Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
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.
Also called: Account Administrator, Account Clerk, Account Information Clerk, Account Receivable Clerk, Accountant Assistant, Accountant Clerk
Median pay
$50,670
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,000 – $74,550
People employed
1,373,680
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks salary in every state →
What bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks do
- 01Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- 02Prepare and process payroll information.
- 03Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- 04Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
- 05Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- 06Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
Skills that matter most
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
- Brokerage Clerks93% · +30%
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks90% · −1%
- Office Clerks, General90% · −11%
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks89% · −3%
- Tax Preparers89% · +8%
Change into bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Tax Preparers95% · $54,920
- Correspondence Clerks91% · $46,800
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks87% · $49,230
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks87% · $50,020
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents87% · $62,370
Majors that lead here
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.