How long does it take to become an Accounts Receivable Clerk?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become an accounts receivable clerk. That is the time it takes to learn specific accounts receivable clerk skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become an accounts receivable clerk.

What is an accounts receivable clerk and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Jodi Olson

An accounts receivable clerk is an individual responsible for managing a company's outstanding invoices and ensuring payments are made on time. They keep track of customer accounts, generate invoices, and follow up on overdue payments. They work closely with other members of the accounting team to reconcile accounts and maintain records. The role requires strong attention to detail and communication skills. Overall, an accounts receivable clerk plays a critical role in maintaining cash flow for a company.

What's a day at work look like for an Accounts Receivable Clerk?

Jodi Olson

Assistant Accounting Professor, Winona State University

Graduates could see a range of possibilities from working entirely remotely to fully on-site with precautions in place, based on recent graduate and internship experiences we have seen during the pandemic. Except for a very few internships cut short or cancelled immediately at the onset of the pandemic as the profession adapted to unknowns and putting safety measures in place, we have not seen a significant change in the demand for interns or graduates. Some new graduates expect their first day on the jobs to be remote and feel ready to meet that challenge being familiar with the technology required to be productive and communicate virtually. It has become an assumption that precautions are in place, regardless of the remote or in-person setting. It seems that both graduates and employers are working hard together to achieve success, both with caution and the usual high professional standards.

ScoreAccounts Receivable ClerkUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $36,425

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.0

Growth Rate -5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.54%

Black or African American 6.76%

Hispanic or Latino 14.38%

Unknown 3.96%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 86.31%

male 13.69%

Age - 53

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 53

Stress Level

6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.4

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.3

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Accounts Receivable Clerk?

Pros

Opportunity to learn finance and accounting skills
Job stability and consistent pay
Variety of tasks and responsibilities
Opportunity to develop customer service skills
Flexible work hours may be available

Cons

Repetitive tasks may become boring or tedious
High level of attention to detail required, which can be stressful
Frequent interaction with unhappy customers or clients
Pressure to meet tight deadlines and quotas
Potential for high stress during month-end or year-end close periods

Key steps to become an accounts receivable clerk

Explore accounts receivable clerk education requirements

Most common accounts receivable clerk degrees

Bachelor's

36.1 %

Associate

31.4 %

High School Diploma

19.0 %

Start to develop specific accounts receivable clerk skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	12.19%
Data Entry	9.37%
Collection Calls	7.62%
Financial Data	6.61%
Credit Card Payments	5.25%

Complete relevant accounts receivable clerk training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounts receivable clerks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounts receivable clerk based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounts receivable clerk resumes.

Gain additional accounts receivable clerk certifications

Accounts receivable clerk certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific accounts receivable clerk certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for accounts receivable clerks include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).

More About Certifications

Research accounts receivable clerk duties and responsibilities

Manage and monitor weekly bank deposit runs and record deposits into QuickBooks.
Manage profitable accounts receivable ledgers for existing and new clientele maintaining accuracy of monies enter to appropriate relate account.
Obtain online reports of bank transactions, including deposits, ACH, EFT and wire payments from multiple banking institutions.
Utilize QuickBooks accounting software for billing/invoices, generate statements.

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