Office clerks


Rather than performing a single specialized task, general office clerks often have daily responsibilities that change with the needs of the specific job and the employer. Whereas some clerks spend their days filing or typing, others enter data at a computer terminal. They also can be called upon to operate photocopiers, fax machines, and other office equipment; prepare mailings; proofread copies; and answer telephones and deliver messages.

The specific duties assigned to a clerk vary significantly, depending upon the type of office in which he or she works. An office clerk in a doctor�s office, for example, would not perform the same tasks that a clerk in a large financial institution or in the office of an auto-parts wholesaler would perform. Although they may sort checks, keep payroll records, take inventory, and access information, clerks also perform duties unique to their employer, such as organizing medications, making transparencies for a presentation, or filling orders received by fax machine.

The specific duties assigned to a clerk also vary by level of experience. Whereas inexperienced employees make photocopies, stuff envelopes, or record inquiries, experienced clerks usually are given additional responsibilities. For example, they may maintain financial or other records, set up spreadsheets, verify statistical reports for accuracy and completeness, handle and adjust customer complaints, work with vendors, make travel arrangements, take inventory of equipment and supplies, answer questions on departmental services and functions, or help prepare invoices or budgetary requests. Senior office clerks may be expected to monitor and direct the work of lower level clerks.

Related news articles
Stratton Land Co. vs. Ellen J. Stratton -- quiet title - 16 Oct 2006
Tahlequah Daily Press,13 at Blue Springs Cemetery. Green Country Funeral Home, Tahlequah. CROSS, Ellen C., 84. Tahlequah government office clerk. Died Oct. ...

Robinson sees clerk's job as continuation of service - Oct 13, 2006
Watertown Daily Times,...candidate for clerk of courts because she knows the basics of the CCAP program and understands the “connectivity�? between the DA's office, clerk of courts ...

Killer drink driver walked free - Oct 15, 2006
The Sun,...sadness. “I often think I can smell his football boots in the house.�?. Post Office clerk Hayley, 41, is no stranger to tragedy. She ...

Three C-OC school board seats open - Oct 14, 2006
Verde Independent,...years, I worked simultaneously as a bus driver, receptionist (for the district office), food service secretary, assistant business and district office clerk. ...

Foley's former office open for constituents - Oct 6, 2006
TCPalm,Clerk office staff at (561) 627-6192 are able to answer on a limited capacity, the unidentified woman said, while other inquiries will be referred to the ...

Audit: Northampton County missing $100,000 - Oct 6, 2006
The Express Times,About 14 people work in the office. Clerk of Courts Patricia Pulley left the office before closing Friday and could not be reached for comment. ...

Finance Committee addresses coroner situation - Oct 4, 2006
Benton County Daily Record,Justice of the Peace Jerry Sheridan made a motion to eliminate the office-clerk position at the Coroner’s Office until the end of the year. ...

Choose3 was not the best choice for 3G - Oct 14, 2006
The Observer,By the middle of September I had heard nothing. The post office clerk should have kept copies of your ID with the death certificate and form for verification. ...

...The HKL group - Oct 14, 2006
Trinidad & Tobago Express,Shareholders: 75,000 ordinary shares-Hafeez Karamath; Nil ordinary shares-Felisha Rehana (office clerk) because of December 7, 1995, 35,000 ordinary shares ...

Julie Walters on writing a novel - Oct 13, 2006
Guardian Unlimited,She thinks the doubts are probably a legacy from her mother, an Irish Catholic who worked as a post office clerk, while her father was a builder. ...

City staff charges clerk was 'difficult' - Oct 3, 2006
The Union of Grass Valley,..."Working under Cathy's direction daily was unpredictable and difficult," said office clerk Corey Shaver, who has worked for the city for more than 11 years. ...

'Luche Libre' returning to its roots - Oct 13, 2006
Fort Worth Star Telegram,Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. By day he is a law office clerk for a firm in downtown Dallas. A native of Guanajuato, Mexico, Aski ...

Boys & Girls Club Hold Annual Founder’s Event - Oct 13, 2006
Black Voice News,High School. She has worked for the Club for two years as an office clerk. Delores Armstead the Boys and Girls Club President. The ...

Brazoria renames streets - Oct 14, 2006
Brazosport Facts (subscription),A post office clerk has said residents will have up to one year to file an address change form with them, and packages and letters addressed to either the old ...

Ulster lawmakers seek cost savings as budget deadline looms - Sep 22, 2006
Kingston Daily Freeman,Even so, the numbers stayed fairly similar to last year's, with minor decreases in the Treasurer's Office, Clerk of the Legislature and Auditor's office. ...

A DAY IN THE LIFE - Oct 12, 2006
Reuters AlertNet,McFerran writes The Life in the Day that was October 8th 2005 for Shazia Abbasi, 26, when she lost both her husband, Aashiq Hussain, an office clerk, and her ...

Bishop State student aid probe brings new theft arrests - Oct 6, 2006
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer,...deception charges Friday against a teacher, a school secretary, her son and her husband, plus additional charges against a business office clerk arrested last ...

Bishop State student aid probe brings new theft arrests - Oct 6, 2006
WTVM,...by deception charges against a teacher, a school secretary, her son and her husband, plus additional charges against a business office clerk arrested last week ...

Witnesses sought to fatal bashing - Oct 10, 2006
The Australian,Investigators believe robbery could be the motive for the unprovoked bashing, despite reports the unmarried office clerk had bought pies for his attackers. ...






More information on Office clerks from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Office clerks occupation
Number of Office clerks in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Office clerks
Working conditions for Office clerks
Significant points for Office clerks
Training requirements for Office clerks




Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search
Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new