Executive Summary
A generic accounting clerk job description will fail because it attracts unqualified candidates. Unfortunately, most companies use the same template regardless of industry. As a result, hiring managers waste weeks screening resumes from people who lack essential industry knowledge.
This guide details what makes each industry’s accounting clerk role unique. We cover eight sectors where knowledge matters most: automotive dealerships, hospitality, law firms, healthcare, government, construction, manufacturing, and technology.
Each industry section explains the specific software, compliance requirements, and daily responsibilities you should include in your job description. For example, automotive dealerships need clerks who understand floorplan financing and DMS systems. Meanwhile, law firms require trust accounting expertise that simply doesn’t exist in other fields.
Indeed, the differences run deep. A hospital accounting clerk job description should mention medical coding knowledge and HIPAA compliance. In contrast, a construction accounting clerk job description should emphasize job costing and progress billing. These aren’t interchangeable skills that candidates can learn quickly.
By tailoring your accounting clerk job description responsibilities to your industry, you accomplish three goals. First, you filter out unqualified applicants before they waste your time. For another, you attract specialists who actively search for industry roles. As a third benefit, you reduce onboarding time from months to weeks by hiring someone who already knows your systems.
The following sections provide detailed guidance for each industry. Use this information to craft a job description that speaks directly to qualified candidates in your field.
Table of Contents
- What Every Accounting Clerk Job Description Needs
- Industry-specific Accounting Clerk Job Requirements
- Conclusion: Industry Expertise Accelerates Hiring Success
Categories
- Accounting & Finance
- Accounting Staffing Agency
- AI Recruiting
- AI Technology
- Android Developer
- Bookkeping services
- Cash Application Staff
- Data Analyst Staffing Agency
- Finance Recruitment Agency
- Find a job
- Full Stack Developer
- Hire Talent
- Hire Data Analyst
- IT Staff Augmentation
- IT Staffing
- Permanent Recruitment Vs. Temporary Staffing
- Sage Business Cloud Accounting
- Salesforce Recruitment Agency
- Salesforce Staffing
- Tech Recruiter
- Workday Accounting Staff
- Accounts Receivable
Most companies post the same generic accounting clerk job
description. As a result, they receive hundreds of resumes from
unqualified candidates. The problem isn’t the volume of applicants.
Rather, it’s the lack of industry-specific requirements that would
attract the right talent.
A well-crafted job description for accounting clerk positions should
reflect your industry’s unique needs. For instance, an automotive
accounting clerk job description requires different skills than a
hospital accounting clerk job description. Without these distinctions,
you’ll spend weeks screening candidates who don’t understand your
business.
Specifically, this guide covers eight industries where accounting
clerk roles demand specialized knowledge. We’ll explore what makes each
accounting clerk job description responsibilities list unique. More
importantly, you’ll learn which software, compliance requirements, and
daily tasks separate qualified candidates from those who’ll need months
of training.
What Every Accounting Clerk Job Description Needs
To begin, before diving into industry specifics, let’s establish the
baseline. Regardless of sector, however, every job description of
accounting clerk positions should include these core requirements.
Universal Skills and Qualifications
First and foremost, strong numerical accuracy tops the list of
essential skills. In practice, accounting errors compound quickly,
making attention to detail non-negotiable. Additionally, candidates need
basic accounting principles like understanding debits, credits, and
reconciliation processes.
In addition, proficiency in Microsoft Office comes next, particularly
Excel. For instance, functions like pivot tables and VLOOKUP appear in
daily work. Furthermore, organizational skills matter when managing
multiple invoices and deadlines simultaneously. Finally, professional
communication enables effective interaction with vendors and internal
teams.
Salary Expectations and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, accounting clerks earned a median annual
salary of $49,210 in May 2024. On the lower end, entry-level positions
start around $34,600, while experienced clerks can earn up to
$72,660.
Looking ahead, the BLS projects a 6% decline in these positions
through 2034 due to automation. Nevertheless, they still anticipate
about 170,000 annual openings as workers retire or transfer to other
roles. Specialized industry knowledge commands premium compensation,
particularly in healthcare, legal, and technology sectors.
Now let’s examine what distinguishes an accounting clerk job
description across different industries.
Â
Â
Industry-specific Accounting Clerk Job Requirements
Automotive Accounting Clerk Job Description: Dealership-Specific Requirements
Automotive dealerships operate in a unique financial ecosystem. As
such, your automotive accounting clerk job description must reflect
manufacturer relationships, floorplan financing, and vehicle-specific
transactions that don’t exist elsewhere.
Required Software Knowledge
To begin with, Dealership Management Systems (DMS) are
non-negotiable. The two dominant platforms are Reynolds & Reynolds
and CDK Global. By comparison, unlike QuickBooks or general accounting
software, these systems integrate sales, service, parts, and accounting
functions.
Ideally, your job description should specify experience with your DMS
platform. Alternatively, emphasize the ability to learn
dealership-specific software quickly. Training on these complex systems
takes several months.
Daily Responsibilities in Dealership Accounting
On a daily basis, automotive accounting clerks handle unique
transactions. They process dealer trades when dealerships swap vehicles
to meet customer needs. These transactions require documentation and
accounting treatment.
They pull manufacturer vehicle invoices from brand portals like Ford,
Toyota, or GM. Then they properly stock new vehicles into inventory.
Third, they manage floorplan loan advances when vehicles arrive and
payoffs when they sell. This requiredly functions as revolving credit
for inventory.
Additionally, clerks track vehicle holdback receivables. These are
manufacturer incentives that aren’t paid until vehicles sell. They also
coordinate with title clerks for DMV compliance and documentation.
Finally, they record loaner fees and track loaner inventory separately
from sales inventory.
Ideal Candidate Profile
1-2 years of automotive dealership experience (more important
than degree)Understanding new versus used vehicle deal structures
Familiarity with flat rate labor accounting for service
departmentsValid driver’s license (may need to move vehicles)
Experience with dealer trade documentation
Red Flags:
Only retail experience with no dealership exposure
Unfamiliarity with inventory-heavy accounting
No understanding of vendor versus manufacturer
relationships
Hotel Accounting Clerk Job Description: Managing Multiple Revenue Streams
Hotel accounting differs fundamentally from other industries. Revenue
flows from numerous sources simultaneously, including rooms, food and
beverage, events, spa services, and parking. Therefore, your hotel
accounting clerk job description must emphasize multi-stream accounting
capabilities.
Essential Software and Standards
In hospitality, Property Management Systems (PMS) form the backbone
of hotel accounting. Common platforms include Opera, OnQ, Maestro, and
Fosse. Unlike standard accounting software, PMS integrates reservations,
front desk, housekeeping, and financial functions.
The Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI)
provides the standardized framework hotels use. Your candidates should
either know it or demonstrate ability to learn industry-specific
accounting standards quickly.
Hospitality Accounting Clerk Job Description: Key Tasks
To succeed, hotel accounting clerks perform duties specific to
hospitality. They reconcile daily revenue from multiple outlets like the
front desk, restaurants, room service, banquets, gift shops, and spas.
Each outlet requires separate tracking and often different tax
treatments.
Front desk drop reconciliation verifies cash handling procedures are
followed properly. Banquet and group billing involves managing event
deposits, final billing, and master account charges for conferences and
weddings. Cash handling across departments requires maintaining petty
cash and conducting regular audits.
Without fail, night audit procedures represent a unique scheduling
consideration. Many hotels require accounting clerks to work night
shifts to close the business day. Processing credit card batches
completes the daily cycle, as hotels batch-process hundreds of
transactions daily.
What to Seek in Candidates
1-2 years of hotel or restaurant accounting experience
Familiarity with high-volume cash handling
Understanding difference between group and transient business
accountingFlexibility for weekend, holiday, and night shifts (hotels
operate 24/7)Experience with banquet event order (BEO) billing
Red Flags:
Inability to work flexible hours
No experience with multi-department accounting
Legal Accounting Clerk Job Description: Trust Accounting and Compliance
Legal accounting carries the highest regulatory stakes of any
industry covered here. For this reason, your law firm accounting clerk
job description must emphasize trust accounting expertise and compliance
knowledge.
The Critical Importance of Trust Accounting
Trust accounts hold client funds like retainers, settlements, and
escrow. These funds belong to clients, not the firm. State bar
associations enforce strict rules around these accounts.
Under all circumstances, client funds must remain separate from
operating funds. Every transaction requires detailed documentation.
Monthly reconciliation is required with specific reporting requirements.
Bar associations audit these accounts regularly, and violations can
result in attorney disbarment.
Required Legal Software
Legal-specific billing and accounting software includes TimeSlips,
PCLaw, TimeSolv, and QuickBooks with legal modules. These platforms are
built around billable hours, client matters, and the separation of
operating funds from client trust funds.
Unlike general accounting software, legal platforms track time in
six-minute increments. They also manage complex billing arrangements and
client cost allocation. When hiring, your job description should mention
specific software experience or willingness to learn legal systems.
Daily Tasks in Law Firm Accounting
Law firm accounting clerks process time entries from attorneys and
paralegals. Often this involves hundreds of entries weekly. They prepare
draft invoices for attorney review before sending to clients, a process
called pre-billing.
E-billing submissions require specific electronic formats with
detailed task codes. Many corporate clients mandate these formats.
Client retainer management involves tracking balances and applying
payments to correct matters.
Case cost allocation assigns filing fees, deposition costs, and
expert witness fees to appropriate client matters. Monthly trust account
reconciliation requires a three-way match: bank statement, trust ledger,
and client subsidiary ledgers.
Candidate Requirements for Legal Roles
2+ years of law firm accounting experience
Trust accounting knowledge (too important for extensive
on-the-job training)Working knowledge of TimeSlips, PCLaw, or similar legal
softwareUnderstanding billable hour tracking and time entry
auditingExperience with client trust account reconciliation
High school diploma minimum, associate degree in accounting
preferred
Red Flags:
No legal industry experience
Trust accounting mistakes carry too much risk
Inability to meet strict monthly deadlines
Hospital Accounting Clerk Job Description: Medical Coding Meets Finance
Healthcare accounting sits at the intersection of medical billing,
insurance claims, and traditional accounting. Consequently, your
hospital accounting clerk job description must reflect this unique
complexity.
Healthcare-Specific Software Systems
Healthcare systems include Epic (dominant electronic health record
and billing system), Meditech (common in community hospitals), and
Cerner (patient accounting and revenue cycle management). Unlike general
accounting software, these platforms integrate clinical data with
billing data.
Clerks must navigate both medical and financial information
simultaneously. This requires understanding how clinical documentation
affects financial outcomes. Training on these systems takes several
months for someone new to healthcare.
Medical Coding Fundamentals
Healthcare accounting diverges dramatically from other industries
through coding requirements. Your accounting clerk needs working
knowledge of CPT-4 codes (Current Procedural Terminology for services
and procedures). ICD-10 codes classify diagnoses. HCPCS codes cover
supplies and services.
This isn’t merely academic knowledge. These codes directly determine
reimbursement amounts from insurance companies. A single incorrect code
can mean thousands of dollars in lost revenue or claim denials.
While not always required for clerk positions, certifications
demonstrate commitment. Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified
Outpatient Coder (COC), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
credentials add value.
Revenue Cycle Management Tasks
Healthcare accounting clerks prepare and submit insurance claims.
They ensure claims include proper coding for Facility, Ancillary, ER,
and Clinic services. Understanding different reimbursement methodologies
is crucial since Medicare uses DRG for inpatient and APC for
outpatient.
Insurance eligibility verification confirms patient coverage before
services to minimize claim denials. Claim denial resolution involves
following up on rejected claims, correcting coding errors, and
resubmitting. Patient account reconciliation manages the complex
breakdown between insurance payments, patient responsibility, and
write-offs.
HIPAA compliance maintenance governs all patient information
handling. Federal privacy regulations carry significant penalties for
violations. Therefore, every healthcare accounting clerk requires
understanding and follow these rules.
Healthcare Candidate Profile
1-2 years of hospital or medical practice billing
experienceFamiliarity with both inpatient and outpatient billing
Basic medical terminology and coding knowledge
Experience processing health insurance claims
Understanding differences between Medicare, Medicaid, and
commercial insuranceAssociate degree in healthcare administration or related field
preferred
Red Flags:
No healthcare experience (learning curve too steep)
Unfamiliarity with medical coding basics
Government Accounting Clerk Job Description: Fund Accounting and Appropriations
Government accounting operates under completely different rules than private sector accounting. For this reason, your government accounting clerk job description must emphasize fund accounting methodology and compliance expertise.
GASB Standards and Software
Distinctly, government accounting follows GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) rather than GAAP standards used by private companies. This represents a fundamental difference requiring specific training.
Common government accounting software includes CAPPS (used by Texas state agencies), SAP for Government (enterprise resource planning for large municipalities), Tyler Technologies (widely used in local government), and Munis (Tyler’s ERP system for public sector). These systems are built around fund accounting, appropriations, and government-specific reporting.
Understanding Fund Accounting
Unlike private sector accounting where all money flows through one set of books, government entities use fund accounting. This means separate accounting entities for different revenue sources and purposes.
The General Fund covers basic operations. Special Revenue Funds track specific tax proceeds or grants. Capital Project Funds account for infrastructure and major purchases. Debt Service Funds manage bond repayments and loans.
Your accounting clerk needs to understand how to properly classify transactions by fund. They must also maintain separate accounts for each fund type.
Government-Specific Responsibilities
Grant accounting and compliance require tracking restricted funds carefully. Federal and state grants come with specific reporting requirements that must be met precisely. Budget versus actual tracking is constant since government operates under appropriations.
Purchase order and requisition processing follows strict competitive bidding and approval processes. CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) preparation support contributes to the government equivalent of an annual report. In municipal roles, tax collection processing records property tax payments and manages delinquent accounts.
Payroll processing often includes civil service rules and union agreements. These add complexity beyond standard payroll functions. Understanding public sector compensation structures helps clerks navigate these requirements.
Public Sector Candidate Requirements
-
2+ years of government or nonprofit accounting experience
-
Understanding fund accounting principles
-
Familiarity with government procurement processes
-
Experience with state or federal grant reporting
-
High school diploma minimum, associate degree in accounting preferred
-
Some jurisdictions may require civil service exam passage
Red Flags:
-
Only private sector experience with no nonprofit or government exposure
-
Unfamiliarity with appropriation-based budgeting
-
Not understanding restricted versus unrestricted funds
Construction Accounting Clerk Job Description: Project-Based Accounting
Construction accounting tracks profitability by project rather than by period. Therefore, your construction accounting clerk job description must emphasize job costing expertise and progress billing knowledge.
Engineering and Energy Sector Similarities
Along similar lines, engineering firms and energy companies managing large infrastructure or energy projects use similar methodologies. The principles of job costing, change order management, and progress billing apply across these sectors. While specific terminology and contract structures may vary, the fundamental accounting approach remains consistent.
If you’re hiring for an engineering firm working on multi-phase projects or an energy company managing facility, pipeline, or installation construction, many of these same requirements apply. The accounting clerk role in these industries requires the same project-focused mindset.
Construction-Specific Software
Construction accounting platforms include CMiC, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, Procore, and Foundation.
These systems are built around job costing, change orders, and progress billing. Such concepts don’t exist in traditional accounting software. Training someone unfamiliar with construction accounting typically takes several months.
Job Costing Fundamentals
Job costing allocates every expense to specific projects and cost codes. Labor tracks by trade and employee. Materials categorize by type.
Equipment costs include owned and rented equipment. Subcontractors represent significant project costs. Overhead distributes across jobs.
Clerks must properly code invoices. Project managers use this data to track job profitability.
Progress Billing and Compliance
Construction accounting clerks prepare progress billing using AIA G702/G703 forms and process subcontractor invoices.
Retention tracking manages 5-10% withheld until completion. COI tracking ensures subcontractor insurance. Lien waiver management collects conditional and unconditional waivers.
For government projects, prevailing wage compliance verifies contractors pay required wages and submit certified payroll. WIP (Work in Progress) reporting calculates percentage of completion for revenue recognition. Understanding different contract types helps clerks handle Time & Material versus Fixed Price billing correctly.
Construction Industry Candidate Profile
-
1-2 years of construction accounting experience
-
Understanding job costing principles
-
Familiarity with AIA billing forms
-
Experience with subcontractor payments and lien waivers
-
Knowledge of prevailing wage requirements (for government work)
-
High school diploma minimum, associate degree preferred
Red Flags:
-
No construction experience
-
No job costing knowledge
-
Unfamiliarity with progress billing
Manufacturing Accounting Clerk Job Description: Cost Control and Variance Analysis
Manufacturing accounting focuses on understanding the true cost of producing goods. Accordingly, your manufacturing accounting clerk job description should emphasize cost accounting knowledge and inventory management skills.
Manufacturing ERP Systems
Manufacturing ERP systems include SAP (enterprise-level manufacturing and financials), Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (mid-market manufacturing ERP), NetSuite (cloud-based ERP with manufacturing modules), and Epicor (industry-specific manufacturing solutions).
These platforms integrate production scheduling, inventory management, and cost accounting. General accounting software cannot handle these requirements. Your job description should emphasize experience with manufacturing-specific ERP systems.
Cost Accounting Principles
Standard costing versus actual costing forms the foundation of manufacturing accounting. Bill of Materials (BOM) represents the recipe for each product, including materials, quantities, and costs. Variance analysis compares standard costs to actual costs and identifies why differences occurred.
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) calculation properly values inventory as it moves from raw materials to finished goods. Overhead allocation distributes indirect costs like rent, utilities, and supervision across products. Job costing versus process costing depends on whether you make custom products or use continuous production.
Manufacturing-Specific Daily Tasks
Manufacturing accounting clerks maintain accurate BOMs and update costs based on material price changes or engineering modifications. They analyze differences between what products should cost versus what they actually cost through production variance reporting.
On an ongoing basis, inventory reconciliation involves conducting cycle counts, investigating discrepancies, and adjusting inventory records. WIP valuation tracks partially completed goods and their associated costs. Scrap and waste tracking records material losses and their impact on product costs.
Physical inventory support includes participating in quarterly or annual wall-to-wall inventory counts. Month-end closing activities involve calculating inventory reserves and analyzing gross margin by product. These tasks directly impact financial statement accuracy.
Manufacturing Candidate Requirements
-
2-3 years of manufacturing or cost accounting experience
-
Understanding BOMs and standard costing
-
Experience with variance analysis
-
Cycle counting experience
-
Knowledge of FIFO, LIFO, or weighted average valuation
-
Associate degree in accounting or related field preferred
Red Flags:
-
No experience in inventory-heavy environments
-
Unfamiliarity with production processes and manufacturing terminology
-
Inability to work cross-functionally with operations and engineering
Technology and SaaS Accounting Clerk Job Description: Subscription Revenue Recognition
In the technology sector, companies offering Software-as-a-Service face unique accounting challenges centered on subscription revenue recognition. For this reason, your technology accounting clerk job description must emphasize ASC 606 compliance knowledge and deferred revenue management.
Subscription Billing Platforms
Subscription billing and revenue recognition platforms include NetSuite (cloud ERP with comprehensive revenue recognition capabilities), Chargebee (subscription billing and revenue recognition automation), Maxio (purpose-built for SaaS revenue management), and Zuora (subscription order-to-revenue platform).
Fortunately, these platforms automate complex calculations required to comply with revenue recognition standards. They track subscription metrics. Without these systems, managing subscription revenue at scale is difficult.
ASC 606 Revenue Recognition Standard
ASC 606 governs how and when companies recognize revenue. This standard requires a five-step process: identify the contract, identify performance obligations, determine transaction price, allocate price to obligations, and recognize revenue when obligations are satisfied.
For SaaS companies specifically specifically, this means revenue cannot be recognized immediately when customers pay upfront. Revenue is recognized over time as the service is delivered. This creates significant deferred revenue balances.
Deferred Revenue Management
To illustrate, when a customer pays $12,000 upfront for an annual subscription, that money cannot be counted as revenue immediately. Month one recognizes $1,000 in revenue while $11,000 remains deferred. By month six, $6,000 is recognized with $6,000 still deferred. Month twelve completes revenue recognition.
Therefore, your accounting clerk must understand how to properly track and report these deferred revenue balances. Errors lead to misstated financial results and compliance issues. Public companies face strict scrutiny around revenue recognition.
Technology Industry Daily Responsibilities
On a daily basis, technology accounting clerks create and maintain schedules tracking when to recognize revenue for each customer contract. Deferred revenue reconciliation ensures accurate balances. Contract modification accounting processes changes per ASC 606.
MRR tracking reports key SaaS metrics. Multi-element arrangement allocation splits transaction prices across obligations.
Billings versus revenue reconciliation helps management understand that cash collected doesn’t equal revenue earned. Usage-based billing tracks revenue varying by customer usage.
SaaS Candidate Profile
-
1-2 years of SaaS or subscription business accounting experience
-
Understanding ASC 606 (separates qualified from traditional accountants)
-
Familiarity with deferred revenue concepts
-
Subscription billing platform experience
-
Knowledge of MRR, ARR, churn, and expansion revenue
-
Bachelor’s degree in accounting preferred for public SaaS companies
Red Flags:
-
Only traditional point-of-sale revenue recognition experience
-
Unfamiliarity with subscription economics
-
No revenue recognition experience
Â
Conclusion: Industry Expertise Accelerates Hiring Success
As we have seen, generic accounting clerk job descriptions attract
unqualified candidates who waste your time. In stark contrast,
industry-specific job descriptions filter applicants effectively before
they even apply. As a direct result, this saves your team countless
hours of resume screening and interviewing.
Ultimately, when you specify the software, certifications, and
industry knowledge your business actually needs, you accomplish three
key objectives. For one, candidates without relevant experience
self-select out of the process. Second, you attract specialists who
actively search for industry-specific roles. Third, you reduce
onboarding time dramatically by hiring someone who already knows your
systems and processes.
As demonstrated throughout, the industries covered here have steep
learning curves. Put simply, hiring an accounting clerk without relevant
experience means paying for months of on-the-job training. Throughout
this time, during this period, productivity remains low and mistakes are
common. Especially in highly regulated areas like trust accounting,
medical billing, or revenue recognition, these mistakes can prove
costly.
How to Find Industry-Specific Talent
Even now, most companies struggle to find accounting clerks with
industry-specific experience. Realistically, the talent pool is smaller
and competition is fierce. Rather than spending months searching,
consider partnering with specialists who understand your industry’s
unique requirements.
That’s why at VALiNTRY, we focus exclusively on finance and
accounting recruitment. In our process, our team pre-screens candidates
for industry-specific software experience, regulatory knowledge, and
hands-on expertise. This means you only review qualified professionals
who can contribute
from day one.
Whatever your situation, whether you need temporary coverage,
temp-to-hire arrangements, or direct hire placements, we typically
deliver qualified candidates within 48 hours. Our finance
and accounting staffing solutions are designed to reduce your
time-to-hire while improving candidate quality.
So, ready to find an accounting clerk who understands your industry?
Contact VALiNTRY today to discuss your hiring needs.
Struggling to find qualified accounting clerk talent in today’s competitive market? VALiNTRY specializes in placing pre-vetted accounting staff at organizations like yours. Connect with our team to find your next hire.