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Accounting and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant

The differences between accounting and administrative assistants and clerical/administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an accounting and administrative assistant and a clerical/administrative assistant. Additionally, an accounting and administrative assistant has an average salary of $38,192, which is higher than the $30,983 average annual salary of a clerical/administrative assistant.

The top three skills for an accounting and administrative assistant include data entry, customer service and financial statements. The most important skills for a clerical/administrative assistant are data entry, word processing, and payroll.

Accounting and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant overview

Accounting And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$38,192$30,983
Hourly rate$18.36$14.90
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs73,06056,261
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does an accounting and administrative assistant do?

An accounting administrative assistant is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department of an organization by performing administrative duties to maintain efficient and accurate services. Accounting administrative assistants conduct bookkeeping functions, as well as creating financial reports, analyzing account statements, updating account information on the database, processing invoices, and managing account receivables. They must have basic knowledge of the accounting disciplines, as well as excellent analytical and communication skills, especially on receiving clients' inquiries and concerns and administering payment procedures.

What does a clerical/administrative assistant do?

An administrative assistant, also known as a secretary or office clerk, is someone who carries out daily clerical and administrative tasks. Admin assistants do a variety of tasks such as answering phone calls, organizing files, maintaining contacts, schedule meetings and appointments, and many more. Their task can be extensive, depending on the needs of operations and higher management. They serve as a gatekeeper of the company, so strong verbal and written communication skills are a must. They should also exhibit great organizational skills and time management since they act as the resource of the company.

Accounting and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant salary

Accounting and administrative assistants and clerical/administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Average salary$38,192$30,983
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyErnst & YoungUniversity of California
Best paying industryTechnologyGovernment

Differences between accounting and administrative assistant and clerical/administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between an accounting and administrative assistant and a clerical/administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Accounting And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Accounting and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between accounting and administrative assistants' and clerical/administrative assistants' demographics:

Accounting And Administrative AssistantClerical/Administrative Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 10.0% Female, 90.0%Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 3.9% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between accounting and administrative assistant and clerical/administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Accounting and administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • Upload participant and employer contributions after each payroll run, prepare ACH wire for funds and reconcile payroll.
  • Maintain a cash balance report consisting of current bank account activity, business checking balance and upcoming ACH withdrawal transactions.
  • Create numerous PowerPoint presentations for internal and external presentations.
  • Set up PowerPoint presentations, operate overhead projectors and microphones.
  • Recorded/Maintain accounts payable and accounts receivable by investigating business transaction discrepancies via QuickBooks.
  • Show more

Clerical/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work with QuickBooks to manage store invoices and accounts.
  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Check patients in and out, EMR, collect co-pays, answer phones, and take patients to exam rooms.
  • Assist with preparing and printing of exhibits, spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides as needed.
  • Maintain payroll and expense information.
  • Show more

Accounting and administrative assistant vs clerical/administrative assistant skills

Common accounting and administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Financial Statements, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 6%
  • Vendor Invoices, 4%
  • QuickBooks, 4%
Common clerical/administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 31%
  • Word Processing, 18%
  • Payroll, 14%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 4%
  • Clerical Support, 3%

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