Updated April 25, 2024
7 min read
An Accounts Receivable Clerk specializes in processing payment records and bill statements of a company or organization. Among the duties include calculating total revenues and unpaid invoices, maintaining financial records and keeping a detailed and organized database, and verifying financial transactions and payment delinquencies. Furthermore, an Accounts Receivable Clerk must resolve and examine deductions, prepare invoices and necessary documentation, and review customer payment plans and history records and coordinate with the collections department should there be any issues.
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Accounts receivable clerk responsibilities
Accounts receivable clerks play a crucial role in financial management, with responsibilities such as compiling utility statistical reports related to cash receipts, expenditures, and accounts receivable. They also audit and reconcile customer accounts, distribute incoming wire transfers, and resolve collections by examining customer account and payment history. According to Francisco Depusoir, Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of the Virgin Islands, "accounts receivable clerks should possess excellent analytical skills, knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and knowledge of Quickbooks." These skills are often highlighted on resumes, showcasing the clerk's ability to manage accounts and financial transactions effectively.
Here are examples of responsibilities from real accounts receivable clerk resumes:
- Manage and monitor weekly bank deposit runs and record deposits into QuickBooks.
- Manage profitable accounts receivable ledgers for existing and new clientele maintaining accuracy of monies enter to appropriate relate account.
- Obtain online reports of bank transactions, including deposits, ACH, EFT and wire payments from multiple banking institutions.
- Utilize QuickBooks accounting software for billing/invoices, generate statements.
- Perform necessary adjustments using knowledge of Medicare and all third party insurance.
- Investigate and resolve any out-of-balances including credit card discrepancies / lockbox exceptions.
- Maintain current knowledge of Medicare guidelines to ensure accurate billing and timely reimbursem*nt.
- Maintain DSO at acceptable levels by establishing and enforcing an appropriate collection policy.
- Monitor financial controls within own processes to ensure compliance with company SOX requirements.
- Analyze purchasing and receiving documents to ensure SOX compliance and report discrepancies immediately.
- Maintain ACH customer's e-banking information, correcting invalid e-mail addresses and contact information.
- Initiate demographic updates of patient information to Medicaid and insurance companies to alleviate billing problems.
- Check Medicaid eligibility in the Medicaid website to ensure patient information is correct before processing claim.
- Process and monitor payments and expenditures, while preparing and monitoring the payroll system efficiently and accurately.
- Maintain payroll operations by following policies and procedures; reporting need changes and requesting approvals before payrolls are released.
Accounts receivable clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Accounts Receivable Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Collection Calls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Detail oriented, and Integrity.
We break down the percentage of Accounts Receivable Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 12%
Supervised order processing, customer service, inspection, quality and administrative operations and resolved customer issues on a daily basis.
- Data Entry, 9%
Distributed incoming wire transfers, collateral assignments, and disbursed claims accurately while also recording information into multiple data entry systems.
- Collection Calls, 8%
Reconciled monthly statements for corporate accounts by making business-to-business collection calls; effectively reviewed orders that hit a credit block.
- Financial Data, 7%
Calculate, post and verify primary financial data used to produced and maintain financial and statistical documents.
- Credit Card Payments, 5%
Processed credit card payments, prepared spreadsheets, integrated invoices and customer/member information into accounting software.
- Process Payments, 5%
Provide customer with required documentation to process payment.
Common skills that an accounts receivable clerk uses to do their job include "customer service," "data entry," and "collection calls." You can find details on the most important accounts receivable clerk responsibilities below.
Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for an accounts receivable clerk to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what accounts receivable clerks do because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." Additionally, an accounts receivable clerk resume shows how accounts receivable clerks use computer skills: "enter all donations into computer; make copies of all donation checks, posting cash receipts. "
Detail oriented. Many accounts receivable clerk duties rely on detail oriented. "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records," so an accounts receivable clerk will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways accounts receivable clerk responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "detailed job costs, cash receipts, and collections. "
Integrity. This is an important skill for accounts receivable clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how accounts receivable clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an accounts receivable clerk: "balanced safe daily bank deposits data entry supervised and ran 2 resident trust accounts. ".
Math skills. A big part of what accounts receivable clerks do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to accounts receivable clerk responsibilities because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical accounts receivable clerk tasks: "handle account ledgers, proofread and verify existing documents, reports, mathematical figures and budgets. "
All accounts receivable clerk skills
The three companies that hire the most accounts receivable clerks are:
- Robert Half263 accounts receivable clerks jobs
- UnitedHealth Group29 accounts receivable clerks jobs
- 84 Lumber13 accounts receivable clerks jobs
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Compare different accounts receivable clerks
Accounts receivable clerk vs. Charge bookkeeper
A full charge bookkeeper's primary job is to manage and handle all the accounts of a small or medium-sized business. They are responsible for overseeing the accounting duties for a company, including billing customers, preparing bank statements and tax returns, and processing timesheets. Also, a full charge bookkeeper collates and enters vendor expenses, maintains the ledger's accuracy, and process accounts receivables. There are specific requirements you should meet to become a successful full charge bookkeeper, such as having a bachelor's degree in accounting, previous work experience as a charge bookkeeper, and bookkeeping certification.
If we compare the average accounts receivable clerk annual salary with that of a charge bookkeeper, we find that charge bookkeepers typically earn a $10,190 higher salary than accounts receivable clerks make annually.Even though accounts receivable clerks and charge bookkeepers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, collection calls, and financial data in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, accounts receivable clerk responsibilities require skills like "data entry," "credit card payments," "process payments," and "cash receipts." Meanwhile a typical charge bookkeeper has skills in areas such as "payroll tax returns," "balance sheet," "fixed assets," and "excellent organizational." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Charge bookkeepers tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $51,567. In contrast, accounts receivable clerks make the biggest average salary, $37,882, in the finance industry.On average, charge bookkeepers reach similar levels of education than accounts receivable clerks. Charge bookkeepers are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about accounts receivable clerks vs charge bookkeepers.
Accounts receivable clerk vs. Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers are employees who are in charge of the company's general ledger. They are well-versed in basic accounting principles, and they apply these in their work. Bookkeepers manage the entry of items in the general ledger, assign items into their proper categories, and ensure that the entries are balanced. They also act as auditors by checking the accuracy and veracity of the receipts or vouchers in their possession before entering them into the system. Bookkeepers ensure that their files are up to date and free of errors.
A career as a bookkeeper brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an accounts receivable clerk. In fact, bookkeepers salary is $3,912 higher than the salary of accounts receivable clerks per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Accounts receivable clerks and bookkeepers both require similar skills like "customer service," "data entry," and "collection calls" to carry out their responsibilities.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that accounts receivable clerk responsibilities requires skills like "credit card payments," "process payments," "cash receipts," and "payroll." But a bookkeeper might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "payroll tax returns," "general ledger accounts," "hr," and "credit card accounts."
Bookkeepers may earn a higher salary than accounts receivable clerks, but bookkeepers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $42,063. On the other hand, accounts receivable clerks receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,882.bookkeepers earn similar levels of education than accounts receivable clerks in general. They're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Accounts receivable clerk vs. Clerk
Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.
An average clerk eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of accounts receivable clerks. The difference in salaries amounts to clerks earning a $5,262 lower average salary than accounts receivable clerks.accounts receivable clerks and clerks both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "data entry," and "payroll," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an accounts receivable clerk is likely to be skilled in "collection calls," "financial data," "credit card payments," and "process payments," while a typical clerk is skilled in "basic math," "math," "cleanliness," and "pos."
Clerks make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $31,380. On the other hand, accounts receivable clerks are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $37,882.Most clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to accounts receivable clerks. For example, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about accounts receivable clerks vs clerks.
Accounts receivable clerk vs. Accounting associate
An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.
Accounting associates typically earn higher pay than accounts receivable clerks. On average, accounting associates earn a $14,112 higher salary per year.While both accounts receivable clerks and accounting associates complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, data entry, and collection calls, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "process payments," "payroll," "ledgers," and "strong analytical" are skills that commonly show up on accounts receivable clerk resumes. On the other hand, accounting associates use skills like general ledger accounts, work ethic, powerpoint, and balance sheet on their resumes.accounting associates enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $52,406. For comparison, accounts receivable clerks earn the highest salary in the finance industry.In general, accounting associates hold similar degree levels compared to accounts receivable clerks. Accounting associates are 4.6% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Types of accounts receivable clerk
Updated April 25, 2024
Zippia Team
Editorial Staff
The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
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Accounts Receivable Clerk Jobs By Location
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Updated April 25, 2024
