Online Bookkeeping Degree Program

What is a Degree or Certification in Bookkeeping?

Until the late twentieth century, businesses kept their accounts in books so that their records were always up-to-date, accurate and easy to access. Today, books have largely been replaced by computers, but the concepts are the same: bookkeepers ensure that costs, expenses, revenues and other transactions are faithfully recorded so that accurate financial statements can be produced and used by the company or organization for planning and reporting. A program in Bookkeeping generally leads to either a certificate or associate degree and prepares students for entry-level positions within companies as bookkeeping clerks, accounting clerks, auditing clerks or related workers. Subjects studied include accounting basics, database management and business math. Descriptions of sample careers are included below.

Bookkeeping Clerk

Bookkeeping clerks usually work for small organizations and are responsible for completing all tasks related to bookkeeping and financial records. They use computer software and ledgers to record profits, sales, debits, accounts payable and receivable, costs, taxes and any other positive or negative changes to account balances. Their records may be used by accountants and management personnel to analyze financial performance and make important decisions relating to budgets or forecasts. Bookkeeping clerks may also be responsible for making payments to banks and overseeing payroll expenses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, predicts that this career field will grow more slowly than most others in coming years, mostly because increased automation of many simple tasks is reducing the need for human labor. The median income for bookkeeping clerks in 2004 was $28,570 per year.

Accounting Clerk

Accounting clerks tend to work in larger organizations than bookkeeping clerks and are typically responsible for a more narrow range of tasks than bookkeepers. Some accounting clerks are employed with accounts receivable departments, for example, and keep records related to payments received from clients, customers and other parties. Other accounting clerks might work in accounts payable, where they record payments made to vendors, transportation providers, tax agencies and other organizations. All accounting clerks are responsible for verifying the accuracy and completeness of records, and senior clerks often compare statements against each other to determine consistency. This field, too, will experience lackluster growth in coming years. According to www.salary.com, entry-level accounting clerks can expect to earn between $25,000 and $33,000 per year.

Auditing Clerk

Auditing clerks are responsible for verifying and cross-referencing the records and statements produced by other workers. They examine ledgers and records kept by accounting clerks and other departments to determine that records are accurate, calculations are done properly and that there is no impropriety in the actions or expenditures of any individuals associated with the organization. When they encounter errors or inaccuracies, they note them and inform the appropriate employee or department responsible for correcting the mistake. According to www.payscale.com, these workers can expect to earn an hourly wage of between $13 and $17 per hour, depending on location.