An accounting assistant is a paraprofessional working on the main office of a company assisting the general accountant in the day-to-day work of the business. At one time, you could obtain this type of work with just a high school diploma and receive training on the job. Today, employers are looking for more highly trained assistants to work in their offices. The usual route to obtaining such a position is to follow the course of study leading to an Associate's degree, called an A.A.S.

The job of accounting assistant can include some or all of the following duties:

• Analyze financial data related to the company’s business
• Prepare statistical data that the accountant and managers can use in making budget decisions
• Post accounts receivable and payable
• Act as supervisor for clerks in the office
• Prepare monthly, quarterly or annual financial and /or tax reports
• Process transactions related to payroll
• Use spreadsheets to collect and display data
  

In order to carry out these tasks, you will need to be proficient in the use of the computer and accounting software. An ability to concentrate, good organizational skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an affinity for working with numbers are some of the personal characteristics required for working in this area of the accounting industry. As part of your college training for the job of accounting assistant, you will be required to take courses in accounting, basic business, tax law and career planning.

When you first get hired as an accounting assistant, you can expect to receive on-the job training from experienced personnel so that you become familiar with the practices and procedures of the office. You should be adept at using office equipment and you may receive training in the operation of some of this equipment if there are some with which you are not familiar. There are several levels through which you can advance in this position, especially if you work in a government office. Each level carries a new set of responsibilities and challenges.

Accounting assistants work in an office setting and work a standard forty-hour week. There is also the possibility of part0time employment in this type of work, if you want to ease back into the workforce after an absence or if you have other responsibilities that require you to be home for part of the day.

There are many employment opportunities for the position of accounting assistant. As older staff retire or move on to more advanced positions, employers are looking for recent graduates to join their office teams. However, as you gain more experience and decide that you would like to become an accountant, this Associate’s degree is not transferable to a university for courses leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. If this is your long-term goal, you should look at taking the courses in college that will give you the credentials you need to obtain the job and at the same time leave the door open should you want to upgrade your skills at some time in the future.

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