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What does an accounting associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Terri Walsh
What does an accounting associate do

An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.

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Accounting associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real accounting associate resumes:

  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • Reconcile bank statements and prepare company's financial data to be process by outside CPA for tax season.
  • Assist the firm's CPA in yearly personal and corporate income tax returns, business valuations and audits.
  • Reconcile cash receipts to the general ledger (lock-boxes, checks, wire transfers, and ACH payments).
  • Insure preparation and submission of computerize payroll to DFAS for assign personnel.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations for use in trials and conferences.
  • Analyze and resolve variances and provide detailed report to include foreign currency conversion, cash management, ACH and wire transfers.
  • Administer daily accounting functions in QuickBooks accounting software.
  • Utilize QuickBooks to execute budget and forecasting duties; generate and deliver final reports to senior management.
  • Process accounting documents concerning entitlement to travel expenses for military and /or civilian personnel in activities service by DFAS.
  • Perform daily balancing and month-end reconciliations for several accounts ensuring that all revenue is posted to the general ledger timely and accurately
  • Perform monthly and daily transaction preparation including entering journal entries, preparing general ledger reconciliations and preparing reports for month end.
  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • Used in-depth knowledge of other DOD activities with co-workers and/or organizations in a variety of assignments, locations and special circumstances.
  • Audit and verify Medicare billing for accuracy and compliance with establish policies of Medicare and VA programs.

Accounting associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Accounting Associates are proficient in Reconciliations, Customer Service, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.

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

  • Reconciliations, 11%

    Perform daily/monthly close and reconciliations of loan Servicing/Loan Prospector fees and coordinate delivery of this information to downstream accounting data consumers.

  • Customer Service, 10%

    Deliver customer service by answering questions, providing information, and assuring appropriate follow-through and/or resolution; resolve customer billing discrepancies.

  • Data Entry, 8%

    Assisted staff accountants with data entry, analysis of financial statements, researching and reconciling accounting transactions.

  • Account Reconciliations, 4%

    Maintained depreciation and fixed asset management schedules and bank account reconciliations.

  • General Ledger Accounts, 4%

    Account analysis of general ledger accounts, researched unidentified, misapplied and unclaimed premium payments.

  • Purchase Orders, 4%

    Converted non-purchase orders for payment and purchase requisitions into purchase orders using accounting software.

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

Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for an accounting associate 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 associate resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "performed general office duties, including computer data entry, record-keeping, filing, telephone and in-person communication, and mailings. "

Detail oriented. Many accounting associate duties rely on detail oriented. "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records," so an accounting associate will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways accounting associate responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "understand hr policies and convey detailed information to employees calling with questions. "

Integrity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of accounting associates is integrity. This skill is critical to many everyday accounting associate duties, as "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "process all incoming cash receipts for both client payments as well as client retainers for deposit into the trust account. "

Math skills. A big part of what accounting associates do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to accounting associate responsibilities because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical accounting associate tasks: "checked figures, postings, and documents for correct data entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes. "

Most common accounting associate skills

The three companies that hire the most accounting associates are:

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Compare different accounting associates

Accounting associate 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.

We looked at the average accounting associate salary and compared it with the wages of a bookkeeper. Generally speaking, bookkeepers are paid $10,200 lower than accounting associates per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both accounting associate and bookkeeper positions are skilled in reconciliations, customer service, and data entry.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an accounting associate are more likely to require skills like "account reconciliations," "work ethic," "gaap," and "accruals." On the other hand, a job as a bookkeeper requires skills like "payroll tax returns," "journal entries," "credit card accounts," and "quickbooks pro." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Bookkeepers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $42,063. In contrast, accounting associates make the biggest average salary, $52,406, in the finance industry.On average, bookkeepers reach similar levels of education than accounting associates. Bookkeepers are 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Accounting associate vs. Finance clerk

Finance clerks are financial professionals who are responsible for performing various administrative tasks such as keeping financial records, preparing bills, and delivering excellent customer service. These clerks are required to process bills, checks, receipts, and other documents to ensure that they are all properly signed and distributed. They must verify financial and other data so that they can enter those data into the database and maintain updated records. Finance clerks must also assist with account reconciliations and should report the status of accounts and discrepancies to the management.

On average, finance clerks earn a $11,312 lower salary than accounting associates a year.A few skills overlap for accounting associates and finance clerks. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "data entry," "account reconciliations," and "general ledger accounts. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that accounting associate responsibilities requires skills like "reconciliations," "customer service," "work ethic," and "balance sheet." But a finance clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "credit card," "telephone calls," "journal entries," and "office equipment."

On average, finance clerks earn a lower salary than accounting associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, finance clerks earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $40,090. Whereas accounting associates have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $52,406.finance clerks earn similar levels of education than accounting associates in general. They're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for accounting associates in the next 3-5 years?

Terri WalshTerri Walsh LinkedIn profile

Professor/Program Manager, Accounting, Seminole State College of Florida

I think EXCEL is a must for all business graduates, especially for accounting graduates, but often they have not been exposed to much of it in their degree. Besides, with technology continually changing, a dual major in accounting and information technology will be sought after, so I recommend a bachelor's degree accounting major NOT pursue an MBA, but an information technology degree or programming data. The rise of Big Data and issues surrounding cybersecurity risks will require the accounting profession, and accounting roles, to rely more on students with strong computer skills and logic/analytical thinking. As mentioned before, they will need to master EXCEL, as spreadsheets are widely used in accounting and are the foundation for more advanced software. We are already seeing TABLEAU being used in accounting books, even in the foundational courses which have EXCEL already. There is powerful interrogation software, such as IDEA and ACL, which can pull data from multiple sources; and knowing these tools or their capabilities will be required in the future. Also, strong technological skills need to be communicated once data is retrieved, and this will require persuasive writing and verbal skills.

Accounting associate vs. Assistant account executive

An assistant account executive is responsible for managing customer accounts, under the supervision of an account executive. Assistant account executives develop processes and techniques to execute projects based on clients' specifications. They assist account executives with clients' presentations for project updates and status reports. They also manage client requests to increase brand awareness, including maximizing sales strategies and resources and advertising promotions within the budget goals. They must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, especially when managing the clients' expectations and marketing the clients' brands to all available platforms for customers' recognition.

An average assistant account executive eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of accounting associates. The difference in salaries amounts to assistant account executives earning a $484 lower average salary than accounting associates.By looking over several accounting associates and assistant account executives resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "purchase orders," and "powerpoint." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, accounting associates are more likely to have skills like "reconciliations," "data entry," "account reconciliations," and "general ledger accounts." But a assistant account executive is more likely to have skills like "press releases," "account management," "account executives," and "journal entries."

Assistant account executives earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $50,936. Comparatively, accounting associates have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $52,406.Most assistant account executives achieve a similar degree level compared to accounting associates. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Accounting associate vs. Accounts receivable clerk

An Accounts Receivable Clerk specializes in processing payment records and bill statements of a company or organization. Among the duties include calculating total revenues and unpaid invoices, maintaining financial records and keeping a detailed and organized database, and verifying financial transactions and payment delinquencies. Furthermore, an Accounts Receivable Clerk must resolve and examine deductions, prepare invoices and necessary documentation, and review customer payment plans and history records and coordinate with the collections department should there be any issues.

Accounts receivable clerks typically earn lower pay than accounting associates. On average, accounts receivable clerks earn a $14,112 lower salary per year.According to resumes from accounting associates and accounts receivable clerks, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "reconciliations," "customer service," and "data entry. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "general ledger accounts," "work ethic," "powerpoint," and "balance sheet" are skills that commonly show up on accounting associate resumes. On the other hand, accounts receivable clerks use skills like process payments, payroll, ledgers, and strong analytical on their resumes.accounts receivable clerks enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $37,882. For comparison, accounting associates earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of accounts receivable clerks showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to accounting associates. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of accounting associate

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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