This program prepares students for positions in business with a specialty in accounting and a major emphasis in office systems.

Nature of Work
Accounting personnel act as an organization's clerical help and have a specialty as financial record keepers. They may handle all aspects of financial transactions. They record debits and credits, compare current and past balance sheets, summarize details of separate ledgers, and prepare reports for supervisors and managers. They may also prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts. Other positions may require them to directly work with patients or customers.

Jobs
Bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, cashier, and auditing clerks, customer service representatives, interviewing clerks, loan clerks, and credit authorizers.

Employers
Various places of employment include small and large businesses, financial institutions, credit bureaus. hospitals, doctor's offices, and health-care related facilities. In 1996, about 25% of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks were in wholesale and retail trade and 34% were in organizations providing business, health, educational, and social services.

Outlook
Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is expected to decline through 2006. Virtually all job openings will result from replacement needs.

Earnings
Locally, the wage average is $7.27/hr for entry level positions to a maximum of $13..04/hr. Illinois reports wages at $17,742-$25,894/yr. Nationally, median earnings are at $20,700/yr.

Tech Prep
Accounting Office Personnel is currently designed for Tech Prep. Students in High School should contact their High School Counselor.

Earnings vary greatly according to location, experience, and individual.