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Finance clerk skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.,

Dr. Nicholas Robinson

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical finance clerk skills. We ranked the top skills for finance clerks based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of finance clerk resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a finance clerk needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 finance clerk skills for your resume and career

1. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how finance clerks use data entry:

Perform daily financial and operational data entry, complete analysis and reconciliation of financial data, record journal entries.
Processed insurance claims * Recorded data entry using network system * Supported accounting department

2. Purchase Orders

Here's how finance clerks use purchase orders:

Maintained and closed Purchase Orders Communicated with vendors via telephone Prepared documents using word processing, spreadsheet and database software
Administered federal procurement regulations to verify and process 100 purchase order requests and expense vouchers per month

3. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how finance clerks use hr:

Input employee information into the HR data system.
Record and Maintain Master Card Transactions Work directly with Maintenance, IC/QA, HR, Training, departments and Managers

4. Bank Statements

Here's how finance clerks use bank statements:

Assisted in organizing City elections, assisted in completing twenty monthly bank statements
Have investigated and researched balance errors of accounts at each of the 4 locations and brought into reconciling with bank statements.

5. Bank Deposits

Any money that a customer chooses to leave with their bank account is a deposit. Deposits can vary in amounts and different banks have limits on the deposits their customers can have as a minimum. Banks charge customers for deposits especially when a teller is used by the customer to deposit money into their account.

Here's how finance clerks use bank deposits:

Prepared bank deposits as necessary and periodically reconciled various account receivable accounts as needed.
Perform bank reconciliation and prepare required documents for bank deposits.

6. Credit Card

A type of card issued by banks and other financial institutions, that enable users to manage and borrow their finances is called a credit card. The funds borrowed from a financial institution through a credit card are meant to be paid back along with certain amounts of interest imposed by the bank.

Here's how finance clerks use credit card:

Entered customers payments into PeopleSoft system using credit card information.
Reconciled credit card inventories with external collections agencies for activities.

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7. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls are a communication means through which a caller is connected to the called party. The call is done through a telecommunications device called a telephone. The caller can use a landline, mobile phone, or satellite phone to make the call.

Here's how finance clerks use telephone calls:

Shared responsibilities of customer service, incoming telephone calls.
Answer incoming telephone calls; determine nature of business and direct call to proper destination.

8. Journal Entries

Journal entries can be defined as an act of keeping or making records of any transactions either economic or non-economic. The journal entries are made in the accounting systems of an organization. The entries are filled with two main fields; debit and credit. The debit and credit must be equal at the end of a journal entry else it is not considered correct. The journal entries also keep the date of transactions and the names of the accounts that were affected by the transactions.

Here's how finance clerks use journal entries:

Completed miscellaneous journal entries as needed by department director.
Complete monthly inventory and associated journal entries.

9. Financial Transactions

The type of agreement held between two parties (buyer and seller) regarding an exchange of funds for an asset, is termed as a financial transaction. The financial transaction is the exchange of products, services, cash or credit, information, and other things of value among two separate entities for a common goal.

Here's how finance clerks use financial transactions:

Performed clerical and administrative functions such as customer service and records in addition to conducting financial transactions and issuing parking permits
Research and analyze financial depository account inquiries for responses to customer inquiries and/or film/image/scan, financial transactions.

10. Office Equipment

Here's how finance clerks use office equipment:

Operate general office equipment, answer phones, provide callers with basic financial aid information, and prepare correspondence.
Maintained accurate spreadsheets and records using computer software and other systems, as well as standard office equipment.

11. General Ledger Accounts

A general ledger account is a practice to keep a record of a company's total financial accounts. The accounts included in a general ledger lists the assets, liabilities, owners' equity, expenses, and income or revenue. It forms the basis of reporting a business's financial statements.

Here's how finance clerks use general ledger accounts:

Performed account analysis of general ledger accounts.
Compiled reconciliation reports for General ledger accounts

12. Process Invoices

Here's how finance clerks use process invoices:

Code bills and process invoices for payment, and coordinate with vendors.
Verify and process invoices for General Fund and all Inter-company funds.

13. Financial Aid Applications

Here's how finance clerks use financial aid applications:

Provided impeccable customer service to students by providing assistance in the processing of financial aid applications.
Provide information and assistance in completing financial aid applications to a diversified population.

14. Expense Reports

Here's how finance clerks use expense reports:

Reviewed accounts receivable and site expense reports Communicated effectively across multiple channels internally and with customers.
Reconciled expense reports: checked accuracy, verified documents and coded account distribution.

15. Computer System

Here's how finance clerks use computer system:

Organized and maintained customer records by navigating various databases and online computer systems.
Assist customers with ineligibility in the auction computer system.

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What skills help Finance Clerks find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on finance clerk resumes?

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Co-director of the Student Managed Investment Fund, Bucknell University

The obvious trends are going to become more pronounced: coding and technology-related skills. I think we are going to see an elevation in the coding expectations. In the future, I expect employers to begin providing coding assessments to potential candidates. This is a common feature of engineering and finance jobs, and I think we will see it with respect to claims about coding prowess.

Data skills will also continue to become more prevalent across all business disciplines. Employers are looking for experience with large data sets, data visualization software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Alteryx, etc.) and statistical analysis. Data has become a major currency, and employees' ability to utilize data for decision making will be critical to success in the employment marketplace.

Beyond the obvious, I think the pandemic has also shifted focus to skills surrounding resilience and motivation. I've heard employers during the pandemic express surprise at the disparity of responses to the pandemic: some employees made the pivot to remote work seamlessly, others required significantly more support. Skills that demonstrate resilience, such as group work, honors programs, etc. will become more important.
I would encourage job seekers to highlight skills learned during the pandemic. I would anticipate a regular interview question inquiring about how the job seeker used their extra time during the pandemic. The most common answers will likely include lots of Queen's Gambit and Tiger King, but employers will look for answers surrounding the development of new skills or acquired certifications. Imagine the employer's thoughts when you suggest that you used the extra time to pursue a lifelong dream such as learning to play the piano or guitar. If you missed the early pandemic window of opportunity, take advantage now!

This line of questions may precede a dangerous trend for employers to look for indications of mental strength. I find this possibility disheartening as we could see employers screening employees with mental health challenges at a time when the solidarity of a job could provide much needed structure.

What soft skills should all finance clerks possess?

Dr. Nicholas Robinson

Director of Accountancy, Eastern Illinois University

Thinking of the less than the obvious answer would be the ability to ask questions the right way. If something is unclear or you just cannot figure it out, ask a question. The key part to this is TRYING to figure it out first and understanding when you are wasting your own time not getting anywhere. People will respect that you tried before coming to them for help. Another aspect of asking questions is listening to the answer. Make sure the answer is clear, and you know where or what you are supposed to do from there. Carry a notebook or something like that to both write down the questions you have on your project and their answers. I always find it impressive when people take notes and pay attention to the answer because it happens far too often that people ask questions but never listen to the response.

What hard/technical skills are most important for finance clerks?

Dr. Nicholas Robinson

Director of Accountancy, Eastern Illinois University

Excel, excel, excel. It does not matter how much you know in Excel. There is always something more to learn, improve upon, or make more efficient. If you are coming straight out of school, you may have had a lot of exposure to Excel, but if you are not using it every day in a work-like setting, you can get slow and forget how things work. Know how to look up techniques and tools. You will spend much of your working life dealing with Excel spreadsheets, so be sure you are comfortable with them.

What technical skills for a finance clerk stand out to employers?

Jodi Olson

Assistant Accounting Professor, Winona State University

Accountants serve many industries and sectors, so a broad range of technical skills is required to be ready to meet the needs of employers. Graduates must be technically competent in areas such as accounting information systems, tax preparation, auditing, managerial/cost accounting, financial reporting, and financial statement analysis. Also, graduates are expected to have general business acumen in areas such as management information systems, business law, operations, strategic management, and ethics. All these skills are important for graduates, but the pandemic has made the accounting systems and management information systems skills operative in allowing graduates to deliver their other areas of technical expertise.

Do you want to know more?

List of finance clerk skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a finance clerk resume and required skills for a finance clerk to have include:

Data Entry
Purchase Orders
HR
Bank Statements
Bank Deposits
Credit Card
Telephone Calls
Journal Entries
Financial Transactions
Office Equipment
General Ledger Accounts
Process Invoices
Financial Aid Applications
Expense Reports
Computer System
Clerical Support

Front Desk
Financial Data
Loan Applications
Financial Statements
Office Machines
Account Reconciliations
FAFSA
Customer Accounts
Process Payments
Vendor Invoices
Bank Reconciliations
Accounts Receivables
Financial Aid
Bank Accounts
QuickBooks
Accounts Payables

PowerPoint
PeopleSoft
Fixed Assets
AS400
Vendor Payments
IRS
Wire Transfers
Student Accounts
Travel Arrangements
Financial Policies
Insurance Claims
Cash Drawers
USPS
Credit Applications

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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