When you want to start off in an accounting career with many possibilities of advancement, you should take a look at the job of accounting clerk in government accounting. This can be with either the state or federal government as the qualifications and type of tasks are very similar at all levels of government. This role is one of routine bookkeeping tasks and clerical work to ensure that the office in which you work operates in an efficient manner.
The educational qualifications needed for a job as an accounting clerk in government accounting are mainly graduation from high school. However, you will greatly increase your chances of obtaining this type of job if you have a bookkeeping course or an accounting course from a technical or vocational college. These post-secondary institutions have several one and two year programs that will equip you with the skills you need for such a job. You will receive the training you need in the specific office procedures on the job.
When you first get hired as an accounting clerk in government accounting, the routine tasks you will perform include:
- The posting of documents to various ledgers depending on the nature of the government agency. For example, if you work with a medical agency, you will post documents that relate to medicare.
- The examination of expense accounts to ensure that they are complete and the calculations are correct
- The preparation of financial statements that are simple in nature
- The typing of forms, such as daily revenue transactions and expense vouchers
- The preparation of bank deposits and cash receipts
You will be evaluated in the performance of your duties as accounting clerk in government accounting at the entry-level. If your performance is satisfactory and as openings occur, you can advance to a higher level of work with more advanced bookkeeping duties. You will examine invoices to ensure they comply with government policy and compare them to the order for the supplies or services. You will prepare and maintain records regarding acquisitions to have records of the cost and other information related to the acquisitions. Complex billing issues will also be one of the responsibility as well as being involved in payroll duties.
For both these types of accounting clerk jobs in government accounting, you do need to have knowledge of accounting principles and practices, as well as in-depth knowledge of the office procedures. You should be able to multi-task, have good organizational skills and be able to prioritize your tasks so that the most important ones are completed first. The ability to perform mathematical computations very quickly either manually or by using the computer or an adding machine is essential. You should be adept at keyboarding and in using accounting software to assist you in your duties. You can obtain certification as a bookkeeper to perfect and enhance your skills. You may have an avid interest in accounting and this job may inspire you to take university courses leading to a degree in accounting.
