Potential Positions Potential positions include accounts receivable/accounts payable clerk, general ledger clerk and payroll clerk. Nationally, about twenty-five percent of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are employed in wholesale or retail trade and thirty-four percent are employed in organizations providing business, health, educational, and social services.
Employment Outlook In Washington State, employment opportunities are expected to increase slower than average through the year 2012. The large size of the occupation ensures plentiful job openings, including many opportunities for temporary and part-time work. Virtually all job openings will stem from replacement needs as clerks and assistants transfer to different occupations or leave the labor force. Within 9 months after graduation, the estimated employment rate for the Accounting Technician program is 90%. The graduate starting median wage is $12.71 with a wage potential of $24.04.
*Graduate wages and placement obtained from SBCTC/WA unemployment files from 2004-05. Wage potential is based out of Whatcom County and obtained from LMEA. For further information, contact the Counseling & Career Center at 360-752-8450.
Typical Tasks Specific tasks typically required of an accounting technician include:
Computing, classifying, and recording numerical data to keep financial records complete;
Calculating, posting, and verifying information necessary to maintain accurate accounting records;
Ensuring the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to transactions recorded by other workers;
Establishing, developing, and maintaining the financial records of organizations and departments;
Totaling, balancing, and reconciling billing vouchers;
Ensuring completeness and accuracy of data on accounts;
Coding documents according to company procedures;
Posting transactions in journals and on computer and updating as needed;
Reviewing computer printouts against manually maintained journals and making necessary corrections; and
Using specialized accounting software, including spreadsheets and databases, on computer.
This program typically starts in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Quarters
