Processing specialist vs accounting clerk

The differences between processing specialists and accounting clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a processing specialist and an accounting clerk. Additionally, a processing specialist has an average salary of $55,587, which is higher than the $38,683 average annual salary of an accounting clerk.

The top three skills for a processing specialist include customer service, data entry and quality standards. The most important skills for an accounting clerk are data entry, customer service, and purchase orders.

Processing specialist vs accounting clerk overview

	Processing Specialist	Accounting Clerk
Yearly salary	$55,587	$38,683
Hourly rate	$26.72	$18.60
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	41,858	106,969
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	6	6

What does a processing specialist do?

A processing specialist mainly functions to extend and relay information within a company or organization. Most of the time, they are responsible for gathering, verifying, processing, and analyzing data from various aspects such as clients and sales. Aside from this, they perform research and analysis, utilizing the results to develop strategies and plans to help the company pursue deals and provide optimum services. Furthermore, a processing specialist needs to coordinate with managers and be equipped with communication skills as there are instances where they must engage with clients.

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.

Processing specialist vs accounting clerk salary

Processing specialists and accounting clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Processing Specialist	Accounting Clerk
Average salary	$55,587	$38,683
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $98,000	Between $29,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	Meta	Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker Llp
Best paying industry	Professional	Government

Differences between processing specialist and accounting clerk education

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

	Processing Specialist	Accounting Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Processing specialist vs accounting clerk demographics

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

	Processing Specialist	Accounting Clerk
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between processing specialist and accounting clerk duties and responsibilities

Processing specialist example responsibilities.

Manage an email account specifically for customers to fill out an RMA request form.
Personalize and manage a customer SQL network database to consolidate all incoming orders from different marketplaces.
Utilize the Dictaphone transcription equipment, and process large volumes of documents on a daily basis.
Create and maintain organizational charts using Microsoft Visio.
Provide expert help to Wang users.
Open and diagnose incoming mail using Opex rapid extraction equipment.

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.

Processing specialist vs accounting clerk skills

Common processing specialist skills

Customer Service, 20%
Data Entry, 13%
Quality Standards, 8%
Process Improvement, 7%
Patients, 5%
Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

Common accounting clerk skills

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

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Processing Specialist
Processing Specialist vs Accounting Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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