How long does it take to become an Accounting Assistant?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become an accounting assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific accounting assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 6 to 8 years years to become an accounting assistant.

Do you need a degree to be an accounting assistant?

No, accounting assistants do not need a degree. This entry-level position can be achieved without formal educational qualifications. However, it is becoming less common to hold this position without an associate's degree and, more preferably, a bachelor's degree. Though an accounting assistant is an entry-level position within the accounting department or firm, there is not much room for growth within the field without a degree.

What is an accounting assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Hollis Skaife Ph.D.,

Jodi Olson

An accounting assistant supports the accounting department by performing clerical and administrative tasks. They may process invoices, reconcile accounts, maintain financial records, and prepare reports. Accounting assistants also help with audits and communicate with clients or vendors regarding billing or payment inquiries. They have strong organizational and communication skills and can use computer software such as Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks. Overall, an accounting assistant ensures the accuracy and efficiency of financial operations within a company.

What general advice would you give to an accounting assistant?

Hollis Skaife Ph.D.

Professor of Accounting, UC-Davis

We are fortunate that the vast majority of accounting firms are honoring their employment offers, so our Master's of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) students will have jobs upon graduation. But the start date for many has been delayed. In the past, MPAc graduates juggled starting their jobs and studying for the CPA exam. With the delayed start date, it makes sense that MPAc graduates will use the time to study and successfully complete the CPA exam, so when they do report to work they will be better prepared to focus on their clients.

ScoreAccounting AssistantUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,569

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.0

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.57%

Black or African American 6.82%

Hispanic or Latino 14.49%

Unknown 3.97%

White 67.52%

Gender

female 79.85%

male 20.15%

Age - 53

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 53

Stress level

6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.3

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an accounting assistant?

Pros

Good salary and benefits
Opportunities for career growth
Work in a stable and growing industry
Contribute to the success of a company or organization
Gain valuable experience for other accounting or finance roles

Cons

Tight deadlines and long hours during peak periods
Limited autonomy and decision-making authority
Limited interaction with senior management or executives
Limited opportunities to work remotely or from home
Potential for errors or mistakes that could have significant consequences

Key steps to become an accounting assistant

Explore accounting assistant education requirements

Most common accounting assistant degrees

Bachelor's

54.9 %

Associate

25.6 %

High School Diploma

8.1 %

Start to develop specific accounting assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Entry	12.96%
Customer Service	11.47%
Reconciliations	7.73%
Purchase Orders	6.77%
Credit Card Payments	5.65%

Complete relevant accounting assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounting assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounting assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounting assistant resumes.

Gain additional accounting assistant certifications

Accounting assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific accounting assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for accounting assistants include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

More About Certifications

Research accounting assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
Participate in weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly audits to ensure SOX compliance and propose opportunities for improvement.
Meet with account teams to discuss job structure, new projects, client requests, billing procedures, and SOX requirements.
Reconcile departmental report cash against banking ACH transactions.

Prepare your accounting assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your accounting assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an accounting assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable accounting assistant resume templates

Build a professional accounting assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your accounting assistant resume.