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The differences between processing specialists and bookkeepers 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 a bookkeeper. Additionally, a processing specialist has an average salary of $55,587, which is higher than the $40,337 average annual salary of a bookkeeper.
The top three skills for a processing specialist include customer service, data entry and quality standards. The most important skills for a bookkeeper are payroll tax returns, customer service, and reconciliations.
| Processing Specialist | Bookkeeper | |
| Yearly salary | $55,587 | $40,337 |
| Hourly rate | $26.72 | $19.39 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 41,858 | 38,481 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Bookkeepers are employees who are in charge of the company's general ledger. They are well-versed in basic accounting principles, and they apply these in their work. Bookkeepers manage the entry of items in the general ledger, assign items into their proper categories, and ensure that the entries are balanced. They also act as auditors by checking the accuracy and veracity of the receipts or vouchers in their possession before entering them into the system. Bookkeepers ensure that their files are up to date and free of errors.
Processing specialists and bookkeepers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Processing Specialist | Bookkeeper | |
| Average salary | $55,587 | $40,337 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $98,000 | Between $30,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New York |
| Best paying company | Meta | NTT Data International L.L.C. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a processing specialist and a bookkeeper in terms of educational background:
| Processing Specialist | Bookkeeper | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between processing specialists' and bookkeepers' demographics:
| Processing Specialist | Bookkeeper | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5% | Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6% |
| 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, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |