Description

Accounts assistants play an essential role in any accounting firm or business. They are an integral part of the group that is accountable for the management of the financials of the business and usually report directly to the accountant or finance manager. In a typical day, the job of an accountant assistant is the balancing of books to ensure that the records and payment information is accurate and working with sales personnel on upcoming and current projects. There are a variety of other duties they may encounter, such as managing and writing checks, processing sales orders, creating the statutory accounts and preparing invoices. The job is usually performed during business hours however there could be some special instances where the accounts assistant will be required to assist the accountant or the financial manager in completing a crucial deadlines.

Accounting assistants typically work in an office, and often utilize computers. The typical accountant assistant's work space will also have a lot of folders and files. Computers typically have accounting software as well as sensitive financial data about the business.

The accountant's assistant should be able to comprehend accounting concepts, as well as good organization skills, and usually an accounting certification.

Roles & Responsibilities

Some roles and responsibilities of an Account Assistant are:

  • Ensuring timely payment to vendors and processing invoices on the accounting system.
  • Raising invoices and ensuring timely collection of payments from customers.
  • Reconciling bank statements with accounting records to identify discrepancies and resolving them.
  • Entering financial data into the accounting system, maintaining the general ledger, and preparing financial reports.

Qualifications & Work Experience

Major educational qualifications required for Accounts Assistant are:

  • Minimum, at a minimum, an Associate's Degree in accounting, Bookkeeping finance, Accounting, or a similar area.
  • A bachelor's degree is preferred.
  • A comparable combination of training, education, and experience is acceptable.
  • Relevant financial knowledge.
  • Expert in advanced understanding about Microsoft Office Applications, including Excel.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Attention to precision and detail.

Essential Skills For Accounts Assistant

1

Accounting

2

Ledger Accounting

3

Reporting

Skills That Affect Accounts Assistant Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Accounting

15%

Ledger Accounting

6%

Reporting

25%

Career Prospects

Here are four alternative job roles for someone with 0-3 years of experience working as an Accounts Assistant in India:

  • Entry-Level Accountant: For anyone with a keen interest in pursuing a career in accounting, working as an entry-level accountant can be a rewarding experience.
  • Bookkeeping assistant: For those who are more interested in the day-to-day financial management of a business, working as a bookkeeping assistant can be a great way to gain experience.
  • Accounts Payable Clerk: For someone who is interested in handling vendor payments and maintaining the general ledger of a company, an Accounts Payable Clerk role can be an excellent fit.
  • Financial Analyst: For those with a more analytical mindset, gaining experience as a financial analyst can help build skills in forecasting, planning and budgeting.

These roles provide individuals with a chance to develop specialized skills, gain valuable work experience and explore various paths in the accounting and finance industry.

How to Learn

The role of Accounts Assistant in India is projected to grow at a steady pace in the coming years. According to a report by IBISWorld, the Accounting Services industry in India has grown at an annualized rate of 7.1% over the past five years. This growth is expected to continue, with a projected annualized growth rate of 6.1% over the next ten years. This indicates a positive outlook for the role of Accounts Assistant, as the demand for accounting services continues to increase. With this growth, there will be ample employment opportunities available, as the industry expands.