator
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Payable Coordinator
• Accounts Payable Manager
• Accounts Payable Representative
• Accounts Payable Specialist
• Accounts Payables Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Assistant
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Specialist
• Advice Clerk
• Amortization Clerk
• Audit Clerk
• Audit Control Clerk
• Auditor Sales
• Balance Clerk
• Bank Reconciliator
• Billing Checker
• Billing Clerk
• Bond Clerk
• Book Keeper
• Booking Clerk
• Bookkeeper
• Bookkeeper and Clerk
• Bookkeeper Assistant
• Bookkeeping Clerk
• Budget Clerk
• Budget Technician
• Canceling and Cutting Control Clerk
• Cash Accounting Clerk
• Cash Register Balancer
• Chart Calculator
• Chart Changer
• Chart Clerk
• Chart Computer
• Chart Picker
• Chart Reader
• Chart Snatcher
• Check Clerk
• Check Out Clerk
• Check Processing Clerk
• Chief Wheelage Clerk
• Classification Analyst
• Classification Control Clerk
• Classifier
• Clearing House Clerk
• Clerk Analyst
• Clerk and Bookkeeper
• Clipman
• Collateral and Safekeeping Clerk
• Collateral Clerk
• Collection Clerk
• Commodity Loan Clerk
• Computer Bookkeeper
• Cost Accountant
• Cost Accounting Clerk
• Credit Card Clerk
• Daily Sales Audit Clerk
• Discount Clerk
• Distribution Accounting Clerk
• Dividend Deposit Voucher Clerk
• Document Processor
• Electronic Funds Transfer Coordinator
• Escrow Agent
• Escrow Closer
• Export Clerk
• Export Documents Clerk
• Field Clerk
• Figure Clerk
• Financial Processing Clerk
• Financial Recording Clerk
• Fiscal Accounting Clerk
• Fiscal Technician
• Fixed Capital Clerk
• Food and Beverage Controller
• Foreclosure Clerk
• Foreign Exchange Position Clerk
• Full Charge Bookkeeper
• General Ledger Bookkeeper
• Hotel Auditor
• Hotel Night Auditor
• Import Export Clerk
• Income Auditor
• Journal Clerk
• Ledger Clerk
• Ledger Poster
• Letter of Credit Clerk
• Margin Clerk
• Mortgage Accounting Clerk
• Mortgage Loan Computation Clerk
• Night Auditor
• Office Manager
• Office Work and Bookkeeper
• Pari Mutuel Ticket Checker
• Patient Account Representative
• Patient Financial Service Representative
• Payment Processor
• Payroll Accounting Clerk
• Posting Clerk
• Price Checker
• Price Clerk
• Reconcilement Clerk
• Reconciliation Analyst
• Reconciliation Clerk
• Remittance Clerk
• Reserves Clerk
• Returned Item Clerk
• Revenue Audit Clerk
• Sales Audit Clerk
• Securities Clerk
• Staff Accountant
• Stock Transfer Clerk
• Tonnage Compilation Clerk
• Trust Vault Clerk
• Typing and Bookkeeper
• Typing Bookkeeper
• Voucher Clerk
• Voucher Examiner

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

Businesses of all sizes and industries rely on bookkeepers and accounting clerks to keep records of their finances. More than 2.1 million bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks track money coming in and going out on a day to day basis in the U.S.

Bookkeepers work for small businesses, and typically track most or all cost and income transactions using a general ledger. Their duties include:

• calculating expenditures
• logging receipts
• tracking profit and loss
• accounts payable (paying invoices)
• accounts receivable (receiving payments)
• managing payroll
• preparing reports for management
• procurement (making and authorizing purchases)
• balancing bank accounts with internal records
• keeping detailed histories and records for audit purposes

Accounting clerks work for accounting departments in larger businesses, and usually occupy a role in an area of specialty, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, procurement or payroll. Their duties may involve some of the tasks that bookkeepers do, as relevant to their role. Other accounting clerk functions may include:

• tracking details of transactions
• calculating interest charges
• reconciling received payments
• assigning codes to documents in accordance with company procedures
• monitoring accounts or loans to make sure they're up to date
• reimbursing receipts
• reviewing accounts for accuracy
• running and distributing reports for management

Bookkeepers and accounting clerks work in office environments, whether in a small building or corporate campus. The nature of their work allows them to work in any industry; however specific knowledge of an industry is considered an advantage by most employers. Some bookkeepers and accounting clerks are self employed and work freelance for businesses during tax season, busy retail seasons or at fiscal year end.

Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Degrees and Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Schools

Colleges, universities and vocational schools offer two-year associate's degree programs that qualify graduates for bookkeeping and accounting clerk jobs. Although bachelor's degrees are not usually required for entry-level positions, a career path in accounting that begins as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk will at some point require a minimum of a bachelor's degree for advancement. Graduates from educational programs that are accredited by organizations such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) are often preferred by employers. Four-year accounting degrees include B.S., B.B.A. and M.B.A. Many graduates take an additional 30 hours of coursework to become a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.).

Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees, or will pay for certification courses or tests.

Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Classes

Accounting tasks are for the most part managed with computer software, spreadsheets and databases, so competency in industry-standard technology is a core part of educational programs. Theory focuses on the larger role of accountant in an organization - the skills to analyze data, establish processes and procedures, create financial plans and report data accurately and clearly. Other coursework includes introductions to the various areas of accounting such as payroll and accounts receivable, budgeting and quality control / auditing.

Online Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Classes and Programs

Obtaining a degree or taking a certification course in accounting is well-suited for online education. Choosing accredited programs such as those certified by the AACSB can help narrow down choices from the many available programs. Keep in mind that although online programs may be convenient, they may not provide the job placement, financial aid and internship opportunities that brick-and-mortar schools offer. Employers frequently reimburse employees for courses relevant to their work.

Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk Requirements

A high school degree is a minimum requirement for most entry-level bookkeeping and accounting clerk jobs. Many employers, however, seek those who have some college or a two-year associate's degree in accounting or business from a vocational school or community college. Due to the detailed and structured accounting systems that are unique to each business, most companies provide extensive on-the-job training. They may also pay for classes to teach employees software skills specific to their job.

To promote their hireability, aspiring bookkeepers and accounting clerks may pursue a certification awarded by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. The Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation requires at least two years experience in bookkeeping and a passing score on a four-part exam. Prep courses are available through colleges and online.

How to Evaluate Bookkeeping and Accounting Schools

Prospective bookkeepers or accounting clerks should consider the following questions when evaluating programs:

• Accreditation - Is the program accredited by a governing body in accounting? If an online program, is it accredited by direct-learning organizations?
• School and class size - What is the ratio of students to faculty within relevant courses? What additional amenities may larger schools offer?
• Practical experience - Does the program offer internship or practical experience opportunities for valuable hands-on learning?
• Tuition and financial assistance - Scholarships, loans, work study and other forms of financial assistance can help defray the cost of tuition. How much effort does the school dedicate to assisting students as they navigate through these options?
• Additional costs - Are students expected to purchase expensive software programs and manuals as well as textbooks and fees? For what other costs beside tuition should prospective students plan?
• Career assistance- Does the school offer a comprehensive job placement program? How many graduates are successfully placed each year?

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