5 Great Entry Level Accountant Jobs

The accounting industry is a big one, and some of the job responsibilities of entry-level accountants can range from auditing, taxation and financial consulting to reporting and record-keeping. Although most accountant jobs need the candidate to have at least one year of experience in the field. However, graduates can get entry-level positions in a private firm as an external accountant for a company or individual.

Some job seekers see advertisements of entry-level accountant vacancies and they start wondering the meaning and the their job description. This article will educate us on the meaning of entry level accountant jobs and top five best entry-level accountant jobs to help you progress in your career paths.

Entry level accountant jobs is the first level of accounting roles for those just starting their careers as a fresh graduate or out of college. Some entry-level positions include budget analyst, accounting assistant, accountant, accounting clerk, staff accountant and bookkeeper. You can even work as an SME accountant for a small business and leverage on the experience.

These jobs give experience and exposure into the world of finance and accounting, you need to earn promotions and grow your career. A lot of recent college graduates begin their careers at entry level accountant positions; some with previous accounting experience may decide to take an entry-level job to get an employment and work with a particular company.

Also Read: How To Become An Accountant

Getting an accounting job without experience is frustrating, but with the right guidance, networking and skills, it will be easy for you to navigate. I know you must have asked "What jobs can I get with an accounting degree and no experience?" This article focuses on accounting jobs for recent graduates with no experience. The jobs include;

A budget analyst, often called a cost estimator or budget accountant, is an entry-level position in private accounting or management field. These professionals work in government agencies, organizations or companies to monitor payroll, manage financial records and analyze finances. They may also be responsible for reporting to managers, planning financial strategies, monitoring trends in revenues and costs or developing budgets. These professionals must have notable knowledge on predictive accounting, IT management and business analytics.

Public accountants can work in either private practices (self employed) or accounting firms. Entry-level positions in public accounting are often called “junior associates,” and these professionals either work in financial positions in government agencies or perform accounting tasks for small business and nonprofit organizations.

Their primary duties include; 

Public accountants use special accounting management software and systems to carry out these duties.

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Accounting assistants take care of an organization’s financial needs. Typically, they work for a senior accountants. They act as assistants to senior accountants in an organization to enable them learn the job and get experience. Their job duties include maintaining and filing records, billing and making and receiving phone calls. They also perform basic bookkeeping functions such as preparing the ledger for the senior accountant’s approval, entering financial details and calculating deposits and debits. They may also work with financial institutions to make sure that accounts are properly balanced without errors and that funds are available for disbursement. Accounting assistants must be familiar with office rules and know how to use accounting software, and have solid organizational and communication skills.

Some of the duties of accounting clerks include posting transactions, they determine interest charges and calculate accounts. They also issue payments owed to other organizations (account payable), file and keep financial receipts and records and communicate with contractors about bills. They contact clients about invoices as well as collecting and recording incoming payments (account receivables).

Also called a bookkeeping clerk, a bookkeeper is saddled with the responsibilities of tracking customer or client accounts, recording daily financial transactions, maintaining fiscal records and preparing financial reports for supervisors and managers. Oftentimes, bookkeepers keep track of several accounts simultaneously, recording income and expenses, receipts and payments for the companies they work. However, special duties will depend on the company and what they need. For example, they could prepare tax filing, invoices and bank deposits, or managing payroll. The main industries a  bookkeeper works include wholesale, retail, professional services, insurance and healthcare, etc. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To get an entry-level accounting job, you must get a degree in accounting or any related financial field. Most companies prefer a bachelor's degree, but accountants with an associate degree can earn certification to advance their career. Candidates with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential will have a strong advantage over those without, when seeking employment. CPA is nationally recognized license that requires at least 150 hours of continuing education. 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) conducts a four-part exam that candidates must pass to become certified accountants. CPA requirements varies for different states; you can as well conduct a strong research on the regulations in the state you wish to work. Learn more IT skills and become proficient in Microsoft excel (spreadsheets) and accounting software, such as QuickBooks. Apply for entry-level positions jobs in firms that will help you learn and advance your career.

Although working as a public accountant or budget analyst typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related discipline, those pursuing bookkeeping or accounting clerk positions might not need a degree. Do you know that you can become an accountant without a degree? However, having an associate’s degree is compulsory if you wish to advance your career, as it is a need for most entry-level accountant jobs.

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