Accounting assistants will assist the accountant by maintaining accurate records of daily transactions, payroll, inventories, accounts payable and accounts receivable. They may assist in the preparation of financial statements and compile financial data. Sometimes accounting assistants are called upon to perform basic office responsibilities such as handling the mail, answering the telephone, typing correspondence and assisting customers. There is room for advancement as an accounting assistant. As skills grow assistants can be advanced to full-charge bookkeeper, manager or supervisor. Some companies have different classifications of accounting assistants based on experience.

• An entry level assistant would perform basic job duties while learning procedures, process and methods of the work
• An intermediate assistant builds on entry level skills by working on assignments that develop skills
• An assistant at the experienced level performs a wide variety of assignments and is able to make decisions and judgments based on policies and procedures
• Advanced level assistants are the lead worker and oversee the work of others

Obtaining an accounting assistant certificate can be done in one or two full-time semesters. Programs will prepare the student according to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in processing financial information. The student will also learn to prepare payroll and tax reports as well as use computerized accounting programs.