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Accounting bookkeeper vs sales administrator/administrative assistant

The differences between accounting bookkeepers and sales administrator/administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an accounting bookkeeper, becoming a sales administrator/administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an accounting bookkeeper has an average salary of $51,406, which is higher than the $36,442 average annual salary of a sales administrator/administrative assistant.

The top three skills for an accounting bookkeeper include data entry, reconciliations and payroll taxes. The most important skills for a sales administrator/administrative assistant are reservations, word processing, and data entry.

Accounting bookkeeper vs sales administrator/administrative assistant overview

Accounting BookkeeperSales Administrator/Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$51,406$36,442
Hourly rate$24.71$17.52
Growth rate-5%-8%
Number of jobs40,579104,412
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age5150
Years of experience62

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 sales administrator/administrative assistant do?

A sales administrator/administrative assistant is responsible for assisting the sales department on its overall operations and strategies to sell goods and services that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. Sales administrator/administrative assistants perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, such as creating and evaluating sales reports, writing business proposals, scheduling meetings, booking events, and researching current market trends to identify business opportunities. They must have excellent customer service and communication skills, managing customers' inquiries and concerns, processing orders and payments, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Accounting bookkeeper vs sales administrator/administrative assistant salary

Accounting bookkeepers and sales administrator/administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting BookkeeperSales Administrator/Administrative Assistant
Average salary$51,406$36,442
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $66,000Between $29,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityVallejo, CASanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareHawaii
Best paying companyGrowthForceSplunk
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and sales administrator/administrative assistant education

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

Accounting BookkeeperSales Administrator/Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Accounting bookkeeper vs sales administrator/administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between accounting bookkeepers' and sales administrator/administrative assistants' demographics:

Accounting BookkeeperSales Administrator/Administrative Assistant
Average age5150
Gender ratioMale, 15.5% Female, 84.5%Male, 9.7% Female, 90.3%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and sales administrator/administrative assistant 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.
  • Show more

Sales administrator/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Contribute to marketing business online and manage Facebook page.
  • Invoice customer on completion of project.
  • Perform regular audits on the CRM system for data and process integrity and routine database maintenance.
  • Create accounts, contacts, and opportunities resulting in the successful execution of customer contracts in Salesforce.
  • Process new applications for merchant banking services, cash advance funding, POS equipment leasing, and small business lending.
  • Prepare and sustain business reports; expense tracking, monthly accrual and invoice payment submission, procurement card reconciliation report maintenance.
  • Show more

Accounting bookkeeper vs sales administrator/administrative assistant skills

Common accounting bookkeeper skills
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Reconciliations, 8%
  • Payroll Taxes, 8%
  • Journal Entries, 7%
  • Vendor Invoices, 5%
  • General Ledger Accounts, 5%
Common sales administrator/administrative assistant skills
  • Reservations, 12%
  • Word Processing, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%

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