Every business needs someone keeping track of the money. Invoices have to be paid, payroll has to run on time, taxes have to be filed, and financial records have to be accurate enough to survive an audit. That constant need is what makes accounting one of the most stable career fields you can enter, in good economies and bad ones.
It is also more accessible than most people assume. You don’t need to be a CPA, and you don’t need a four-year degree to land your first role. Plenty of entry-level accounting jobs are open to candidates with practical skills, a solid grasp of accounting fundamentals, and comfort with accounting software.
This guide breaks down seven entry-level accounting jobs, what each one pays, the skills employers screen for, and a clear plan for getting hired.
Before diving into specific roles, here is why so many career changers are choosing accounting:
If you are still figuring out which corner of the field fits you best, our guide to the different types of accounting is a helpful starting point.
What they do: Bookkeepers record a company’s daily financial transactions, including sales, purchases, receipts, and payments. They reconcile bank statements, maintain the general ledger, and often prepare basic financial reports for owners or accountants.
Where they work: small and midsize businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits, and as independent freelancers serving multiple clients.
Why it is a great starting point: bookkeeping teaches you how money actually moves through a business. That foundation makes every future accounting role easier to learn.
Average salary: $43,826
What they do: Accounting clerks support the accounting department with data entry, recording transactions, filing, reconciling accounts, and preparing reports. The role is broad by design, giving you exposure to multiple accounting functions.
Where they work: mid-size and large companies, government agencies, hospitals, and universities.
Why it is a great starting point: clerks see a little bit of everything, which helps you discover whether you prefer payables, payroll, tax, or general accounting.
Average salary (Accounting Clerk I): $42,887
What they do: Accounts payable (AP) specialists process vendor invoices, verify purchase orders, and schedule payments. Accounts receivable (AR) specialists handle the other side: billing customers, tracking incoming payments, and following up on overdue accounts.
Where they work: nearly every organization large enough to have a dedicated accounting team.
Why it is a great starting point: AP and AR roles build precision and process discipline, and they are among the most frequently posted entry-level accounting jobs.
Average salary (Accounts Payable Clerk I): $44,854
What they do: Payroll specialists make sure employees are paid correctly and on time. That includes calculating wages, processing deductions and withholdings, managing benefits contributions, and staying compliant with federal and state payroll tax rules.
Where they work: HR and accounting departments, payroll service providers, and staffing companies.
Why it is a great starting point: payroll combines accounting, compliance, and people operations, and it pays well relative to other entry-level roles. It also overlaps with human resources, a related path covered in CIAT’s AAS in Human Resources Management.
Average salary: $59,008
What they do: Junior accountants (sometimes titled Accountant I or staff accountant) prepare journal entries, assist with month-end and year-end close, reconcile accounts, and help produce financial statements under senior accountants’ guidance.
Where they work: corporate accounting departments, public accounting firms, and government finance offices.
Why it is a great starting point: this is the most direct on-ramp to a long-term accounting career, and it builds the analytical skills you need to move into senior or specialized roles.
Average salary (Accountant I): $62,258
What they do: Tax preparation assistants help prepare individual and business tax returns, gather client documentation, organize financial records, and support tax professionals during filing season.
Where they work: tax preparation firms, CPA firms, and accounting practices, often with heavy seasonal hiring before tax deadlines.
Why it is a great starting point: tax skills are always in demand, and seasonal roles are an excellent way to gain experience quickly. With experience, many tax assistants advance into tax accountant roles, where Salary.com reports an average of $66,713 for a Tax Accountant I.
What they do: Auditing assistants help review financial records for accuracy and compliance. They test transactions, document findings, verify internal controls, and support auditors during internal or external audits.
Where they work: public accounting firms, corporate internal audit departments, and government agencies.
Why it is a great starting point: auditing sharpens your attention to detail and exposes you to how entire organizations operate. Experienced auditing staff often move into internal auditor roles, where Salary.com reports an average of $67,648 for an Internal Auditor I.
| Entry-Level Role | Average Salary (U.S.) | Typical Next Step |
| Bookkeeper | $43,826 | Full-charge bookkeeper, staff accountant |
| Accounting Clerk I | $42,887 | Senior clerk, junior accountant |
| Accounts Payable Clerk I | $44,854 | AP/AR lead, staff accountant |
| Payroll Specialist | $59,008 | Payroll manager, payroll accountant |
| Accountant I (Junior Accountant) | $62,258 | Senior accountant, accounting manager |
| Tax Accountant I | $66,713 | Senior tax accountant, tax manager |
| Internal Auditor I | $67,648 | Senior auditor, audit manager |
*Salary data referenced in this post is sourced from Salary.com.
Pay varies by location, company size, industry, and experience. Certifications, software skills, and a formal accounting credential can all push offers higher.
Entry-level accounting job postings tend to ask for the same core skills. Building these is the fastest way to become a competitive candidate.
Employers want proof that you understand how accounting actually works. A structured education gives you that proof quickly. Focus on programs that cover introductory accounting, computerized accounting tools, payroll, taxation, and auditing, since those map directly to the roles above.
We walk through this in more detail in our guide on how to start a career in accounting without a four-year degree.
Software skills often decide who gets the interview. Many entry-level postings list QuickBooks or Excel proficiency as a requirement. Practicing with real accounting tools during your training gives you specific, resume-ready skills instead of vague claims.
Credentials can help you stand out when you do not have work history yet. Popular options for early-career accounting professionals include software certifications such as QuickBooks certification and bookkeeping credentials offered by professional associations. Choose credentials that match the role you are targeting and confirm current requirements with the issuing organization.
You can build experience before your first accounting job by:
Lead with your accounting education, software skills, and any credentials. Then describe your experience using specific, measurable language. “Reconciled monthly bank statements for a 30-employee nonprofit using QuickBooks” is far stronger than “helped with finances.”
If you came from customer service, retail, administrative work, or the military, highlight transferable skills like accuracy, cash handling, recordkeeping, and meeting deadlines.
One of the best things about accounting is how clearly the career ladder is defined:
Along the way, many professionals branch into related fields. Some move into financial analysis (see how to become a financial analyst), some specialize in management accounting, and others pursue additional education toward a bachelor’s degree and CPA licensure. Not sure whether accounting or finance is the better fit? Our breakdown of finance vs. accounting compares the two.
Not always. Many bookkeeping, clerk, AP/AR, and payroll positions are open to candidates without a bachelor’s degree. However, employers increasingly prefer candidates with formal accounting training, and junior accountant roles often list an associate or bachelor’s degree as preferred.
An associate degree is a practical middle ground. It gives you an accredited credential employers recognize, covers the accounting skills entry-level roles require, and takes a fraction of the time of a traditional four-year program.
CIAT’s Associate of Applied Science in Accounting is built around exactly these entry-level roles. The 64-credit program can be completed in one to two years and includes coursework in:
The program prepares graduates for roles including bookkeeper, accounting clerk, accounts payable and receivable specialist, payroll specialist, junior accountant, tax preparation assistant, and auditing assistant: the same seven jobs covered in this guide. You can explore related options on CIAT’s business programs page.
Cost is a real concern for career changers, and there are several ways to make training more affordable:
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