| Accounts/finance clerks, also known as | | | | Bookkeeping Certificate (ABC) is also available. |
| bookkeepers, record financial transactions. In a | | | | The AAT also offers a range of specialist |
| large organisation they work in a finance office | | | | qualifications including the NVQ/SVQ in Audit |
| with other staff, perhaps supporting senior finance | | | | (Internal), the NVQ/SVQ in Payroll Administration |
| professionals. | | | | and the AAT Diploma in Government Finance. |
| Their duties could include: | | | | After successfully completing any of AATs |
| - calculating the cost of a new product or service | | | | qualifications, except ABC, students automatically |
| - completing VAT returns and preparing accounts | | | | become AAT Affiliates and can progress to |
| for Inland Revenue | | | | Membership. |
| - keeping records of payments, invoices, receipts | | | | International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB) |
| and debit/credit notes | | | | offers a range of examinations at various levels. |
| - checking bank statements against records | | | | After passing certain IAB exams you can apply |
| - preparing cash-flow statements | | | | for IAB membership. |
| - calculating wages and national insurance | | | | LCCI Practical Bookkeeper (first level), |
| contributions | | | | Bookkeeper (first level) and Bookkeeping and |
| - dealing with enquiries on the phone and by letter | | | | Accounts (second level). |
| - filing paperwork. | | | | OCR Practical Book-keeping (stage I-II) |
| - Most organizations now have computerized | | | | Bookkeeping (stage I) and Computerized |
| systems and accounts clerks will probably need to | | | | Accounting (stage I-II). |
| use a range of software packages including | | | | SQA National Units in Accounting at Intermediate |
| databases and spreadsheets. | | | | 1 level. |
| To be an accounts clerk you need: | | | | Pitman qualifications in Bookkeeping and Accounts, |
| - numeracy | | | | Computerised Accounts and Accounting. |
| - to be able to work quickly and accurately | | | | Training |
| - good concentration and attention to detail | | | | You might start work as a junior in the accounts |
| - a logical, methodical approach | | | | or wages department of a large organization on |
| - an interest in business and finance | | | | general procedures. This may include computer |
| - the ability to work to strict deadlines | | | | software packages used by employers. You |
| - to be able to work unsupervised | | | | would train on the job, supervised by senior staff. |
| - to be honest, discreet and trustworthy. | | | | You could attend in-house training courses, day |
| There are no minimum entry requirements but | | | | release or evening classes, or work for |
| employers often ask for GCSEs (A-C) or | | | | qualifications via distance learning. |
| equivalent in Maths and English. Computer skills are | | | | Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships |
| also useful. | | | | (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. |
| For details of qualification equivalents see: | | | | For details see: MAPPs (England); Skillseekers |
| Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, | | | | MAPPs (Scotland); National Traineeships MAPPs |
| Wales and Northern Ireland) | | | | (Wales); and MAPPs (Northern Ireland). |
| Scottish Qualifications Authority | | | | Annual Income |
| A number of useful qualifications are available. | | | | The annual income section is intended as a |
| These include: | | | | guideline only. |
| The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) | | | | Starting salary is around £10,000 per year. |
| offers a number of qualifications including NVQ | | | | With skills and experience, earnings rise to around |
| SVQs in accounting at levels 2, 3, and 4. There | | | | £15,000. |
| are no minimum entry requirements. The AAT | | | | A senior bookkeeper can earn up to £19,000. |