Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Financial Clerk

💰 $45,000 - $60,000 Annually

FinanceAccountingAdministrative

🎯 Role Definition

As a Financial Clerk, you will be the engine room of our financial operations, ensuring the smooth and efficient processing of our day-to-day accounting tasks. You will be entrusted with a variety of critical duties, from managing accounts payable and receivable to performing crucial reconciliations and assisting with financial reporting. This position requires a proactive individual who can handle a high volume of data with exceptional accuracy, maintain confidentiality, and collaborate effectively with the broader team to uphold the financial integrity of our organization. You are not just processing numbers; you are a vital contributor to our company's financial health and stability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Accounting Assistant
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Administrative Assistant (with a focus on finance or bookkeeping)

Advancement To:

  • Staff Accountant
  • Senior Financial Clerk / AP or AR Lead
  • Bookkeeper or Full-Charge Bookkeeper

Lateral Moves:

  • Payroll Clerk
  • Procurement Assistant
  • Audit Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute the full accounts payable cycle, including receiving, verifying, and processing a high volume of vendor invoices with meticulous attention to detail and proper general ledger coding.
  • Manage the complete accounts receivable process by accurately creating and issuing customer invoices, diligently recording payments, and proactively communicating with clients regarding outstanding balances to ensure timely collections.
  • Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations for multiple corporate accounts to ensure all financial transactions are accurately recorded and any discrepancies are promptly investigated and resolved.
  • Prepare and process electronic fund transfers, wire payments, and check runs, ensuring all disbursements are properly authorized, documented, and executed securely and on schedule.
  • Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements by gathering, summarizing, and organizing financial data and providing necessary supporting documentation.
  • Maintain and update the general ledger by accurately posting journal entries and ensuring the integrity of financial data in the accounting system.
  • Reconcile and maintain balance sheet accounts, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and prepaid expenses, providing detailed supporting schedules for review.
  • Process and audit employee expense reports, verifying compliance with company travel and expense policies before issuing reimbursements.
  • Liaise with vendors and clients to resolve billing discrepancies, payment issues, and other financial inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
  • Generate and analyze financial reports from the accounting system to provide insights into cash flow, aging accounts, and other key performance indicators.
  • Support the month-end and year-end closing processes by preparing necessary journal entries, accruals, and supporting schedules within established deadlines.
  • Maintain a highly organized system of physical and digital financial records in compliance with company policy and legal retention requirements.
  • Assist with the preparation of documentation for internal and external audits, ensuring all requested materials are accurate and readily available.
  • Code credit card transactions to the appropriate general ledger accounts and reconcile company credit card statements on a monthly basis.
  • Monitor and manage petty cash funds, including disbursing funds, collecting receipts, and performing regular reconciliations.
  • Calculate and post revenue based on contractual agreements, ensuring accurate recognition in the proper period.
  • Verify the accuracy of financial data entered into the accounting system and identify and correct any errors or inconsistencies.
  • Cross-train with other members of the accounting team to provide backup support for critical functions like payroll processing or fixed asset tracking.
  • Adhere to all established internal controls and financial policies to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.
  • Update and maintain vendor and customer files with current information, including contact details, payment terms, and tax documentation (W-9s).
  • Respond to internal inquiries from other departments regarding financial transactions, budget variances, and coding questions.

Secondary Functions

  • Support senior accounting staff with ad-hoc financial reporting, data analysis, and special projects as required.
  • Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the finance department to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and automation.
  • Collaborate with business units to ensure proper coding of expenses and provide guidance on financial procedures.
  • Participate in the implementation and testing of new accounting software or system upgrades.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Accounting Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with accounting systems such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP platforms.
  • Advanced MS Excel Skills: Mastery of Excel functions, including VLOOKUP, SUMIF, Pivot Tables, and complex formulas for data manipulation and analysis.
  • Bookkeeping Principles: Strong, practical understanding of basic bookkeeping and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
  • Data Entry Accuracy: Exceptional speed and accuracy in 10-key data entry and information processing.
  • Financial Reconciliation: Proven ability to perform complex account and bank reconciliations with a high degree of precision.
  • Reporting: Experience in preparing and generating standard financial reports (e.g., A/P aging, A/R aging).

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An unwavering focus on accuracy and precision, leaving no room for error in financial data management.
  • Organizational & Time Management: Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize workload effectively, and consistently meet tight deadlines.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying, investigating, and resolving financial discrepancies and issues.
  • Communication Skills: Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues, vendors, and clients.
  • Integrity and Discretion: A high level of personal integrity and the ability to handle confidential financial information with utmost discretion.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative mindset with the ability to work effectively within a team to achieve departmental goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent is required. An Associate's degree or relevant certification (e.g., Certified Bookkeeper) is a strong plus.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related Business field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of direct experience in an accounting or finance support role.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrable experience in a role with similar responsibilities, such as an Accounting Clerk, Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist, or Bookkeeper, is highly desirable. Experience within a fast-paced, high-volume transaction environment is a significant advantage.
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