Accountants and Auditors
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
Approved comparison
Accountants and Auditors vs. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
A structured comparison of two occupations. The data makes differences visible; it does not select a universal winner.
Accountants and Auditors median wage, 2025
$83,680
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks median wage, 2025
$50,670
Separate signals
What the evidence says
Projected change and relative AI exposure describe different dimensions of work. Read them together without turning either into a personal forecast.
Labor market
- Projected employment change, 2025–2035
- 5% vs. -5.6%
- Annual average openings, 2025–2035
- 115,300 vs. 144,100
Relative AI exposure
Accountants and Auditors: Very high
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: Very high
These are BLS relative categories, not automation probabilities or employment forecasts.
Preparation
What entry may require
These source fields describe typical entry preparation for an occupation, not a guarantee or a complete list of local requirements.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Typical entry education
- Some college, no degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Where they overlap
Shared O*NET skill names in these records include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics, Science.
Shared work activities
Getting Information, Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information, Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People.
Where they differ
Accountants and Auditors representative tasks
- Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
- Process invoices for payment.
- Review accounts for discrepancies and reconcile differences.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks representative tasks
- Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
- Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
Questions to consider
- Which daily tasks fit the kind of work you want to do?
- What education, experience, or licensing gaps need verification?
- How do pay and projected change compare in the same source period?
- What does relative AI exposure leave unanswered about each role?
Ask JobShift
Ask Dr. Morgan Reed about this evidence
Morgan is the JobShift Atlas analyst powered by AI. Answers draw from the evidence on this page and explain what it can tell you.
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