Accounting Clerk Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

An Accounting Clerk, or a Bookkeeper, is responsible for ensuring that financial records are accurate and up to date. Their duties include filing receipts and invoices, preparing financial statements and updating records in accounting software.

 

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Accounting Clerk duties and responsibilities

An Accounting Clerk is primarily responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely filing of records to keep the company books up to date. They are responsible for tracking incoming and outgoing money from a company’s accounts. Their duties involve clerical tasks such as data input, reporting along with administrative duties such as filing and organising paper and electronic records. Their responsibilites typically include:

  • Entering financial data into books, spreadsheets or accountancy software
  • Keeping financial records organised and easy to access
  • Locating or tracking invoices, receipts, purchase orders and other financial records
  • Paying wages, paying suppliers and releasing money for refunds
  • Ensuring that the records abide by financial regulations
  • Reconciling accounts at regular intervals (usually once-per-month)
  • Providing financial data or reporting to management for audit purposes
  • Checking for financial irregularities, data entry errors and potential fraud

 

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Accounting Clerk Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Accounts Payable Clerk

Department:
Accounting & Reporting

Reports to:
Accounts Payable Team Leader

Location:
Direct reports:
No

Job Role

The Accounting Clerk ensures invoices from suppliers and maintenance of ledgers are completed within OVF policies and procedures.

Company Vision,

Priorities & Values

Opel Vauxhall Finance’s vision is to meet the mobility needs of our customers through financial services solutions for the Opel and Vauxhall brands.

Our Strategic Priorities focus on the development of our people, performance delivery, penetration, efficiency, customer loyalty and protection - maintaining strong risk management and compliance practices.

We promote a collaborative culture of people who actively contribute with integrity. We are agile, open minded and adaptive to deliver at pace, with customers at the heart of all we do.

A little more about us…

We are an automotive finance company, a joint venture between Stellantis and BNPP Personal Finance, supporting the Opel and Vauxhall brands. With a large team based across 10 European countries, we offer a wide range of career and development opportunities.

What makes us unique is our relentless focus on service excellence for our customers across Europe. It’s not just something we do; “It’s who we are.”

We offer continuous internal and external training that gives you the opportunity to improve the skills you already have or to learn something new. We support professional qualifications when necessary, in addition to training courses to aid your development. We are committed to offering a fair and balanced work environment, with equal opportunities and respect for all.

Position Objectives & Responsibilities

Code and input invoices onto t he country SAP ledgers
Ensure that all invoices are paid within agreed payment terms
Review and process country expenses
Obtain authorisation for all invoices and expenses – co-ordinate distribution and return of invoices
Archiving of invoices and expenses
Monitor ledger to ensure no aged open items or debit balances are on the ledgers
Cross training with other roles in Finance Shared Services
Ad hoc duties as defined by line manager
Understanding and promoting the OVF’s policy on treating customers fairly (TCF)
To ensure ongoing adherence to all relevant compliance regulations that may govern the country business and complete all regulatory knowledge training where applicable in a timely fashion.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience in using SAP or equivalent system
Accounts payable experience
Experience of financial processes and systems
Suitable for someone embarking / or wishing to embark on professional studies such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

Skills & Knowledge

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Software
Working knowledge of the SAP system
Analytical and numerical skills
Knowledge of VAT and international VAT processes
Understanding of general ledger
Basic understanding of financial statements
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to prioritise workloads to meet Service Level Agreements
Ability to work as part of a team/be flexible

Role Type: Full-time
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What does an Accounting Clerk do?

An Accounting Clerk is responsible for inputting financial data into a company’s accounting records or bookkeeping software. They keep records of any financial transactions that take place, including customer orders, stock purchases and credit notes. Accounting Clerks also create invoices, pursue late payments and issue receipts against the company ledger.

Accounting Clerks work as part of a larger accounting team within a company. Often, they assist Accountants or Senior Accountants with the compiling of financial statements and reports. They can help to create profit and loss charts, annual economic forecasts and report financial analytics.

 

Accounting Clerk skills and qualifications

Accounting Clerks need practical accountancy skills and qualifications to succeed in their day-to-day duties. Employers expect accurate arithmetic capabilities, knowledge of accounting systems and the ability to communicate and work as a team. A successful Accounting Clerk candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, they typically include:

  • Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
  • Excellent analytical and reporting abilities
  • Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks and work to deadlines
  • Ability to communicate complex financial information in an easy to understand format
  • Ability to use mathematical skills for accurate accounting
  • Computer literacy and IT skills transferable to bookkeeping software
  • Customer service skills for dealing with clients or suppliers directly

 

Accounting Clerk experience requirements

Most employers prefer a candidate with at least one to two years of experience in accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) duties with data input. Experience of working directly in an accounting role with responsibility for keeping records is also helpful. Usually, a good job description mentions detailed A/P and A/R duties experience with spreadsheets and accounting software such as Excel with pivot tables, QuickBooks, while software such as Xero or QUBE Accounting is an essential. If a company has proprietary accountancy systems, then prospective candidates must have a proven track record of picking up new skills and learning to use software with efficiency.

 

Accounting Clerk education and training requirements

An Accountancy Clerk needs GCSEs in maths, English and IT with A-Levels in maths and English. Entry-level applicants can learn specific skills through an apprenticeship. Some employers also consider a Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping or a Level 2 Certificate in Accounting with additional certifications in Microsoft Office Suite. Optional certifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or maths or an approved accountancy course from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

 

Accounting Clerk salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Accounting Clerk is £30,075 per year. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.

 

Job description samples for similar positions

If Accounting Clerk isn’t the precise job role you are searching for, then here are some related job description samples available:

 

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Accounting Clerk job description FAQs

 

What makes a good Accounting Clerk job description?

A good Accounting Clerk job description begins with an overview of the company, including what the company does along with its values and ethics. An effective description details the day-to-day tasks of an Accounting Clerk, their fundamental duties and responsibilities, expected experience and educational qualifications.

 

What should you look for in an Accounting Clerk CV?

An Accounting Clerk CV should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to work with numbers and experience in an administrative or accounting role with data input. An ideal CV contains achievements in past roles, additional experience with accounting software and a list of qualifications or certifications with the corresponding grades.

 

Who does an Accounting Clerk report to?

An Accounting Clerk is often a part of a more comprehensive accounting department within a company. They usually report directly to an Accountant, Senior Accountant or a senior member of the finance or auditing team, depending on the company structure.

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