Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

SOC: 43-3031 O*NET: 43-3031.00
Median Salary
$49,210
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
170
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

What does a Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks do?

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$34,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,390
25th percentile
Median
$49,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,220
75th percentile
Top Earners
$72,660
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$34,600
25th
$41,390
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,210
Mean: $52,020
75th
$60,220
90th
$72,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $38,060 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $41,390 and $60,220
  • Salary spread is 38.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 1,455,770 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:1,613,400

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services14.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services14.5%
Construction8.9%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-5.8%
Annual Openings:170,000

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)1,613,400
Current
2034 (Projected)1,519,100
-5.8%
-94,300
Employment Change
-5.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Decline

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
154,980 jobs$57,4700.91x
Texas
130,770 jobs$48,2501.00x
Florida
107,210 jobs$47,9801.16x
New York
93,920 jobs$55,8801.04x
Pennsylvania
54,580 jobs$47,3900.96x
Illinois
53,340 jobs$48,8400.93x
Ohio
48,280 jobs$47,4300.93x
North Carolina
48,160 jobs$46,6401.04x
New Jersey
40,560 jobs$56,7301.01x
Tennessee
40,360 jobs$46,5401.31x
Michigan
40,100 jobs$47,6800.97x
Georgia
36,690 jobs$47,4900.80x
Washington
36,640 jobs$56,5801.10x
Virginia
35,730 jobs$48,6800.93x
Massachusetts
31,010 jobs$57,1200.90x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Mathematics
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
92%
#3
Active Listening
82%
#4
Reading Comprehension
74%
#5
Writing
66%
#6
Speaking
58%
#7
Monitoring
48%
#8
Time Management
40%

Skills Overview

Mathematics
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.1
82%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
basic2.9
58%
Monitoring
basic2.4
48%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Mathematics

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance82%
skills
4.1/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Speaking

basic
Importance58%
skills
2.9/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance48%
skills
2.4/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Billing and Posting Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Gambling Cage Workers80%
5 shared skills
Medical Dosimetrists80%
5 shared skills
Tax Preparers80%
5 shared skills
Tellers80%
5 shared skills
Medical Transcriptionists78%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • Writing
  • Speaking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Mathematics
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Mathematics
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Intuit QuickBooks

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP Concur

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle Database

🔥 Hot Tech

Yardi software

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Acrobat

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle PeopleSoft

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Epic Systems

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Intuit QuickBooks
SAP Concur
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Yardi software
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Epic Systems

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (9)Operations & Execution (3)
1

Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform
3

Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, and other financial statements according to established procedures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform
7

Compile statistical, financial, accounting, or auditing reports and tables pertaining to such matters as cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivable, and profits and losses.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Code documents according to company procedures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Operations & Execution73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks professionals typically have a CEI Holland code and highly value support

CConventional
EEnterprising
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.70

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.52

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.41

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.37

Initiative

Very Important

Initiative

Importance Level4.09

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.06

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Initiative
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Concern for Others
3.9
Independence
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Self-Control
3.9

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

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