Accounting Associate

Balancing is as much a part of a tightrope walker's life as it is of an Accounting Associate's job. Contrary to stereotypical images of accountants peering at spreadsheets all day and deciphering alien-appearing equations, it can be quite exciting to lay the groundwork for accounting procedures as you get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into organizational functions.

What do Accounting Associates do?

• Assist top-level accountants, auditors, and finance employees within a company; undertake bookkeeping and accounting work
  , such as data entry, reconciling of accounts, as well as preparing accounting reports and facts as per enacted processes and guidelines
• Assist with the preparation of budgets and financial statements; help with tax filings, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and payroll processing; manage insurance claims; assess and encode financial data
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal regulations and requirements; clarify accounting related issues, procedures, and policies
• Answer calls and manage routine correspondence with clients, responding to their queries, providing information, and ensuring appropriate follow-up; discharge other clerical duties
• Handle payments made by or to the company; prepare invoices, statements of accounts, vouchers, and other documents; process, record, and pay invoices, bills, and other transactions
• Keep track of and resolve overdue accounts and outstanding payments through communication with departments, vendors, and clients
• Ensure proper review of accounts for appropriate supervision of transactions and correct placement to designated areas; supervise, track, and post income, expenses, and gifts
• Manage cash with investment brokers and banks daily; validate accounts as well as bank certificates
• Collate accounts of staff, travel advances, and other expenses relating to entertainment and travel; appraise payment applications for appropriate authorization
• Compile and review financial information; collate monetary data and maintain accounting journals; prepare financial forms, documents, and reports required by management and other governmental organizations
• Record fiscal transactions and balancing/reconciling accounts; maintain filing systems
• Reconcile employment hours with statements; reconcile bank statements
• Acquire, process, and register customer invoices using various accounting software and systems
• Manage sales contracts, reports on employee expenses, information on salary, and organization timesheets
• Liaise regularly with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and other personnel
• Evaluate and update information; undertake validation of data for accuracy; verify the information printed on documents before proceeding with transactions

The Accounting Associate is an entry-level position typically answerable to either the financial services manager or a senior accountant and filled mostly by fresh professionals seeking their first real-world accounting experience and responsibilities.

Accounting Associates usually work in a comfortable and indoor office setting with accountants, although some, particularly those who are self-employed, work from home. Exposure to video terminal displays is the norm. Work may call for some travel from business to business to verify data. Accounting Associates may work independently with only some supervision as needed. They must, however, be skilled at working with others, and, mainly, in dealing with clients.

Working full time is the norm, although you may also find part-time, job-share, and flexible opportunities, especially when your role requires you to work as part of a larger team.

Working in roles such as that of an accounts payable clerk, accounting clerk, or administrative assistant will equip you with relevant experience to become an Accounting Associate. Experience in entry-level jobs will enhance your chances of landing advanced positions. About four years of professional accounting experience will stand you in good stead in your job search.

As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working as Accounting Associates are other important ways to explore your interest.

You can depend on an accounting internship to help you discover and develop the skills and abilities needed in the workplace, which include rigor, an affinity for numbers, and being tech-savvy.

As an Accounting Associate intern, you would work under the company's accountant or CFO, helping them carry out their diverse functions to manage cash flow. Internship activities would include following the expenses, entries, and financial wellbeing of the company. Landing some internships may depend on the level and field of your education, and so may the responsibilities you discharge.

An Accounting Associate tackles complex equations and figures daily. Therefore,
while not essential, acquiring a four-year bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or finance-related courses from a well-ranked university would give you an edge in the employment…