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Accounting bookkeeper vs finance clerk

The differences between accounting bookkeepers and finance clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an accounting bookkeeper and a finance clerk. Additionally, an accounting bookkeeper has an average salary of $51,406, which is higher than the $39,225 average annual salary of a finance clerk.

The top three skills for an accounting bookkeeper include data entry, reconciliations and payroll taxes. The most important skills for a finance clerk are data entry, purchase orders, and HR.

Accounting bookkeeper vs finance clerk overview

Accounting BookkeeperFinance Clerk
Yearly salary$51,406$39,225
Hourly rate$24.71$18.86
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs40,579143,372
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age5151
Years of experience66

What does an accounting bookkeeper do?

An Accounting Bookkeeper supervises the financial data and compliance of a company. Accounting Bookkeepers maintain accurate books on accounts receivable and payable, daily financial reconciliations and entries, and payroll. They are in charge of recording various transactions like income and outgoings and posting these transactions to different accounts.

What does a finance clerk do?

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.

Accounting bookkeeper vs finance clerk salary

Accounting bookkeepers and finance clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting BookkeeperFinance Clerk
Average salary$51,406$39,225
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $66,000Between $27,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CityVallejo, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateDelawareNew York
Best paying companyGrowthForceUnited States Courts
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and finance clerk education

There are a few differences between an accounting bookkeeper and a finance clerk in terms of educational background:

Accounting BookkeeperFinance Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Accounting bookkeeper vs finance clerk demographics

Here are the differences between accounting bookkeepers' and finance clerks' demographics:

Accounting BookkeeperFinance Clerk
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 15.5% Female, 84.5%Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and finance clerk duties and responsibilities

Accounting bookkeeper example responsibilities.

  • Process bi-weekly payroll through ADP on-line system; manage distribution of live checks.
  • Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
  • General ledger entries for AR and AP, parts and sales of power equipment.
  • Prepare and print AP checks.
  • Report payroll to ADP system and reconcile payroll account.
  • Work with client's CPA firm for reporting and tax preparation.
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Finance clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage resident's private information for insurance verification, billing, and eligibility to apply for Medicaid.
  • Collaborate with insurance company representatives, case managers and physicians to obtain treatment authorization for potential kidney and kidney/pancreas transplant patients.
  • Write checks in the QuickBooks software to vendors and to reimburse employees.
  • Establish customer files in QuickBooks, write and test work instructions for clients, log and close complete files.
  • Produce PowerPoint presentations in order to brief the command team of the on goings within the company.
  • Used an automate information system (PeopleSoft) to edit, modify, and verify customers personal and payment information.
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Accounting bookkeeper vs finance clerk skills

Common accounting bookkeeper skills
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Reconciliations, 8%
  • Payroll Taxes, 8%
  • Journal Entries, 7%
  • Vendor Invoices, 5%
  • General Ledger Accounts, 5%
Common finance clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 16%
  • Purchase Orders, 9%
  • HR, 5%
  • Bank Statements, 5%
  • Bank Deposits, 5%
  • Credit Card, 4%

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