• Occupation Overview
• Future Growth Opportunities
• Job Description

II. Job Requirements/Prerequisites:

• Skill Requirements
• Experience Prerequisites
• Education/Training Required

• Bay Area Education/Training Resources

IV. Getting A Job:

• Employers Who Are/Will Be Hiring
• Recommended Job Search Strategy

V. Back To Career Guide Home Page

Skill Requirements

Intellectual - Basic

• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  
• Strong ability to concentrate.
  
• Attention to detail.
  
• Accuracy.
  
• Legible handwriting.
  

Intellectual - Specialized

• Mathematical ability.
  
• Excellent computer skills.
  
• Familiarity with the latest versions of financial software such as QuickBooks.
  
• Familiarity with the relevant spreadsheet or database software program.

Social

• Able to work with others.
  
• Able to work independently.
  
• Able to work under close supervision.
  

Physical

• Able to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Skill Maintenance Requirement
Moderate. If one remains in the same job, they will need to learn new versions of software programs as they come out, and occasionally learn to use a new computer software program. However, if they advance in their career or move to other companies, new processes and software will be learned at each new job.

Remaining current is often accomplished by taking short courses or experimenting with new tools on ones own.

Experience Prerequisites

A job as an Accounting Clerk can often be found with little or no job experience as long as one is familiar with the computer software (Excel, QuickBooks, etc.) needed for that job.

High school work-study programs provide good opportunities to gain experience and see if one finds the work appealing.

Education/Training Required

Most accounting occupations can be classified as being either a "professional" or "clerking" job. The "professional" jobs (like Accountant, Tax Preparer and Auditor) typically required a bachelor's degree in accounting. The "clerking" positions, which are described here, do not.

A high school diploma or GED is required and some employers require relevant junior college coursework. Few companies are willing to train on basic computer skills, so this must be obtained before the job search begins on ones own or through training offered by community colleges or city recreation departments.

Preference will be given to those who have had courses in areas like business math, typing, computer programs like QuickBooks, and bookkeeping.

The next section in this career guide ("Bay Area Education/Training Resources") provides detailed information on some of the training programs available for Accounting Clerks.