Accounting bookkeeper vs senior accounting clerk

The differences between accounting bookkeepers and senior accounting 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 senior accounting clerk. Additionally, an accounting bookkeeper has an average salary of $51,406, which is higher than the $46,531 average annual salary of a senior accounting clerk.

The top three skills for an accounting bookkeeper include data entry, reconciliations and payroll taxes. The most important skills for a senior accounting clerk are data entry, general ledger accounts, and reconciliations.

Accounting bookkeeper vs senior accounting clerk overview

	Accounting Bookkeeper	Senior Accounting Clerk
Yearly salary	$51,406	$46,531
Hourly rate	$24.71	$22.37
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	40,579	82,627
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	6	6

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 senior accounting clerk do?

Senior Accounting Clerks lead in a complex set of work staff and are responsible for performing governmental fund accounting that involves reporting and financial record keeping. They are responsible for resolving discrepancies, verifying and auditing financial reports, and inputting data into their financial accounting system. They must know methods of verifying and reconciling accounting records, accounts payable and receivable, and how to familiarize themselves with their firm's financial accounting software. They must also be skilled in handling large sums of cash with integrity and making manual arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy.

Accounting bookkeeper vs senior accounting clerk salary

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

	Accounting Bookkeeper	Senior Accounting Clerk
Average salary	$51,406	$46,531
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $66,000	Between $33,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	Vallejo, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Delaware	California
Best paying company	GrowthForce	Encore Capital Group
Best paying industry	Professional	Finance

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and senior accounting clerk education

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

	Accounting Bookkeeper	Senior Accounting Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Accounting bookkeeper vs senior accounting clerk demographics

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

	Accounting Bookkeeper	Senior Accounting Clerk
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%	Male, 18.0% Female, 82.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between accounting bookkeeper and senior accounting 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.

Senior accounting clerk example responsibilities.

Manage payroll general ledger accounts including account reconciliations and monthly accruals.
Implement premium accounting statistical reports of all monies collect, including return items and general accounting from bank reconciliations.
Process ACH payments in accordance with company deadlines.
Cross train on many functions within the ACH department.
Monitor and clear holding accounts daily using PeopleSoft; prepare journals as necessary.
Assist with monthly, quarterly, and yearly closing processes, including accruals.

Accounting bookkeeper vs senior accounting 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 senior accounting clerk skills

Data Entry, 10%
General Ledger Accounts, 9%
Reconciliations, 8%
Senior Accounting, 7%
Purchase Orders, 7%
Credit Card Payments, 5%

Accounting Bookkeeper vs. similar jobs

Accounting Bookkeeper related careers

Accounting Bookkeeper related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Accounting Bookkeeper
Accounting Bookkeeper vs Senior Accounting Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs