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.
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. "
The three companies that hire the most accounting administrators are:
- Tyson Foods8 accounting administrators jobs
- Quaker Houghton6 accounting administrators jobs
- Robert Half4 accounting administrators jobs
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Types of accounting administrator
Updated January 8, 2025











