Get Started in Accounting and Finance as an Accounting Assistant

Accounting Assistant Career Advice from an Insider

If you have a natural talent for organization, an eye for numbers, and a keen sense of integrity, an accounting assistant career could be a smart choice for you. Have questions about how this job works in the real world? Get an insider’s perspective on how to structure a great accounting assistant career.

What Does an Accounting Assistant Do?

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is an accounting assistant?” you might be surprised at the diversity that this job entails. Jalyn Smith, who has worked as an accounting assistant for one year, explains that her job includes everything from assisting with payroll to handling accounts payable to processing expense reports. On a normal workday, Ms. Smith also reconciles bank statements and applies codes to report line items.

Many accounting assistant jobs require specialized skills, and Ms. Smith’s is no different. As she explains, she handles some higher-level payroll tasks such as “reconciling insurance bills and payroll deductions.” She also uses industry software like SAGE and Bill.com for accounts payable tasks.

Working as an accounting assistant can be a fast-paced position. During a typical workweek, Ms. Smith typically dedicates two days to collecting employee data from the previous week and then reviewing and posting the information to the relevant payroll application. The rest of the week involves gathering and reconciling data for check runs and expense report runs. For Ms. Smith, a typical workweek also includes “assisting our Finance Director with any projects that she may have.”

What Is an Accounting Assistant’s Work Environment Like?

Accounting assistants may work for very small or very large companies, and corporate environments can vary from location to location. Ms. Smith works a standard daytime shift, which lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. When her company completes check runs or takes on larger projects, she works longer hours or even weekends.

Like many accounting assistants, Ms. Smith doesn’t work directly with clients. As she explains, “I do work abreast with the accounting department to accomplish my assistant duties … [I also work] … with both the tax and assurance services departments for things such as ensuring accuracy when coding time worked and reimbursements of expense reports.”

How Do You Prepare for an Accounting Assistant Career?

The typical accounting assistant job description requires candidates to obtain a high school diploma and complete some postsecondary coursework. While most jobs in this field don’t require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, many employers prefer that job applicants have at least some experience with college-level accounting.

Accounting assistants often get much of their training on the job. Depending on the position and the industry, candidates may also need to complete professional courses to become familiar with specific software programs.

How Much Do Accounting Assistants Make?

Across the nation, accounting assistants have a median annual salary of $46,000. This salary can vary depending on location. For instance, the median annual salary for New York City accounting assistants is $55,000, while professionals in Charlotte, North Carolina, earn an average of $45,000 per year.

Industry also has a significant role in accounting assistants’ salaries. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accounting assistants who work in finance, insurance, or professional services earn salaries on the high end of the spectrum for this field. Those who work in retail trade typically have salaries on the low end of the spectrum.

What Are the Job Prospects for Accounting Assistants?

In the first quarter of the 21st century, the BLS projects that the job market for accounting assistants will grow smaller, with a total decline of 8 percent. Much of this negative change can be attributed to widespread changes in technology. For example, improvements in user-friendly accounting software and cloud computing applications will reduce the need for accounting assistants, especially those working full time.

Accounting assistants who want to stay ahead of the curve and give themselves a better chance of landing a job in this field should focus on excelling at relevant software programs and familiarizing themselves with the needs of small businesses. Professionals seeking part-time jobs may also have a higher chance of succeeding in this field.

How Can an Accounting Assistant Advance in This Field?

Since accounting assistants generally hold entry-level jobs, many make plans to advance to higher-paying positions. Ms. Smith, for example, takes evening classes and is on track to earn a degree in accounting and finance. Those who obtain bachelor’s or master’s degrees in accounting or finance may have the opportunity to move up in the accounting field.

Finding a supportive and knowledgeable mentor can also help accounting assistants advance their careers. As Ms. Smith explains, “My mentor encourages me to keep striving and to be patient, as well as keep me grounded when things may get stressful.”

Which Challenges Do Accounting Assistants Face?

As much as many accounting assistants enjoy their jobs, they still face challenges from time to time. According to Ms. Smith, “breaking the barriers of just being an ‘assistant’ and proving that you have what it takes to expand your workload and carry more responsibility” is a constant struggle. She overcomes these challenges by excelling at her jobs and always making herself available to take on new tasks and learn new skills.

What Do Accounting Assistants Love About Their Jobs?

Like many accounting assistants, Ms. Smith appreciates the range of knowledge she has acquired in her field as well as the growth opportunities she can access. The most rewarding part of her job is that she can assist the accounting department as well as the tax and assurance departments within her company.

As Ms. Smith states, she also appreciates that her primary role is to help those around her. She says, “I receive numerous calls about time, PTO, and various reports, and being able to assist in whatever questions they may have brings me joy.”

If you’re seeking an entry-level position that allows you to work in accounting, finance, tax, and assurance, an accounting assistant job could be just what you’re looking for. As Ms. Smith explains, “the things that you learn at the accounting assistant level will be beneficial and are necessities in future accounting positions.”

This article was originally published on CareerBuilder on 9/29/16

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About Dequiana Jackson

Dequiana Jackson, Founder of Inspired Marketing, Inc., helps overachieving women entrepreneurs conquer limiting beliefs and create marketing plans that grow their businesses. This includes one-on-one marketing plan development, digital product creation, web design and content marketing. Dequiana is the author of Know Your Business: How to Attract Ideal Clients & Sell More and runs the award-winning blog, Entrepreneur-Resources.net.

Check Also

Navigating Success: Tips for a Seamless Commercial Finance Funding Application Process

Securing the right capital is frequently a crucial first step toward development and sustainability in …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge