MENU SCROLL

CHILDRENS HEALTH

Become an Accountant

Job Descriptions

Accounts clerk Job & Book-keeper

The work

Accounts/finance clerks, also known as book-keepers, record financial transactions. In a large organisation they work in a finance office with other staff, perhaps supporting senior finance professionals.

Their duties could include:

calculating the cost of a new product or service
completing VAT returns and preparing accounts for Inland Revenue
keeping records of payments,invoices, receipts and debit/credit notes
checking bank statements against records
preparing cash-flow statements
calculating wages and national insurance contributions
dealing with enquiries on the phone and by letter
filing paperwork.
Most organisations now have computerised systems and accounts clerks will probably need to use a range of software packages including databases and spreadsheets.

Hours and Environment
Most accounts clerks work 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may need to work extra hours at busy times.

There are opportunities for part-time work and job sharing. Temporary work is often available.

Skills and Interests
To be an accounts clerk you need:

numeracy
to be able to work quickly and accurately
good concentration and attention to detail
a logical, methodical approach
an interest in business and finance
the ability to work to strict deadlines
to be able to work unsupervised
to be honest, discreet and trustworthy.

Entry
There are no minimum entry requirements but employers often ask for GCSEs (A-C)/ S grades (1-3) or equivalent in maths and English. Computer skills are also useful.

For details of qualification equivalents see:

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Scottish Qualifications Authority
A number of useful qualifications are available. These include:

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) offers a number of qualifications including NVQ/SVQs in accounting at levels 2, 3, and 4. There are no minimum entry requirements. The AAT Bookkeeping Certificate (ABC) is also available. The AAT also offers a range of specialist qualifications including the NVQ/SVQ in Audit (Internal), the NVQ/SVQ in Payroll Administration and the AAT Diploma in Government Finance. After successfully completing any of AATs qualifications, except ABC, students automatically become AAT Affiliates and can progress to Membership.
International Association of Book-Keepers (IAB) offers a range of examinations at various levels. After passing certain IAB exams you can apply for IAB membership.
LCCI Practical Book-keeper (first level), Book-keeper (first level) and Book-keeping and Accounts (second level).
OCR Practical Book-keeping (stage I-II) Book-keeping (stage I) and Computerised Accounting (stage I-II).
SQA National Units in Accounting at Intermediate 1 level.
Pitman qualifications in Book-keeping and Accounts, Computerised Accounts and Accounting.

Training
You might start work as a junior in the accounts or wages department of a large organisation on general procedures. This may include computer software packages used by employers. You would train on the job, supervised by senior staff. You could attend in-house training courses, day release or evening classes, or work for qualifications via distance learning.

Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24.
For details see: MAPPs (England); Skillseekers MAPPs (Scotland); National Traineeships MAPPs (Wales); and MAPPs (Northern Ireland).

Opportunities
Accounts clerks work for a variety of organisations, including local authorities, commerce, industry, health care providers and voluntary organisations.

There are opportunities for self-employment.

With more training finance clerks could move into payroll administration or accountancy.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Starting salary is around £10,000 per year.
With skills and experience, earnings rise to around £15,000.
A senior book-keeper can earn up to £19,000.

Further information
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
154 Clerkenwell Rd
London
EC1R 5AD
Tel: 020 7837 8600
www.aat.co.uk

International Association of Book-Keepers (IAB)
Burford House
44 London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1AS
Tel: 01732 458080
www.iab.org.uk

LCCI Examinations Board
Athena House
112 Station Road
Sidcup
Kent
DA15 7BJ
Tel: 020 8302 0261
www.lccieb.com

OCR Information Bureau
Westwood Way
Coventry
West Midlands
CV4 8JQ
Tel: 024 7647 0033
www.ocr.org.uk

Pitman Qualifications
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 020 7294 3500
www.pitmanqualifications.com

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Hanover House
24 Douglas Street
Glasgow
G2 7NQ
Tel: 0141 242 2214
www.sqa.org.uk

The accountancy profession carries a wide and varied selection of different job roles. Here are some examples of related job positions in the accountancy sector:

• Analyst
• Auditor
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Director
• Finance Manager
• Financial Controller
• Forensic Accountant
• Interim Manager
• Life Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Practice Manager
• Practice Partner
• Project Accountant
• Syndicate Accountant
• Systems Accountant
• Tax Accountant
• Trust Accountant
• Accounts Admin
• Assistant Accountant
• Credit Controller
• Graduate Trainee
• Ledger Clerk
• Legal Cashier
• Part Qualified
• Accounts Payroller
• Practice Accountant.

Information supplied by Redgoldfish.co.uk

Business of the MONTH

Guitar_Tricks_Logo

Getting started learning guitar can be frustrating - real frustrating.

At Guitar Tricks we have been teaching online guitar lessons for 12 years.

MORE INFORMATION

ADVERTISE WITH US

FREE adverts to as little as £9 per month you could be exposing your business to 1000's more local people......CONTACT US for more details