An entry-level accounting clerk handling daily transaction processing and recordkeeping — posting invoices, entering payments, maintaining files, and supporting the accounting team's day-to-day operations. The bottom rung of accounting careers with broad practical exposure.
Most days tend to involve routine transaction entry, file maintenance, basic reconciliation prep work, and supporting senior accounting staff. You'll often process AP and AR transactions, enter routine journal entries, scan and file documents, and respond to internal requests. Direct supervision and feedback are typical at this level.
The variance between employers depends on size and process maturity — a small business may have one clerk handling everything from AP to AR to bank reconciliations; a mid-sized company splits work across specialized clerks; a larger company automates much of the routine entry work via ERP or AP automation. Software training happens on the job for most clerks.
People who tend to thrive here are organized, detail-oriented, and willing to start at the bottom of a stable profession. Continued study toward CPA, an accounting degree, or specific certifications opens the door to higher-paying roles. The trade-off is entry-level pay and limited scope — but the role offers a low-friction entry point with clear progression for those who keep building.
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Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
An entry-level accounting clerk handling daily transaction processing and recordkeeping — posting invoices, entering payments, maintaining files, and supporting the accounting team's day-to-day operations. The bottom rung of accounting careers with broad practical exposure.
Median pay for a Junior Accounting Clerk is about $49K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $35K to $73K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Writing.
Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.
Employment in this field is projected to decline about 5.8% through 2034, with roughly 1.5 million people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Accounting Clerk, Document Processor, and Credit Card Clerk.
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