| Bookkeeping and accounting clerks are responsible | | | | positions may require an associate degree in |
| for maintaining and updating financial records. The | | | | business or accounting. Those who aspire to |
| scope of their actual duties varies according to | | | | higher-level positions in the financial realm may |
| the nature and size of the companies they work | | | | want to consider earning a bachelor's degree and |
| for. Some bookkeeping clerks, particularly those | | | | starting their careers in bookkeeping and |
| who work for small firms, are responsible for | | | | accounting clerk positions with the hope of |
| most or all of the financial record keeping of the | | | | eventually being promoted. Most bookkeeping and |
| company's accounts. Specific tasks may include | | | | accounting clerks receive some level of on-the-job |
| such things as posting debits and credits, | | | | training after being hired, often including specialized |
| producing financial statements, preparing reports | | | | topics such as specific computer software they |
| for management, handling payroll, and making | | | | need to use. |
| purchases. Larger companies often have | | | | Certification is sometimes required but always |
| accounting departments which employ accounting | | | | beneficial. The most widely-accepted credential in |
| clerks. Although these individuals perform very | | | | this field is the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) |
| similar functions as bookkeeping clerks, they | | | | designation which is granted by the American |
| typically have more specialized tasks and their job | | | | Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. In order to |
| titles (e.g., accounts receivable clerk, accounts | | | | earn this credential, a candidate is required to |
| payable clerk) reflect the specific kind of work | | | | have at least 2 years of bookkeeping experience |
| they do. | | | | and pass a four-part examination. Several colleges |
| Education, Certification, Licensing | | | | and universities offer preparatory training, some |
| The minimum educational criterion for entering this | | | | of it online, for those wishing to become certified. |
| field is a high school degree; however, some | | | | |