Should I Consider Becoming an Auditing Clerk?
Mar 8, 2015 | 12:00 pm
You are thinking about becoming an auditing clerk, but what does an auditing clerk do? There are a couple questions you should ask yourself. Do you like overseeing the work of others? Are you good with numbers and capable of deep concentration? Can you analyze and translate massive amounts of data all the while speaking in simple human terms? If this sounds like it is right up your alley then you may be the right person for the job.
BLS Overview
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, auditing clerk positions are expected to grow at 11% from 2012 to 2022 with a median salary around $35,000 annually. At the very least, you will need a bachelor’s degree with solid skills in mathematics, computer and knowledge of bookkeeping and software applications. Many bookkeeping and auditing clerks will learn much of their skills while on the job.
In part, auditing clerks produce and record financial data, record daily transactions, keep statements up to date and check for accuracy.
The Big 4
If you attend college and have enhanced skills, you may be able to land a job with one of the “Big 4,” which will give you exposure to Fortune 500 companies and give you an opportunity to travel to other companies, who will contract you to audit their finances. If you are looking to gain vast experience and exposure, you cannot miss working for one or more of the major firms; specifically, Deloitte, PwC, Ernest & Young, and KPMG.
Depending on how far you go in college, you can choose to specialize in different types of auditing. When you are auditing, you must be able to analyze detailed amounts of financial information and check every detail for accuracy or inaccuracy. You also have to follow government rules and regulations regarding financial and tax information in order to stop orders that may not be in compliance. This might come into play with payroll deductions, taxes or money missing that there may be no record of in the books.
College Counts
Although getting started as an audit clerk can be done with a high school diploma, it is recommended that you attend college and pursue a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree. This will not only equip you with invaluable tools, but also impact your financial freedom as a whole.
Along with accounting skills, there is a solid sense of analytical skills that are needed. Patience is a must due to long hours of sitting and looking at numerical data for hours in a day.
With an associate’s degree, you will gain the fundamentals of accounting and computer software skills that will help you in your endeavor. You will also learn the terminology and how to translate financial information, which you will need to communicate to the client.
If you choose to go on and earn a bachelor’s degree, you will attain enhanced skills to be able to come up with better strategies to better the company’s bottom line. Do your research on the schools available and get ready to advance quickly in this rewarding career.