![[X]](http://www.schools.com/images/templates/tv/icons/grey-x-10px.gif "Close prompt"){kind=icon}
SUBSCRIBE
E-MAILAccounts receivable clerk salary & career outlook
by Aimee Hosler | July 5, 2011
How do accounts receivable clerks affect a company's bottom line? Boosting earnings and limiting waste are crucial tasks that require skilled business professionals to track revenue and ensure funds are being properly managed. Accounts receivable clerks specifically process and track incoming payments, sending invoices or statements, if needed. They may also handle overdue accounts, process credit applications and manage credit information about customers. This position offers a lot of room for growth, both in terms of earnings and advancement potential.
Accounts receivable clerk salary: 2010 and 2011 overview
Accounts receivable clerks are entry-level workers, so they tend to earn less than more advanced accounting professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes accounts receivable clerks in the data for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks. The median annual salary for these clerks in 2010 was $34,030 with the middle 50 percent earning between $27,040 and $42,180, and the top 10 percent in excess of $51,470. The BLS notes that the U.S. Postal Service and securities firms tend to pay the most.
For accounts receivable clerks, Salary.com reports a comparable $33,268 on average for 2011. Meanwhile, Glassdoor.com, a company that tracks real employer salary data, lists earnings ranging from about $25,000 to $36,000, depending on the company.
Note, however, that these figures are entry-level estimates: Training and experience can impact earnings considerably. According to Salary.com, accounts receivable clerks can become senior clerks, supervisors and, eventually, accounting managers, a position requiring a bachelor's degree. Accounting managers earned a notable median salary of $74,775 in 2011 with the top 10 percent earning in excess of $98,627.
Where you live can also impact your earnings. The BLS reports that the following states offered the highest salaries in 2010 for accounting clerks, including accounts receivable specialists:
- District of Columbia
- Connecticut
- Alaska
But while baseline earnings are important, you should also consider living costs when estimating salary potential. According to 2010 information provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research, the following areas are among the most lucrative relative to cost of living:
- Los Alamos County, N.M.
- Lake County, Iowa
- Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minn.
Perhaps the biggest salary driver for accounts receivable clerks, however, is education: You simply cannot advance through the ranks without the right training.
How to become an accounts receivable clerk
Entry-level clerks require minimal training, but formal education through accounts receivable clerk schools and programs can open the doors to advancement. According to the BLS, most employers require only a high school diploma for new clerks, but prefer those with a two-year accounting-related degree. Those who wish to advance to senior or managerial positions must earn at least a bachelor's degree.
As modern accounting is increasingly computer-based, more programs than ever offer accounts receivable clerk training online. Online training is a convenient solution if you are a professional already in the field and want to advance your education while working.
Career outlook
When it comes to demand for accounts receivable clerks, some worry that computer automation making accounting processes more efficient will allow companies to get by with fewer professionals. Fortunately, the BLS notes that this is a large industry with a lot of turnaround, stabilizing demand overall. The BLS projects that positions among accounting clerks, including accounts receivable clerks, should grow by a solid 10 percent between 2008 and 2018.
