Don't waste your money and time on Accounting Clerk Certificate.

Don't take the Accounting Clerk Certificate program....it will get you NADA!
The college makes it sound like you can just go straight to work after your courses....WRONG!
I decided to take some courses from a community college and get an Accounting Clerk Certificate, so I spent a year studying hard, hoping I could get some kind of job..but nothing.
Nobody wants to hire without at least 5 years experience.
It's a joke.
My opinion.

I was just looking at the program at the community college near me. I've been in the legal field for 27 years and want out. During that time, I've been an Office Manager, responsible for the firm AR/AP and client billing. Does that count as experience?

Well, it's probably a good move for someone who has some experience behind them, and it sounds like you do, but if you just want a career change...it's a gamble.

That's what I thought. So many fields claim to have lots of jobs...it keeps the teachers employed.

Years ago, I wanted to go into nursing. Unfortunately, I'm too advanced in years now. There are still tons of jobs in nursing.

Deborah James in Alameda, California said: That's what I thought. So many fields claim to have lots of jobs...it keeps the teachers employed.

Years ago, I wanted to go into nursing. Unfortunately, I'm too advanced in years now. There are still tons of jobs in nursing.

Deborah,

Yes, your experience in A/R, A/P and client billing does count. Just because you did not have the title does not mean that you did not do the work. If you were an Office Manager with accounting responsibilities, you could also apply for many Bookkeeper positions. Go through the jobs with Bookkeeper titles, you will be amazed at how much of these responsiblities you have already done. Although you may not qualify for a "Full-Charge Bookkeeper," you could easily apply to many of the so called entry level bookkeeping positions.

Also, when crafting your resume, put more of your accounting responsibilities on it instead of the legal or administrative responsibilities. In your case, it would be good to have legal, administrative , and accounting resumes. ( And if you also had Human Resources responsibilities within your capacity as Office Manager, craft a Human Resources resume as well.) Highlight and show employers how your experience matches to the job that they are advertising. You do not need to go into detail about all of your experience when apply to individual jobs.

You have a lot of good experience! Good luck!

I took a Quickbooks course at a local technical college, but I don't believe I have what it takes to be an accounting clerk, (accounts payable or receivable)when I look at the job descriptions, let alone find a job as an accounting clerk. I did take an accounting class in high school and passed with a Grade 1 at CXC level....but I am still unsure of what to do. I am still on the path to discovering my true purpose for being on this planet at this time. Most of my time is spent pursuing some of my internet interests, and reading on self discovery and hopefully turning my interests into income....

I am currently unemployed like millions of others in this country. Unfortunately our state is now second in the nation for unemployment. In 2001 I was able to work as an accounts payable clerk for about four months and really liked the work. The only reason I was there for four months was because the company got bought out and they decided to move all of the accounting to another location. So we were told either find a job somewhere else within the company or get a job somewhere else in the community. I was lucky that I was able to transfer to another job within the company to stay employed. Now that I am unemployed because the company filed bankruptcy I have the opportunity to go back to school and get a degree in Accounting. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on getting through the schooling and what to do when I have completed it? I too have thought maybe just getting the certificate instead of the degree. Just wondering what anyone else would think.

I worked for 7 years as a Church Administrator. Now, I am unemployed and taking courses towards an Accounting Clerk Certificate at Adult Education. The coursework is great and you really can learn a whole lot! Well, I prefer getting the Certificate because it's faster than working towards a degree. True, most employers do want potential employees to have some experience. But, there are also a lot of entry level positions out there!

I have worked as an accounting clerk, then an office manager (AR, AP, Payroll), then an accounting clerk again over the last 10 years and it has been VERY difficult for me to find a job. I know MAS90 for DOS and Windows and Great Plains Dynamics. My last 5 years were in mortgage, so people think that if you don't have recent experience in accounting that you don't know it! Its a joke.

"over the last 10 years" should have read "for 10 years"

the information was very usefull

Don't know what is going on.
I graduated in December of 2009 with AAS in Accounting with GPA 4.0 and have an award " Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year"
Nobody needs a streight A's brilliant student!
I do have one year part-time experience doing bookkeeping and payroll at two tax firms with perfect referenses...nobody cares! what is wrong with this world????? I feel like I should just flash my diploma in a toilet. I do stupid cash office job at the retail store now and can't even get bank teller job!!!! that is ridiculous!

Olga, dont feel that way about your diploma. Everyone is having a tuff time finding that "dream" job. Even ppl with degrees and experience. Just keep searching, and youll find something. Praise Him for letting you have a job with some income and experience while job searching cuz many job seekers have no employment.

Are flexible? Will you move if an opportunity arises? What are you looking for? Do you have a certain company in mind? Will you start at lower pay than you hoped for just to get your foot in the door?

It's same here. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, graduated Cum Laude & have worked as a Jr. Accountant for over 2 yrs in the Philippines before coming here to USA. I have been applying for nearly 2 yrs now, unfortunately still no luck. Now, I have no choice but to work temp as a bakery clerk at a retail store. I also went schooling & got my certificate as a CNA just in case I'll shift career into nursing later on but no one even bothers to hire because they said I don't have an experience. I don't know what else to do?, I'm so dissapointed right now. Just recently, I've been sending lots of applications online like what I have done before...still for my dream job as an Accountant. Hopefuly this time, God will hear my prayers.

I say, it's not what you know but who you know. That's how you get ahead, especially in the corporate world. It's all about kissing the right ass or being on someone's buddy list to get an opportunity. I've had an Accounting Clerk certificate for over a year now, and havn't been able to get any entry level positions. The job the I currently got laid off on didn't present an opportunity for me despite me telling them numerous time that I have a certificate. It all depends on who's doing the hiring and if they have a need for your services.

bishop79 in Dallas, Texas said: I say, it's not what you know but who you know. That's how you get ahead, especially in the corporate world. It's all about kissing the right ass or being on someone's buddy list to get an opportunity. I've had an Accounting Clerk certificate for over a year now, and havn't been able to get any entry level positions. The job the I currently got laid off on didn't present an opportunity for me despite me telling them numerous time that I have a certificate. It all depends on who's doing the hiring and if they have a need for your services.

Get to know ppl. Volunteer, go to luncheons. Sitting online applying to jobs is not going to help. Most of the jobs are already filled when they get to the job board.

red_stilleto in Chicago, Illinois said: It's same here. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, graduated Cum Laude & have worked as a Jr. Accountant for over 2 yrs in the Philippines before coming here to USA. I have been applying for nearly 2 yrs now, unfortunately still no luck. Now, I have no choice but to work temp as a bakery clerk at a retail store. I also went schooling & got my certificate as a CNA just in case I'll shift career into nursing later on but no one even bothers to hire because they said I don't have an experience. I don't know what else to do?, I'm so dissapointed right now. Just recently, I've been sending lots of applications online like what I have done before...still for my dream job as an Accountant. Hopefuly this time, God will hear my prayers.

He'll hear. Keep trying. A CNA is a good thing to have.

Olga in Belleville, Illinois said:

Don't know what is going on.
I graduated in December of 2009 with AAS in Accounting with GPA 4.0 and have an award " Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year"
Nobody needs a streight A's brilliant student!
I do have one year part-time experience doing bookkeeping and payroll at two tax firms with perfect referenses...nobody cares! what is wrong with this world????? I feel like I should just flash my diploma in a toilet. I do stupid cash office job at the retail store now and can't even get bank teller job!!!! that is ridiculous!

I really feel for you. Unfortunately, I am in the same position, I have taken over 18 hours of undergraduate accounting classes on top in addition to my BS degree. I am now taking master level classes in Accounting and feel depressed and worthless. Now if I taking my graduate level classes, I will have to pay back the students loans; I don't have job!! I just don't get it! I don't know what field to go into! The entry level accounting clerk jobs want 5 year experience; how is that entry level?? I don't know whether to continue taking graduate school classes or just bailing out...I'm single, older female and for the first time I simply don't know what to do...

marisole in Memphis, Tennessee said: Olga, dont feel that way about your diploma. Everyone is having a tuff time finding that "dream" job. Even ppl with degrees and experience. Just keep searching, and youll find something. Praise Him for letting you have a job with some income and experience while job searching cuz many job seekers have no employment.

Are flexible? Will you move if an opportunity arises? What are you looking for? Do you have a certain company in mind? Will you start at lower pay than you hoped for just to get your foot in the door?

I don't need a "dream job" I just need a job! I gave up a long time ago in finding a dream job.

I don't want a "dream job" just a job!

I've got all the training and the skills and experience thanks to my previous job to work as an accounting clerk, which is something I would love because I like working with numbers and everything. I'm detail oriented, proficient in QuickBooks and a problem solver. I just don't have the Associates or the Baschlor's degree.

In todays changing time long degree courses won't help you. Go for short courses that are in demand. other wise you are just wasting your time.

Hopefully, I don't want to be thinking I'm wasting my time, because I just started online courses in January to earn my Associates in Accounting and as I'm doing it I can continue to look for work. I want have more than just those Certificates, ever since I got out of high school I have not stopped learning.