If you are an intelligent, driven person who has a knack for solving puzzles and keeping things organized, you may be perfect for a job in the accounting field. One of the most attainable jobs to land is that of an accounting clerk. But just what is an accounting clerk? What does this job entail? And how do you get started?
Here we will break down how to become an accounting clerk in Connecticut. We will share the basic accounting clerk requirements – from education to certification – and discuss why an accounting program is essential to getting ahead of the competition and jumpstarting your career. Let’s dive in.
What is an Accounting Clerk?
Accounting is a field that attracts people for a number of reasons, whether or not they excel in math. If you are the person in your household who tracks all of the spending, or you like keeping things neat and organized, a clerk position could be perfect for you.
An accounting clerk computes, calculates, and classifies financial records for organizations. They also keep updated statements, and monitor accounts to ensure payments or transactions are all up-to-date. Advanced accounting clerks may also core documents and check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings recorded by other accounting professionals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accounting clerks is expected to show little to no change over the next several years. Sure, technological changes may reduce demand for this role, but it just means that these clerks will take on a more analytical and data-driven role in the future. Fact is, businesses will always need professionals who know about taxes, audits, compliance, account management, and all the specialized knowledge that goes into an accounting career.
Accounting Clerk Education and Certification Requirements
Most employers require their accounting clerks to have at least some postsecondary education, particularly in accounting. You will also need to have some basic math and computer skills, including training with industry-wide bookkeeping software and spreadsheets.
Most accounting clerks typically get on-the-job training. With the help of a supervisor or experienced colleague, new clerks learn to complete their daily tasks. This on-the-job training usually takes around 6 months to complete; however, those who have completed an accounting program are usually prepared to start right away.
Some accounting professionals such as accounting clerks need to become certified, depending on your employer. For certification, you typically need at least two years of experience in the field. Some certifications, such as bookkeeping, may require a four-part exam and passing a code of ethics. If you have an accounting, however, the certification path can be quicker. Upon completion of an associate degree in Accounting from Goodwin College, for example, students can sit for professional certification in bookkeeping, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel.
How to Become an Accounting Clerk
If you want to succeed in the accounting field, and stand out among the accounting clerk competition, you will want to pursue a degree. An associate-level accounting program, like the one at Goodwin College, can prepare you for a career as an accounting clerk in less than two years’ time. A career-oriented associate degree program will teach you how to manage bookkeeping and lower-level accounting operations for organizations. Students of Goodwin’s program, for example, learn to analyze, organize, report, and summarize financial data with the applicable coursework that emphasizes accounting principles. Some of the skills and knowledge students acquire with this type of program include:
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Awareness of accounting ethics
- Technological skills to accounting challenges
As noted above, once you’ve completed your associate degree in Accounting, you will be prepared to sit for the professional certification in bookkeeping, Microsoft Excel, and QuickBooks – all of which are stand-out certifications when applying for accounting clerk jobs.
The accounting program at Goodwin caters to the busy lives of students who are working and maintaining family obligations. Classes for the accounting program are offered days, nights, and weekends, too. These courses are available on campus and in a hybrid (on campus and online) format. You can choose to follow the standard 15-week classes, or opt for the accelerated, 7 1/2 week path.
If you are ready to jumpstart your accounting clerk career, contact Goodwin College to learn more about the accounting degree path. You may also call 1-800-889-3282 for more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.