Get started in finance with an entry-level accounting job.
An accounting career might appeal to you if you have an interest in finance and business processes, as well as analytical and organizational skills. With the right experience, education, and certifications, you may qualify for an entry-level job in this field.
Entry-level accounting jobs vary in terms of responsibility, salary, and qualifications. Some only require a high school diploma and a strong willingness to learn. Employers could also be seeking candidates with associate degrees or previous professional experience. In general, professionals in entry-level accounting jobs are likely to report to more senior accountants or auditors. This underscores the opportunities for growth within this career.
Continue reading to review the accounting field, discover entry-level accounting jobs, and start your accounting career path.
Accounting involves preparing and examining financial documents for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. This demands an understanding of finance-related laws and regulations. Accountants help business owners and executives analyze and assess risk to identify areas of concern.
Accounting work might also focus on ensuring taxes are paid fully and on time. This means keeping accurate financial records and computing tax burdens. Accountants are also responsible for preparing and submitting the necessary documents to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other governmental agencies.听
Some accountants consult with executives and leaders by suggesting solutions and methods to improve a company鈥檚 financial health. Understanding best practices and gaining experience within the finance industry can enable you to advance in this field.
You can expect to start your accounting career with an entry-level position, such as a staff accountant or bookkeeper. These roles allow you to gain experience, which may allow you to move up the accounting hierarchy, later securing jobs such as senior accountant, accounting manager, or controller.听
As you research the field of accounting, be sure to explore different entry-level roles you might qualify for. Doing so can help you clarify your career goals and prioritize which skills you need to build.
Here, we explore five entry-level accounting jobs you might come across in a job search.
Average annual salary (US): $48,800 []
Also known as an accounting clerk, an accounting assistant may work directly under an accountant to help complete daily tasks. Some responsibilities may include:
Enter information about receipts or expenses into computer databases.
Check financial records for accuracy.
Assist with payments and outgoing checks.
Prepare invoices.
Maintain and file financial documents.
Average annual salary (US): $72,876 []
Audit assistants usually work directly with auditors to ensure documents are mathematically correct and properly coded. You鈥檒l have to check figures and postings to analyze and compare with real-world documents, searching for transcription errors and larger discrepancies that a company鈥檚 executives must address. You may also assist in preparing reports to ensure compliance with tax laws.
Average annual salary (US): $65,812 []
Also known as an accountant intern, a trainee accountant works directly under a more experienced account professional. Depending on the organization you鈥檙e working for, your responsibilities may include:
Managing invoices
Learning technical knowledge of accounts, bookkeeping, taxes, and auditing
Organizing data regarding income and expense聽
Overseeing individual accounts
Performing administrative tasks, such as asset inventory and payroll
Verifying the accuracy of accounts and financial documents
While a trainee accountant is still considered entry-level, you鈥檒l generally be more competitive during interviews if you have completed an associate degree. Earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree is a good idea if you want to become an accountant.听
You could also become a certified public accountant after gaining sufficient on-the-job training. Each state board has different requirements to become a CPA, although many demand a bachelor鈥檚 degree or other post-secondary education.
Average annual salary (US): $52,071 []
Finance assistants play an essential role in a company鈥檚 financial decision-making process. You鈥檇 help create budgets, analyze investments, and contribute to business strategies as part of a financial team. You would use data, metrics, historical trends, and current fiscal events that can influence predictions for future planning. You may also be responsible for basic accounting tasks.
Average annual salary (US): $43,958 []
A bookkeeping clerk is another common entry-level accounting job. You make entries in a company鈥檚 general ledger, which is the record of transactions, debits, and credits throughout the year. You'll produce financial statements and other reports as a bookkeeping clerk while handling bank deposits, payroll, and other critical business transactions.
Intuit offers a course on Bookkeeping Basics on 糖心vlog官网观看, which you can use to help prepare for this role.听
If you're ready to launch a career in accounting, follow the steps below to lay a solid foundation.
While some entry-level financial positions require only a high school diploma, employers often prefer candidates with additional education. This may mean taking some college-level accounting or online courses demonstrating an interest in finance.听
The University of Pennsylvania offers an Introduction to Financial Accounting course on 糖心vlog官网观看, which can help you build a foundation of core business skills. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers the Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization on 糖心vlog官网观看, during which you can learn about financial statements and associated principles.
You can also work toward an associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting, business, or another finance-related field. If you wish to pursue a degree, you may be able to do it while also working in an entry-level position, especially a flexible online degree program, such as a Bachelor of Science in General Business offered by the University of North Texas.
Certifications and Professional Certificates, such as post-secondary educational degrees, demonstrate to employers that you are serious about accounting and committed to the team's success. A Professional Certificate can help you position yourself competitively for entry-level finance jobs and usually costs less and takes less time to complete than a degree.
Intuit offers a on 糖心vlog官网观看, which teaches skills including:
Foundational knowledge of bookkeeping concepts and accounting
Knowledge of accounting cycles and producing financial statements
Ability to analyze and interpret financial documents used in business decisions
Knowledge of general accounting skills and accounting measurements聽
To gain experience in accounting, consider volunteer opportunities, short-term contract work, entry-level jobs with on-the-job training opportunities, or an internship. The average salary of a paid accounting intern in the US is $48,773 a year, according to Glassdoor []. An unpaid internship can sometimes lead to full-time work either with the same company or another business looking for a candidate with on-the-job experience.
As an intern, you may be responsible for assisting accountants with tasks, including computing taxes and preparing tax returns, organizing financial records, and maintaining all financial statements.听
Improve your employability by gaining skills that demonstrate your familiarity with the latest accounting practices, technology, strategies, principles, concepts, and industry trends. Review current job listings in accounting to find out which skills are required for entry-level jobs and which skills will help you advance your career.听聽
Start networking with professionals you have a relationship with to begin your entry-level accounting job search. Networking can mean attending in-person social events organized by your local chamber of commerce, or you could network online through sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.听
To get your first professional accounting position, take some time to update your resume, list of professional references, and cover letter template. List any online courses you鈥檝e taken, other applicable training or experience, and keywords that show you know what to expect in the position.
When applying for entry-level positions, include workplace skills such as attention to detail and high integrity, as well as technical skills such as computer and math skills.听
Review current listings for jobs in accounting in your chosen field or industry and begin applying for jobs that align with your career goals. Be sure to research each employer's 鈥淎bout Us鈥 section on its website, along with the expectations of the position. If you agree with its values and mission, you're more likely to enjoy the work and be better prepared to assist the company in a finance-related role.听聽聽
The accounting field is one where you can start in an entry-level position and advance to better-paying jobs with more responsibility. To take the first step, you鈥檒l want to learn the basics of accounting and finance.听
Prepare for a career in bookkeeping by completing the Tally Bookkeeper Professional Certificate. In this three-course program, you鈥檒l learn how to explain and apply fundamentals of accounting, manage accounts receivable and payable, and explain and apply statutory taxation concepts.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/accounting-assistant-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm.鈥 Accessed February 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. 鈥 , https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/assistant-auditor-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm.鈥 Accessed February 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/accountant-trainee-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm.鈥 Accessed February 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/finance-assistant-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm.鈥 Accessed February 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. ", https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/bookkeeping-clerk-career_KO0,17.htm." Accessed February 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/accounting-intern-salary.鈥 Accessed February 26, 2025.
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