Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is projected to decline 8 percent from 2014 to 2024.

Technological change is expected to reduce demand for these workers. Software improvements, such as cloud computing, have automated many of the tasks performed by bookkeepers. As a result, bookkeepers will increasingly be hired on a contract basis through third party bookkeeping firms, rather than being held on staff. 

Demand for bookkeeping is tied particularly to the growth of small businesses, which tend to hire bookkeepers rather than accountants due to their relatively lower cost. Therefore, economic growth should create some openings for bookkeepers to keep these organizations' financial records. 

Job Prospects

Because bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks make up a large occupation, there will be a large number of job openings from workers leaving the occupation. Thus, opportunities to enter the occupation should be plentiful.