The general ledger clerk position is accountable for creating journal entries and assembling supporting documentation, as well as for tracking the contents of accounts , creating portions of the financial statements , and writing related disclosures. The job description for a general ledger accountant is essentially the same, perhaps implying a somewhat higher level of experience or seniority than the clerk title.

Related AccountingTools Courses

Accountants’ Guidebook

Bookkeeper Education Bundle

Bookkeeping Guidebook

Principal Accountabilities

• Maintain a list of monthly journal entries . This is critical for ensuring that the monthly closing process is completed correctly, with all journal entries completed.

• Record journal entry supporting information . The clerk should prepare complete documentation of the reasons for each journal entry, including supporting calculations. This is needed by the auditors when they are reviewing the year-end financial statements.

• Enter all journal entries . The clerk is responsible for the entry of all journal entries into the accounting system. This concentrates responsibility with one person.

• Ensure that reversing entries occur . The clerk should track all entries designated as reversing, to ensure that the original entry was flushed out of the system in the following period.

• Create recurring journal entry templates . The clerk maintains a set of journal entry templates that are reused whenever the same transaction is entered. Doing so reduces the time required to complete journal entries, and increases their accuracy.

• Maintain account listings . The clerk maintains descriptions of all general ledger accounts and approves the addition of new ones. The intent is to only have a focused set of accounts that reflect company activities.

• Assist auditors with journal entry examinations . The clerk retrieves journal entry documentation as requested by auditors, and provides them with additional explanations as needed.

• Assist in the production of financial statements . The clerk is a central figure in closing the books, and assists the controller with many closing activities.

• Assist in writing SEC disclosures and supporting tables. The clerk may assist a senior accountant in preparing certain disclosures that accompany the financial statements.

Desired Qualifications

3+ years of general ledger experience. Bachelor's degree in business or accounting preferred.  Must be detail oriented.

Supervises

None