Payroll clerk vs accountable clerk

The differences between payroll clerks and accountable clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a payroll clerk, becoming an accountable clerk takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a payroll clerk has an average salary of $41,602, which is higher than the $38,120 average annual salary of an accountable clerk.

The top three skills for a payroll clerk include data entry, payroll system and photocopying. The most important skills for an accountable clerk are data entry, financial reports, and purchase orders.

Payroll clerk vs accountable clerk overview

	Payroll Clerk	Accountable Clerk
Yearly salary	$41,602	$38,120
Hourly rate	$20.00	$18.33
Growth rate	-3%	-5%
Number of jobs	71,944	81,209
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	48	51
Years of experience	4	6

What does a payroll clerk do?

A payroll clerk is responsible for managing the payroll process by collecting the necessary information needed to release payments. Payroll clerks' duties include verifying timesheets, calculating necessary deductions, issuing paychecks timely, managing payment discrepancies and disputes, updating employee's payment information in the database, and creating payroll reports. A payroll clerk must have strong analytical and organization skills, as well as a clear understanding of the organization's payroll policies, ensuring that the process follows regulatory procedures.

What does an accountable clerk do?

The duties of an accountable clerk vary in one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the financial aspects of a company, including revenue and budget. They mostly process payments and income, ensuring accuracy in every detail and transaction. An accountable clerk may also have clerical tasks such as producing progress reports, answering calls and correspondence, coordinating with various department personnel, and maintaining a database of information. Should there be any issues, it is essential to report to a manager right away.

Payroll clerk vs accountable clerk salary

Payroll clerks and accountable clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Clerk	Accountable Clerk
Average salary	$41,602	$38,120
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $55,000	Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	New Haven, CT
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Massachusetts
Best paying company	MDU Resources	Wayne County, Michigan
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between payroll clerk and accountable clerk education

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

	Payroll Clerk	Accountable Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll clerk vs accountable clerk demographics

Here are the differences between payroll clerks' and accountable clerks' demographics:

	Payroll Clerk	Accountable Clerk
Average age	48	51
Gender ratio	Male, 12.4% Female, 87.6%	Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 6.5% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	7%

Differences between payroll clerk and accountable clerk duties and responsibilities

Payroll clerk example responsibilities.

Manage all worker compensation and cobra benefit issues and filings.
Manage employee drug and background screenings, train new hires and verify I9 information.
Process payroll; assist in establishing new time and attendance (KRONOS) computer system; balance insurance billings.
View, key, post and monitor time and labor, absences and leave balances in PeopleSoft HRIS system.
Compile data and enter information into ADP payroll processing system.
Process payroll and transmit electronically to outside computer service for preparation of payroll checks and reports.

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Accountable clerk example responsibilities.

Manage the accurate and timely processing of AP invoices for multiple companies.
Manage resident's private information for insurance verification, billing, and eligibility to apply for Medicaid.
Scan incoming A/P, A/R, bank statements, mail, etc.
Review AR aging to ensure compliance.
Process, distribute, and maintain AR invoices.
Review and handle in-clearing reject items (ACH and checks) and process check adjustments.

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Payroll clerk vs accountable clerk skills

Common payroll clerk skills

Data Entry, 19%
Payroll System, 10%
Photocopying, 7%
Excellent Organizational, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
ADP, 5%

Common accountable clerk skills

Data Entry, 11%
Financial Reports, 10%
Purchase Orders, 8%
Customer Service, 8%
Process Payroll, 8%
Office Equipment, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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