Accounting Clerk |
Career OverviewAn accounting clerk is responsible for most of the data entry and verification of ledgers with regards to various aspects of healthcare administration accounting. The accounting clerk may also be required to complete basic bookkeeping responsibilities, balance accounts, verify findings and double check and troubleshoot problems with balancing the various accounts and ledgers.
In addition in large facilities accounting clerks may specialize in one area such as invoicing, payroll, bookkeeping or other area of expertise. A senior or experienced accounting clerk may provide a supervisory or even managerial role and also may be required to verify or validate all accounts processed by junior or entry level accounting clerks.
An accounting clerk needs to have effective communication skills, be knowledgeable on all aspects of billing, invoicing, bookkeeping and accounting. In addition they should have a good eye for inconsistencies and excellent problem solving skills with regards to budgets and ledgers.
The accounting clerk should enjoy working in a team environment but should be able to work independently and without supervision. The accounting clerk should be familiar with the various accounting programs and should be comfortable working with data entry into the accounting programs used in the various healthcare facilities.
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Career RequirementsMost accounting clerks are required to have a high school diploma or equivalency and at least one-year experience in a healthcare related field in the accounting or bookkeeping area. In addition many agencies require a basic course in bookkeeping or accounting to be completed to be considered for an entry level position.
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Job OutlookThe demand for qualified and experienced accounting clerks will continue to increase through to at least 2014. With increasing hospital and clinical facilities being opened across the United States the demand for accounting clerks with healthcare experience will increase due to more positions being created plus the retirement of currently employed accounting clerks.
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Career TrackThere are opportunities for accounting clerks to move into supervisory positions within large accounting departments in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. This usually occurs after several years of work in the same agency.
In addition may accounting clerks decide to return to school to purse their Bachelor in Accounting or even a Masters in Business Administration in Accounting or Healthcare Management. There is also the possibility of an accounting clerk using some of their time worked in consideration when applying to a college or university or working towards their CPA.
Some accounting clerks work part-time in hospitals and other healthcare facilities while the attend school to complete their Bachelors or Masters degree.
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CompensationMost entry level accounting clerks can anticipate earning between $12.00 and $15.00 per hour. As supervisory responsibilities increase or the accounting clerk begins to specialize in one area it is often possible to earn between $18.00 and $22.00 per hour.
Additional education on bookkeeping or accounting practices will also add to the hourly salary. Accounting clerks with supervisory or unit management positions may also become salaried after they have completed a set number of years of employment.
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