FollowA student who wants to become an auditing clerk should be interesting in accounting and bookkeeping, because they will manage accurate financial records for companies. Auditing clerks typically use accounting information systems to review numbers, process documents and verify the accuracy of financial records.
Required Skills
Some companies only require a high school diploma, but most want candidates to have a two-year or four-year degree. Auditing clerks must have the ability to frequently change tasks during the day. This means they will use different techniques, procedures and degrees of attentiveness to accomplish their tasks. They may also be employed in different working conditions that have different levels of physical demands. This means that an auditing clerk who works in a hospital must have knowledge of insurance reimbursements, HMO, PPO, Medicaid and Medicare guidelines. However, an auditing clerk who works in a warehouse or production facility must be able to operate material handling equipment, such as order pickers, high bay turrets and double pallet riders.
Recommended Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that employers usually require auditing clerks to have some higher education related to accounting. The ideal education for an entry-level auditing clerk is a two-year degree in accounting. These programs will allow students to study key concepts and practical tools related to ledgers, financial statements and information systems. Classes on the basic principles of accounting will cover the fundamentals of financial accounting. Students will learn how to identify, measure and report on financial activities. Other covered topics include financial planning, controlling and decision-making. Other classes on accounting will teach students how to create accounting documents related to assets, payroll, liabilities, investments and cash flows. Studying business communication will train students how to professionally engage in group and interpersonal communications.
Advance Your Career
Auditing clerks should seek specialized careers that allow them to work in unique industries and perform advanced tasks. For example, an audit clerk with freight billing responsibilities will process invoices, perform data entry and send weekly reports to clients. Every week they will reconcile invoice aging, transportation and freight payment reports. They must maintain a working knowledge of logistics and transportation practices. Most freight billing clerks will use complex Excel spreadsheets, but more and more companies are adopting accounting information systems. An auditing clerk who works in an environment with inventory must conduct audits to confirm volumes and stock levels. They perform both physical and computer inventory counts every week. Their inventory reports, which often include notes on safety, quality and security issues, are submitted to senior management.
Obtain Certifications
Auditing clerks should pass the American Institute of Bookkeepers’ (AIPB) nationally recognized professional certification, which is called the Certified Bookkeeper Designation (CB). In order to qualify for the exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience related to finance, accounting and bookkeeping. Those who meet the minimum qualifications must pass the four-part exam that covers many challenging topics. Exam content covers payroll, inventory, depreciation, adjusting entries, error correction, internal controls and fraud prevention. The exam is broken down into two main sections. The first part may only be taken at a Prometric testing center, which are located nationwide, but the second part may be taken online at home.
Related Resource: Outsourced Accounting
In order to become an auditing clerk, candidates will need basic academic training and the right competencies.
