Financial clerksFinancial clerks keep track of money, recording all amounts coming into or leaving an organization. Their records are vital to an organization�s need to keep track of all revenues and expenses. While most financial clerks work in offices, maintaining and processing various accounting records, some deal directly with customers, taking in and paying out money. When bills are not paid on time, financial clerks must contact customers to find out why and attempt to resolve the problem. Other clerks keep track of a store�s inventory and order replacement stock when supplies are low. (Additional information about specific financial clerks appears in separate statements; see links below.) Depending on their specific titles, these workers perform a wide variety of financial recordkeeping duties. Bill and account collectors notify customers with delinquent accounts in order to solicit payment. Billing and posting clerks and machine operators prepare bills and invoices. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks maintain financial data in computer and paper files. Payroll and timekeeping clerks compute wages for payroll records and review employee timecards. Procurement clerks prepare purchase orders and monitor purchase requests. Tellers receive and pay out money for financial institutions, while gaming cage workers perform many of the same services for casinos. The duties of financial clerks vary with the size of the firm. In a small business, a bookkeeper may handle all financial records and transactions, as well as payroll and billing duties. A large firm, by contrast, may employ specialized accounting, payroll, and billing clerks. In general, however, clerical staffs in firms of all sizes are increasingly performing a broader variety of tasks than in the past. Another change in these occupations is the growing use of financial software to enter and manipulate data. Computer programs automatically perform calculations that previously were done manually. Computers also enable clerks to access data within files more quickly and even generate statements automatically. Nevertheless, most workers still keep backup paper records for research, auditing, and reference purposes, although a paperless office is increasingly the goal for many organizations. Despite the growing use of automation, interaction with the public and with coworkers remains a basic part of the job for many financial clerks. Payroll clerks, for example, answer questions concerning employee benefits, tellers and gaming cage workers help customers with their financial needs, and procurement clerks often have to deal with an organization�s suppliers. Related news articles In Pinckney, a rematch for clerk - Oct 13, 2006 Ann Arbor News,Van Blaircum, a lifelong Pinckney resident and full-time financial clerk in the University of Michigan chemistry department, doesn't discount the work Felty ... Jefferson County corrects accounting errors - Oct 12, 2006 Martinsburg Journal,Steven Gibson, chief deputy financial clerk for the county, said that all errors were corrected in fewer than 12 hours after the mistake. ... KH finances OK; accounting wasn't - Sep 29, 2006 Bradford County Telegraph,...supervision, including the presence of a certified public accountant one to two days each month to reconcile bank statements and spot check the financial clerk ... Jayroe, Jackson discuss need for better security at schools - Sep 15, 2006 Forrest City Times-Herald,Jackson: “By being a deacon and a trustee and a financial clerk in my church, I feel that I can bring a little more management skills and financial input. ... More information on Financial clerks from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Financial clerks occupation Number of Financial clerks in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Financial clerks Working conditions for Financial clerks Significant points for Financial clerks Training requirements for Financial clerks Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |