Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks held about 1.8 million jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks were as follows:
Professional, scientific, and technical services
12%
Retail trade
9
Wholesale trade
7
Healthcare and social assistance
7
Finance and insurance
7
The professional, scientific, and technical services industry includes the accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services sub-industry.
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks work in offices. Bookkeepers who work for multiple firms may visit their clients' places of business. They often work alone, but sometimes they collaborate with accountants, managers, and auditing clerks from other departments.
Work Schedules
Many bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks work full time. About 1 in 4 worked part time in 2014. They may work additional hours to meet deadlines at the end of the fiscal year, during tax time, or when monthly or yearly accounting audits are done. Those who work in hotels, restaurants, and stores may put in overtime during peak holiday and vacation seasons.