Accounting clerk vs clerk

The differences between accounting clerks and clerks 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 clerk, becoming a clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an accounting clerk has an average salary of $38,683, which is higher than the $31,163 average annual salary of a clerk.

The top three skills for an accounting clerk include data entry, customer service and purchase orders. The most important skills for a clerk are basic math, math, and data entry.

Accounting clerk vs clerk overview

	Accounting Clerk	Clerk
Yearly salary	$38,683	$31,163
Hourly rate	$18.60	$14.98
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	106,969	80,311
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	51	47
Years of experience	6	2

What does an accounting clerk do?

Accounting clerks are employees assigned to manage administrative and clerical tasks in the accounting department. Accounting clerks handle office accounting records and ensure that files are properly labeled and stored. They validate records and check whether these are updated. They also sort through documents to ensure that they are in their proper storage bins. Aside from document handling, they also help with creating and validating financial statements and bookkeeping. As such, accounting clerks should have a strong background in accounting to manage their tasks better.

What does a clerk do?

Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.

Accounting clerk vs clerk salary

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

	Accounting Clerk	Clerk
Average salary	$38,683	$31,163
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker Llp	University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between accounting clerk and clerk education

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

	Accounting Clerk	Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Western Carolina University

Accounting clerk vs clerk demographics

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

	Accounting Clerk	Clerk
Average age	51	47
Gender ratio	Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%	Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	7%	6%

Differences between accounting clerk and clerk duties and responsibilities

Accounting clerk example responsibilities.

Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
Perform balance sheet reconciliations and resolve open items by notifying employees and vendors of transaction discrepancies.
Assist in monthly financial close process by analyzing preliminary departmental expense reports and making necessary adjustments and accruals.
Develop a spreadsheet that pulls all data relate to project hours by operation from the ERP system.
Process all incoming payments receive via ACH, EFT, or the web; ensure accounts are accurately balance and reconcile.
Digitize proof of delivery receipts into ERP system (AS400) serving as an easy backup for employees to verify occurrence.

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Clerk example responsibilities.

Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
Manage orthopedic accounts regarding payment posting through IDX medical systems.
Administer financial bookkeeping by way of QuickBooks.
Bank reconciliation in QuickBooks and assist bookkeeper when need.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
Call DMV's and dealerships when liens are not perfect.

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Accounting clerk vs clerk skills

Common accounting clerk skills

Data Entry, 15%
Customer Service, 10%
Purchase Orders, 9%
Reconciliations, 6%
Vendor Invoices, 6%
QuickBooks, 3%

Common clerk skills

Basic Math, 18%
Math, 10%
Data Entry, 10%
Customer Service, 9%
Cleanliness, 8%
POS, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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