Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Writing an Accounting Clerk Resume


If you are looking for an accounting clerk job, you'll want to create a resume that will catch the employer's eye. The most important parts of a resume that you'll want to focus on are the job skills you possess, work history, education, and references. These are the four parts of a resume that the employer wants to know, apart from your name and ideal job title.

First choose a template that can be uploaded from any browser or computer. You'll want a template that is user-friendly and easily readable, free from formatting issues. Have your friends test the template by opening it up on their computers and relaying any problems they notice. Once you've settled on a template, you can begin plugging in your data. Use bullet points to make the resume more readable.

You can choose to add an objective if you think it's necessary. Some employers hate it, while others say it helps them go through stacks of resume a lot faster when it is clear exactly what the candidate is looking for. If you use the objective, be sure you are very specific about what you are looking for, and not just 'a stable job.' An example of an objective is: "Experienced office professional looking for a position as an executive administrative assistant."

Now you can focus on the skills you want front and center. Read over the job description of an accounting clerk to get an idea of what skills the employer is looking for. Accounting clerks are responsible for typing correspondence, documents, reports, and records. They also research, track, and resolve accounting or documentation problems and discrepancies. In addition to this, the clerk updates and maintains accounting journals and other records detailing financial business transactions, such as disbursements, expense vouchers, receipts, and accounts payable. They then compile this data and prepare a variety of reports. They monitor loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date. More advanced accounting clerks may total, balance, and reconcile billing vouchers, ensure the completeness and accuracy of data on accounts, and code documents according to company procedures. Clerks ensure account reconciliations are correct and completed on time. They also verify the amounts on account payable checks and investigate questionable data.

You can pull your skills from these descriptions if you are confident you have plenty of experience performing these tasks. Next you'll want to add your work history. Many account clerks work in office settings and others are employed in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores and work longer hours during holidays and vacation seasons. Add every job you have had in the last ten years, placing special emphasis on jobs that were in the accounting arena. With these jobs, you'll want to pay close attention to the description of duties you write out for each.

With all of the jobs you've had included, you'll need to turn to education and references. These are brief sections, obviously, because they don't require a lot of information. Add any certifications, licenses, or awards you have received. You may choose to add professional associations you are affiliated with if you wish.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Where to find Accounting Jobs?


If you are looking for an accounting job, it's very likely to assume that most companies are employing these types of workers. Every company needs someone to work in accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general accounting.

This important department keeps track of the company's money. Their reporting is what managers look at when determining how well the company is doing, what debts are, and what kind of profits are to be expected in the coming months and years. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. It plays an important role in the price of stock if the company is public, what kind of purchases the company makes, and if the company gets the go-ahead to secure a merger or acquisition.

There are four main types of accountants. Public accountants work for public accounting companies and do auditing, tax, and consulting duties. They also work at independent businesses outside of the company. Management accountants keep track of the money spent and the debts created by the company. Internal auditors ensure the company is utilizing its money according to rules and regulations. They work to detect fraud and embezzlement. Government accountants and auditors ensure that government accounting records are accurate. They also check the records of people who do business with the government. Forensic accountants specialize in investigating white-collar crimes like embezzlement and securities fraud

The job of the accountant varies depending on their specialty. They analyze, disseminate, and communicate financial information for companies, individual clients, and federal, state, and local governments. They also prepare, analyze, and verify financial documents and also perform duties such as financial and investment planning, budget analysis, and legal services related to finances.

Accounting clerks research, track, and resolve accounting or documentation problems and discrepancies. They update and maintain accounting journals and other records detailing financial business transactions, such as disbursements, expense vouchers, receipts, and accounts payable. They then compile this data and prepare a variety of reports. They must always be  verifying numbers and accounting functions and ensuring account reconciliations are accurate.

All of these jobs can be found within most companies, both large and small. Accountants in the private sector work in private offices. This may be in a manufacturing, service or merchandising business, or in the offices of a non-profit organization or bank. Public accountants work in the office of their clients. They also have offices within their accounting firm. Still many work from home.

Government accountants work from the offices of state and local agencies. IRS auditors travel a lot and work within the offices of their auditing subjects.

According to the Labor Department, the median annual salary for an accountant was $61,690 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent earned roughly $106,880, while the lowest-paid made approximately $38,940. The outlook for these jobs is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15.7 percent growth for accountants between 2010 and 2020, which is much faster than the average growth for most other professions.

Most of these professions require a bachelor's degree and an even more advanced degree. It's important to check on the requirements of each position before applying for accounting jobs.