What is an Auditing Clerk?

auditing clerk

Naturally, a person who is thinking about becoming an auditing clerk wants to learn more about the occupation. For instance, the person will want to know the responsibilities of the job as well as the typical salary of an auditing clerk. Also, the individual may be curious about the work environment of these professionals. Read on to find out some specific details about the occupation of auditing clerk.

What is an Auditing Clerk?

The main responsibility of an auditing clerk is to check for accuracy in financial records of all kinds. This professional may review accounting records kept on traditional spreadsheets or check financial records stored in a database. Depending on what type of business it is, the person may check dozens of pages filled with records or just a few rows of figures. If a clerk finds a major inaccuracy, he or she must meet with the accountant or other professional responsible for entering the data to solve the problem. Oftentimes, clerks find an inaccuracy in the form of a transposed digit. This is a minor error that the clerk can correct on his or her own. It’s a clerk’s duty to see that all of the numbers match up with the final totals.

Qualities of a Successful Auditing Clerk

In order to be successful in auditing work a person must be able to focus on details. After all, one inaccuracy on a financial document affects the final total. Inaccurate financial records can result in penalty fees or even get the company’s owner in trouble with the authorities. An auditing clerk must be familiar with computer programs that organize and keep track of financial documents. Also, this professional should have excellent communication skills. If there is an issue with a document, a clerk must be able to explain the problem in a clear, succinct way. Persistence is another quality that lends to the success of an auditing clerk. The person must be dedicated to figuring out how an inaccuracy occurred and find a solution to the problem.

The Work Environment of Auditing Clerks

Most companies and businesses have financial documents so auditing clerks are found in a variety of industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For instance, a clerk in charge of auditing can work for a small business. Whether a business is small or large, it must have accurate financial records in order to keep track of inventory, profits and losses. Auditing clerks work for charitable organizations. It’s important for any charitable organization to keep accurate financial records to maintain its good reputation. Auditing clerks also work in schools, libraries and medical offices.

Typical Salary of an Auditing Clerk

There are several things that affect the salary of a clerk. A clerk who works for a large corporation is likely to make a higher salary than someone who works for a small business. Also, some clerks work full-time while others only work a few hours a week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median yearly salary of an auditing clerk as $45,560.

Conclusion

Finally, someone interested in this career should prepare by taking some college courses in accounting. Individuals who enjoy working with numbers and find satisfaction in reviewing financial records may want to consider a career as an auditing clerk.

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