Hiring an accounting assistant isn’t just about filling an entry-level seat. It’s about improving accuracy, consistency, and reliability in your financial operations without slowing your core accounting team. An accounting assistant supports day-to-day bookkeeping, reporting, and administrative tasks that keep invoices moving, records clean, and the month-end close on track.
This role is especially common in growing businesses, where finance teams need hands-on support while still requiring attention to detail and accountability. Below, we break down exactly what an accounting assistant does, the responsibilities and skills that matter most, and how to structure a job description that attracts candidates who can actually keep up with the work, not just list it on their resume.
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Accounting Assistant Quick Facts
- Average salary range: $38,566–$59,065 annually, depending on location, industry, and experience
- Primary role: Supports daily accounting and financial operations by maintaining accurate records and assisting senior accounting staff
- Common responsibilities: Data entry, accounts payable and receivable support, reconciliations, invoice processing, and basic financial reporting
- Typical experience level: Entry-level to 2 years of accounting or bookkeeping experience
- Education requirements: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (requirements vary by company)
- Reports to: Staff Accountant, Accounting Manager, or Controller
- Work environment: Office or hybrid setting within finance, accounting, or operations teams
What Does an Accounting Assistant Do?
An accounting assistant helps keep a company’s financial records accurate, organized, and up to date by supporting core accounting functions. They handle routine but critical tasks such as processing transactions, maintaining documentation, and assisting with reconciliations so senior accountants can focus on analysis, reporting, and strategy.
In most organizations, an accounting assistant works closely with accounts payable and accounts receivable, ensures data is entered correctly into accounting systems, and helps maintain consistency across financial records. While the role is often considered entry-level, accuracy, follow-through, and attention to detail are essential, as errors can directly affect reporting and cash flow.
At a high level, an accounting assistant typically:
- Records and organizes financial transactions
- Supports accounts payable and accounts receivable workflows
- Assists with bank and account reconciliations
- Maintains accurate financial documentation and files
- Provides administrative and operational support to the accounting team
Accounting Assistant Responsibilities
An accounting assistant’s responsibilities focus on keeping daily financial activity accurate, organized, and on schedule. While tasks can vary by company size and industry, most roles combine transactional work with administrative support for the broader accounting function.
To attract candidates who understand the scope of the role and to set clear expectations, responsibilities are best grouped by function.
Core accounting responsibilities
- Enter and update financial transactions in accounting software
- Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processing
- Prepare and match invoices, payments, and expense reports
- Support bank, credit card, and account reconciliations
- Maintain accuracy and consistency across financial records
Reporting and documentation
- Organize and maintain financial files and supporting documentation
- Assist with basic financial reports and spreadsheets
- Help prepare materials for the month-end and year-end close
- Ensure records comply with internal controls and company policies
Administrative and team support
- Respond to internal and external accounting-related inquiries
- Coordinate with vendors, clients, and internal departments as needed
- Provide general administrative support to accountants and finance managers
Required Skills and Qualifications
A strong accounting assistant doesn’t just check boxes on a resume. They combine technical fundamentals with reliability, organization, and the ability to follow established processes without constant oversight. While exact requirements vary by company, the qualifications below reflect what most hiring managers look for when filling this role.
Technical and role-specific skills
- Familiarity with accounting or bookkeeping principles
- Experience using accounting software or ERP systems (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, or similar platforms)
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel or spreadsheet tools
- Ability to accurately enter, track, and reconcile financial data
- Understanding of accounts payable and accounts receivable processes
Soft skills that matter in this role
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Organization and time management skills
- Ability to follow documented processes and deadlines
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Professional discretion when handling financial information
Education and experience
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- Prior accounting, bookkeeping, or administrative experience is preferred but not always required for entry-level roles
Preferred Qualifications to Consider
When defining an accounting assistant role, many employers choose to distinguish between minimum requirements and preferred qualifications. Preferred qualifications are not mandatory, but they can help identify candidates who are likely to ramp up faster, require less oversight, or support more complex accounting workflows.
Depending on your organization’s size, industry, and transaction volume, you may consider prioritizing candidates with:
- Prior experience in an accounting, finance, or bookkeeping role
- Familiarity with common accounting software or ERP systems such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, or similar platforms
- Hands-on exposure to accounts payable and accounts receivable processes
- Basic working knowledge of GAAP or internal accounting controls
- Experience supporting month-end close activities or financial reporting
- Comfort working in environments with high transaction volume, recurring billing, or tight deadlines
- Internship, co-op, or applied accounting experience in a professional setting
Relevant certifications
Certifications are not required for most accounting assistant roles, but they can indicate a candidate’s commitment to the field and readiness to take on more responsibility. Depending on your organization’s needs, you may prefer candidates who hold or are pursuing one or more of the following:
- Certified Bookkeeper (CB) – American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
- QuickBooks Certification or similar accounting software certifications
- Accounting Clerk or Accounting Assistant Certificates from accredited institutions
- CPA coursework or exam progress (for candidates pursuing long-term accounting careers)
Accounting Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
Accounting assistant compensation varies based on location, industry, company size, and experience level. While the role is typically considered entry-level, pay can increase steadily as responsibilities expand and candidates gain hands-on accounting experience.
- Entry-level roles: Often fall toward the lower end of the range
- Experienced or specialized roles: May exceed the average range, especially in high-cost markets or regulated industries
The average national salary for an Accounting Assistant is:
$47,147
Salaries tend to be higher in organizations that require exposure to multiple accounting functions, support complex billing structures, or operate in industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology.
Job outlook
The BLS projects that employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, which includes many accounting assistant roles, is expected to decline by about 6% from 2024 to 2034, in part due to increasing automation of routine tasks.
Even with this decline, the profession is expected to generate roughly 170,000 job openings annually over the decade, largely due to replacement needs as workers retire or change occupations.
Across the broader accounting and financial professions, demand remains steady; overall accounting employment, including accountants and auditors, is expected to grow around 5–7% over similar time frames, signaling a persistent need for related support roles and career pathways.
Sample Accounting Assistant Job Description
Job title: Accounting Assistant
Department: Finance / Accounting
Reports to: Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or Controller
Job overview
The accounting assistant supports the accounting team by ensuring financial transactions are recorded accurately, documentation is maintained properly, and routine accounting processes run smoothly. This role plays a key part in keeping day-to-day financial operations organized and on schedule, particularly in environments with recurring billing, high transaction volume, or strict reporting deadlines.
While this position is often considered entry-level, it requires a strong attention to detail, the ability to follow established procedures, and comfort working with financial data. The accounting assistant works closely with accountants and other internal teams to support accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and reporting activities.
Key responsibilities
Transaction processing and recordkeeping
- Enter financial transactions into accounting software with a high degree of accuracy
- Process invoices, payments, expense reports, and supporting documentation
- Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable workflows, including matching invoices to payments
- Maintain organized and up-to-date financial records in accordance with company policies
Reconciliations and reporting support
- Assist with bank, credit card, and account reconciliations
- Identify and flag discrepancies or missing documentation for review
- Help prepare schedules, reports, and spreadsheets used during month-end close
- Support audits or internal reviews by gathering and organizing required documentation
Administrative and cross-functional support
- Respond to routine accounting-related questions from internal teams and vendors
- Coordinate with vendors regarding invoices, payments, or account discrepancies
- Assist accounting staff with special projects or process improvement initiatives as needed
Required skills and qualifications
Technical skills
- Basic understanding of accounting or bookkeeping principles
- Experience or familiarity with accounting software or ERP systems
- Proficiency with spreadsheets and data entry tools
- Ability to work with numerical data accurately and consistently
Professional skills
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to manage recurring tasks and deadlines
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Professional discretion when handling confidential financial information
Education and experience
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- Previous accounting, bookkeeping, or administrative experience preferred
- Internship or hands-on experience in a finance or accounting environment is a plus
Preferred qualifications
While not required, candidates with the following qualifications are often able to ramp up more quickly and take on additional responsibility within the role:
- Experience working in an accounting or finance department
- Familiarity with common accounting software or ERP systems such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, or similar platforms
- Exposure to accounts payable and accounts receivable processes
- Basic understanding of GAAP or internal accounting controls
- Comfort supporting month-end close activities and financial reporting
- Prior experience in industries with high transaction volume, recurring billing, or regulatory requirements
- Internship, co-op, or hands-on accounting experience in a professional setting
Work environment and schedule
- Office-based or hybrid work environment, depending on company policy
- Standard business hours, with occasional flexibility during month-end or peak periods
- Full-time or part-time schedules may be available based on business needs
FAQs
Is an accounting assistant an entry-level role?
Yes, accounting assistant positions are commonly entry-level, but expectations vary by organization. While some roles focus on basic data entry and administrative support, others require hands-on involvement with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and reconciliations. Clearly defining responsibilities helps attract candidates with the right level of experience.
What skills are most important for an accounting assistant?
Accuracy, attention to detail, and organization are critical. Strong accounting assistants are also comfortable working with accounting software and spreadsheets, and are able to handle repetitive processes while meeting deadlines. Soft skills like communication and reliability matter just as much as technical ability.
What’s the difference between an accounting assistant and a staff accountant?
An accounting assistant typically supports transactional and administrative tasks, while a staff accountant is responsible for higher-level activities such as journal entries, financial analysis, and reporting. Many accounting assistants advance into staff accountant roles as they gain experience.
Do accounting assistants need a degree in accounting?
Many employers prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, but it is not always required. Relevant experience, internships, or demonstrated proficiency with accounting systems can be equally valuable, especially for entry-level positions.
How long does it take to onboard an accounting assistant?
Onboarding timelines vary, but most accounting assistants can become productive within a few weeks when processes are well-documented. Candidates with prior experience with accounting software or exposure to similar workflows often ramp up more quickly.
Is this role impacted by automation or accounting software?
While automation has reduced some manual tasks, accounting assistants remain essential for maintaining data accuracy, managing exceptions, and supporting reconciliations. Many organizations now look for assistants who can work alongside accounting systems rather than simply perform data entry.