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What does an accounting administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an accounting administrator do

An accounting administrator is responsible for reviewing and analyzing account statements, managing deposits, and resolving bank discrepancies and financial disputes. Accounting administrators handle the efficient and accurate cash flow within an organization, including payroll release and filing of petty cash. They maintain an organized record of payments and billing statements for reference and audit purposes to generate reports for the management. An accounting administrator must have extensive knowledge of the accounting principles, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills to perform duties effectively, even under minimal supervision.

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Accounting administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real accounting administrator resumes:

  • Manage cash flow; online banking, initiates ACH transactions, deposits and transfer of funds.
  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • Monitor and resolve accounts overdue, return ACH and collection calls.
  • Import time into the ADP batch and process any expenses or miscellaneous reimbursements.
  • Work directly with the owners & CPA providing weekly/monthly financial reporting and year end tax preparation.
  • Record dividends and loan payments, also consult with CPA and business owners for tax preparation.
  • Maintain payroll database utilizing ADP.
  • Initiated/Implement accounting software conversion from DacEasy to QuickBooks.
  • Generate invoices for services using QuickBooks and collect outstanding accounts receivable.
  • Account for inventory at multiple locations; maintain accurate transactions and complete perpetual inventory reconciliations.
  • Conduct monthly bank reconciliations, including month-end general ledger settlements and accruals for all payroll relate accounts.
  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • Update weekly transactions and monthly bank reconciliations on Peachtree for multiple businesses to assist in preparation of accurate financial statements.

Accounting administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Accounting Administrators are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Reconciliations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.

We break down the percentage of Accounting Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 13%

    Managed customer service and order entry staff while concurrently collaborating with production and shipping staff to ensure manageable schedules and on-time delivery

  • Data Entry, 9%

    Performed routine data entry from reconciliation reports for collected appraisal fees into Excel/Access databases.

  • Reconciliations, 7%

    Conducted monthly bank reconciliations, including month-end general ledger settlements and accruals for all payroll related accounts.

  • Purchase Orders, 6%

    Organized and implemented procedures resulting in faster and easier process of purchase orders transactions.

  • Journal Entries, 5%

    Compiled and analyzes financial information to facilitate journal entries to accounts such as general ledger accounts, documenting business transaction.

  • Credit Card Payments, 4%

    Record invoice receipts, deposits of incoming cash and checks, wires, ACH, and credit card payments in QuickBooks.

Common skills that an accounting administrator uses to do their job include "customer service," "data entry," and "reconciliations." You can find details on the most important accounting administrator responsibilities below.

Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for an accounting administrator to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." Additionally, an accounting administrator resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "provided administrative functions and reconciled accounts receivable for used cars via auction and wholesale while using an integrated company computer system. "

Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform accounting administrator duties is detail oriented. Accounting administrators responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records." Accounting administrators also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "process accounts payable, detailed credit card and petty cash reconciliations and assist in month, quarter and year-end closings. "

Integrity. accounting administrators are also known for integrity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to accounting administrator responsibilities, because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." An accounting administrator resume example shows how integrity is used in the workplace: "processed trust accounting, summary reports and the irs 5500 forms utilizing the datair pension system. "

Math skills. accounting administrator responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." This resume example shows what accounting administrators do with math skills on a typical day: "calculated/reported payroll statistics for financial reports, management review, government documents. "

Most common accounting administrator skills

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Compare different accounting administrators

Accounting administrator vs. Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers are employees who are in charge of the company's general ledger. They are well-versed in basic accounting principles, and they apply these in their work. Bookkeepers manage the entry of items in the general ledger, assign items into their proper categories, and ensure that the entries are balanced. They also act as auditors by checking the accuracy and veracity of the receipts or vouchers in their possession before entering them into the system. Bookkeepers ensure that their files are up to date and free of errors.

If we compare the average accounting administrator annual salary with that of a bookkeeper, we find that bookkeepers typically earn a $7,731 lower salary than accounting administrators make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both accounting administrator and bookkeeper positions are skilled in customer service, data entry, and reconciliations.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, accounting administrator responsibilities require skills like "credit card payments," "office equipment," "quickbooks," and "customer payments." Meanwhile a typical bookkeeper has skills in areas such as "payroll tax returns," "hr," "credit card accounts," and "sales tax." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Bookkeepers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $42,063. Comparatively, accounting administrators tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $49,796.On average, bookkeepers reach similar levels of education than accounting administrators. Bookkeepers are 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Accounting administrator vs. Accounts payable clerk

An accounts payable clerk is responsible for supporting the accounting department by performing clerical duties to file financial reports timely and accurately. Accounts payable clerks manage and verify invoices documents, reconcile balance spreadsheets, process payments for suppliers and vendors, resolve billing discrepancies, confirm and post account statements, record outstanding credits, and maintain an organized record of transactions. An accounts payable clerk must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles to deliver high-quality services and help the business minimize excessive financial loss.

A career as a accounts payable clerk brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an accounting administrator. In fact, accounts payable clerks salary is $9,735 lower than the salary of accounting administrators per year.A few skills overlap for accounting administrators and accounts payable clerks. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "data entry," and "reconciliations. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that accounting administrator responsibilities requires skills like "credit card payments," "office equipment," "balance sheet," and "accounts receivables." But an accounts payable clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "payroll," "credit card," "hr," and "vendor inquiries."

Accounts payable clerks may earn a lower salary than accounting administrators, but accounts payable clerks earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $41,570. On the other hand, accounting administrators receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $49,796.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Accounts payable clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than accounting administrators. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Accounting administrator vs. Junior accountant

Junior accountants maintain the financial records of companies through the analysis of their general ledger accounts and balance sheets. The accountant's post journal entries, maintain accounts receivable and payable, and update financial statements. They pay payroll every month, reconcile ledgers, and submit payroll taxes. The skills necessary for this job include analytical skills, problem-solving, information confidentiality, and proficiency in accounting software and technology. They are also expected to be detail-oriented.

An average junior accountant eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of accounting administrators. The difference in salaries amounts to junior accountants earning a $2,376 higher average salary than accounting administrators.accounting administrators and junior accountants both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data entry," "reconciliations," and "purchase orders," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from accounting administrator resumes include skills like "customer service," "journal entries," "credit card payments," and "office equipment," whereas a junior accountant is more likely to list skills in "accruals," "balance sheet accounts," "hr," and "income statement. "

Junior accountants earn the highest salary when working in the construction industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,091. Comparatively, accounting administrators have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $49,796.Most junior accountants achieve a similar degree level compared to accounting administrators. For example, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Accounting administrator vs. Accountable clerk

The duties of an accountable clerk vary in one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the financial aspects of a company, including revenue and budget. They mostly process payments and income, ensuring accuracy in every detail and transaction. An accountable clerk may also have clerical tasks such as producing progress reports, answering calls and correspondence, coordinating with various department personnel, and maintaining a database of information. Should there be any issues, it is essential to report to a manager right away.

Accountable clerks tend to earn a lower pay than accounting administrators by an average of $9,948 per year.According to resumes from accounting administrators and accountable clerks, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "data entry," and "purchase orders. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "reconciliations," "credit card payments," "customer payments," and "account reconciliations" are skills that commonly show up on accounting administrator resumes. On the other hand, accountable clerks use skills like process payroll, payment vouchers, ledgers, and hr on their resumes.accountable clerks enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $40,489. For comparison, accounting administrators earn the highest salary in the technology industry.accountable clerks reach similar levels of education compared to accounting administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of accounting administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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