Accounts clerks work in a variety of business settings and are responsible for preparing accounts and keeping financial records. Duties vary according to the size of the company and may require carrying out a broad range of accounting and cash-handling tasks or, in the case of larger firms, specialising in one particular area, such as payroll or purchase ledger
Key responsibilities include processing payments, receipts and invoices, balancing accounts, completing VAT returns, preparing company statements, and providing general administrative support. There may also be payroll duties, which will require preparing wages and dealing with expense claims, and some positions may involve helping out with profit-and-loss accounts
Entry requirements depend on the individual employer. Candidates can often gain employment by having good GCSE grades, especially in maths, along with previous administrative experience. A-levels or AS-levels in accounting will increase chances of finding work, as will certificates in book-keeping, such as the City & Guilds Levels 1 and 2 in Book-keeping and Accounts.
Hours may be full- or part-time and it is possible to branch out into self-employment. Salaries are between £12,000 and £16,000, rising to £22,000 with experience.