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Accounts receivable assistants play an essential role in keeping an organization's books in the black, making them valuable in both good and bad times. Here's what you need to know to break into this virtually recession-proof field.

What do accounts receivable assistants do?

Accounts receivable clerks manage a company's books with respect to incoming revenue. That means tracking accounts, processing payments, and submitting invoices or statements, as needed. In some cases, these professionals are also responsible for managing overdue accounts, processing credit applications, and gathering credit information on current and prospective customers.

How much do accounts receivable assistants earn?

It can be difficult to pinpoint how much you can earn as an accounts receivable assistant since salaries vary tremendously by experience level, location and employer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median accounting and auditing clerk salary, which includes the median accounts receivable assistant salary, was $33,450 in 2009. The middle 50 percent of employees earned between $26,910 and $41,280, and the top 10 percent earned in excess of $50,450. Salary.com similarly reports that accounts receivable clerks earned a median salary of $33,227 in 2011, while GlassDoor.com, notes that typical wages for accounts receivable assistants and clerks ranged from to $24,000 to $37,000 the same year.

Where you live can really influence your earnings, whatever your profession. According to the BLS, the following states were the most lucrative for accounting clerks in 2009, including accounts receivable specialists:

• District of Columbia: $47,100 mean wage, 2009
• Connecticut: $40,190 mean wage, 2009
• Alaska: $39,530 mean wage, 2009
• Massachusetts: $39,250 mean wage, 2009
• Maryland: $39,140 mean wage, 2009

The following cities are among the highest paying in the nation relative to cost of living as determined by 2009 wage data from the BLS and cost of living data the same year provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research:

• Los Alamos County, N.M.
• Lake County, Iowa
• Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minn.
• Lansing, Mich.
• Reno, Nev.

One final major factor that influences how much you can earn as an accounts receivable assistant is your training and experience. In general, those with formal education in accounting or a related subject fare better than those with high school diplomas alone, while those with some professional experience in the field earn more than entry-level professionals. This is precisely why the right training is such an important career investment for accounts receivable assistants of all levels, but especially entry-level specialists.

How to become an accounts receivable assistant

According to the BLS, most accounting and bookkeeping clerks, including accounts receivable assistants, can get by with a high school diploma and some on-the-job training, but employers increasingly prefer to hire those with some formal training. Associate degrees or certificates from accredited accounts receivable assistant schools or training programs are ideal. Those working in the field who want to boost their personal employment stock while keeping their day jobs could pursue accounts receivable assistant training online, or through accounts receivable assistant schools that offer flexible scheduling.

Career outlook for accounts receivable assistants

As noted above, demand for accounts receivable assistants can actually grow during times of economic decline or unemployment. According to the BLS, positions among all bookkeeping and accounting clerks, including accounts receivable specialists, are expected to grow by about 10 percent between 2008 and 2018, though demand for specialized accounts receivable associates may be even higher.

For more career guidance from Schools.com, see:

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