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The differences between general ledger bookkeepers and junior accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a general ledger bookkeeper, becoming a junior accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a junior accountant has an average salary of $50,444, which is higher than the $44,940 average annual salary of a general ledger bookkeeper.
The top three skills for a general ledger bookkeeper include reconciliations, general ledger accounts and CPA. The most important skills for a junior accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.
| General Ledger Bookkeeper | Junior Accountant | |
| Yearly salary | $44,940 | $50,444 |
| Hourly rate | $21.61 | $24.25 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 56,765 | 57,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 51 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A general ledger bookkeeper conducts daily recording and maintenance of all of a business' financial transactions. These transactions include purchases, expenses, invoices, sales revenue, and payments, all of which are summarized in the general ledger. They are expected to prepare journal entries and ensure data is accurate. Furthermore, at the end of a specific period, they are expected to transfer the entries to the ledger. They ensure that the transactions reported meet accounting standards.
Junior accountants maintain the financial records of companies through the analysis of their general ledger accounts and balance sheets. The accountant's post journal entries, maintain accounts receivable and payable, and update financial statements. They pay payroll every month, reconcile ledgers, and submit payroll taxes. The skills necessary for this job include analytical skills, problem-solving, information confidentiality, and proficiency in accounting software and technology. They are also expected to be detail-oriented.
General ledger bookkeepers and junior accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Ledger Bookkeeper | Junior Accountant | |
| Average salary | $44,940 | $50,444 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $59,000 | Between $38,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Fuhu |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a general ledger bookkeeper and a junior accountant in terms of educational background:
| General Ledger Bookkeeper | Junior Accountant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between general ledger bookkeepers' and junior accountants' demographics:
| General Ledger Bookkeeper | Junior Accountant | |
| Average age | 51 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% | Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |