Accounting Assistant Job Description
Accounting Assistants support Accountants with administrative and clerical tasks. Learn more about what exactly Accounting Assistants do in this detailed guide.
What is an Accounting Assistant?
This entry-level job offers a chance to get experience with the basics of the field. Since you’ll be handling basic accounting and assisting the accounting staff, precision is important in this role.The primary Accounting Assistant responsibility is to support the staff accountants in their duties producing financial documents for the organization.
In addition to reporting to an employer, Accounting Assistants should be prepared for government oversight of their team’s work, particularly during audits and tax season. Their exact duties depend on the employer, but an Accounting Assistant reports to a supervisor—likely a staff accountant or accounting manager.
Education Requirements
- High school diploma
- Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred
- Certifications like Certified Bookkeeper or Certified Public Bookkeeper a plus
- Must be able to type and perform data entry
Accounting Assistant Essential Skills
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Knowledge of spreadsheets and bookkeeping software
- Math skills to handle financial data
- Integrity and confidentiality
- Flexibility during tax time and audits
Accounting Assistant Roles & Responsibilities
- Process payments and documents such as invoices, employee reimbursements, and financial statements
- Track expenses and evaluating budgets
- Post financial data to accounts
- Participate in monthly, quarterly, and annual audits
- Handle communication between the organization and clients
- Maintain and improve the organization’s bookkeeping process
- Prepare reports and projections based on financial data
Day-to-Day Duties
- Evaluate current and previous financial data
- Study business and economic trends
- Gather information
- Assemble spreadsheets
- Reconcile invoices and identify discrepancies
- Draft and edit financial presentations
- Perform basic office tasks like filing, data entry, and mail processing
- Conduct basic bookkeeping and administrative tasks