Job as an Accounting Clerk?

[Lady Belle]

I have a small chance of being layed off in the next 12 months or so. I'm not worried about having a job tomorrow, but the next 6 to 12 months looks less certain, if that makes any sense.

Anyway, I'm looking for a "parachute" of sorts, since I'm not sure I could find work in my current profession. I took a look at the local community college to see what kind of work I can re-train for in a hurry. They have a 'Accounting Clerk' program that I can do in 2 semesters (maybe less, I'm going to call them and get more info) and only 10 credit hours. It says "...provides the courses needed for an entry level position in such areas as accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory accounting." I checked moster.com and there are at least a half dozen entry level jobs in my area that seem to fit this description. I figure I can take the classes while I'm on unemployment and/or working a McJob, and by the time that runs out, I can hopefully land a new job. Once working again I'll continue to take more course work part time and eventually get an associates in accounting. The great thing about this "clerk" certificate is that all the course work is college credit and is required for the associate's degree anyway, so it isn't "wasted" time.

My question is, though, is how much do these entry leve jobs pay, the monster.com job postings didn't list wages. I'd take a pay cut from my current position, obviously. I just want to get an idea of what to expect. Anyone here have any ideas or advice? Thanks!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Entry level clerk (full time) is around $25K-$35K, depending on a number of things like experience, company size, and city.

 

[experiment626mom]

I see you are in the Chicago suburbs. That could mean anywhere from 19k - 25k for entry level.

 

[Lady Belle]

Entry level clerk (full time) is around $25K-$35K, depending on a number of things like experience, company size, and city.

That's not too bad, beats $8 an hour at Starbucks!

Anyone else with any ballpark figures or other advice? And yes, it's the Chicago area (NW burbs) and yes it would be full-time work.

 

[luvtogo12]

I am an accounting assistant (aka accounting clerk).
Part time, I am making $15.00/hour. I am not sure how that compares to other parts of the Country though.

 

[Lady Belle]

I am an accounting assistant (aka accounting clerk).
Part time, I am making $15.00/hour. I am not sure how that compares to other parts of the Country though.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you like the work? Is it boring? Challenging? Easy but not mind-numbing? I'm hoping that if/when I change careers that I find something that I enjoy, or at least can tollerate doing for the next 30 years of my life!

 

[luvtogo12]

Actually, I love the work. It can get tedious at times but for the most part there is something new to be learned every day. I have been temp. moved to another dept that needs help and I miss "my" accounting job terribly. I don't know that I will enjoy it as much 20-30 years from now but for the past 3 years I have enjoyed it. Basically, I do A/R, collections and such, not so much working with numbers. My work may not be the norm for an accounting clerk, there are so many duties that can fall under that title.
I never get bored especially with the collections part of my job. Sometimes I just call customers to chat without trying to collect money from them, trying to establish a relationship other than the "dreaded collector vs the delinquent customer". I find a tremendous amount of satisfaction in watching the past due $$ amounts go down, but then again, I am easily amused.
I dont get that type of satisfaction in the job they have me doing right now.

 

[KAMLEM]

It really depends on the company and the city, but with the companies I'm familiar with it wouldn't pay much more than about $12 an hour around here if you don't have a four year degree.