A Financial Clerk might be expected to function as a Payroll Clerk and therefore
should be responsible and trustworthy with the company’s cash wages. Usually such
Clerks are expected to undergo a certain number of basic security checks and answer
questions concerned with personal reliability. Financial Clerks in key roles within
an organisation are expected to be extremely punctual for obvious reasons, otherwise
the entire company might be kept waiting for vital financial transactions resulting
in loss of profit.
Work Environment
The working environment of a Financial Clerk might be expected to be comfortable
as most work in offices or open plan arrangements alongside executives and accountants.
Working hours tend to be between 30 and 40 hours per week and are spent in offices,
often behind a desk.
Employment Opportunities
Financial Clerk opportunities might always be expected to be decent, but in an economic
downturn it is more likely that some Financial Clerks working in institutions could
be made redundant and more efficient members of the job group given extra responsibility
to take up the shortfall. The government sector employs a huge number of Financial
Clerks, especially in the Health Service which is the biggest employment sector.
Job stability is more likely in this market.
How much does a Financial Clerk make - Financial Clerk Salary and Wages
The Financial Clerk salary range is usually between is usually between $27,000 and
$40,000 per annum. Those who land larger contracts or are employed by the government
fall in the upper portion of that scale. Typically, pay increases based on experience
as that is when most people seek advancement and higher paying contracts. Those
who do advance usually make more money by entering into a different career field.
How to become a Financial Clerk
Educational and Training
Financial Clerk qualificationsat basic level would be a High School Diploma, but
someone working in this job group might expect to earn considerably more with a
certification in Book Keeping and Accounting. Members of the field must take Financial
Clerk courses to ensure that they are properly trained, and these courses involve
the specific sector of the career that they are wishing to enter. The ability to
reconcile figures and a natural flair for efficient organisation is always a plus
for a Financial Clerk. Ideally, Financial Clerk skills should include the ability
to pay meticulous attention to detail, run an organised desk and be extremely numerate.
A Financial Clerk would be expected to run a great number of checks against information
provided and therefore would require concentration and the ability to spot anomalies.
Advancement
The possibilities for advancement for a Financial Clerk lay within the working environment
they have chosen. Financial Clerks working in insurance companies might progress
to become brokers or ultimately consultants. In a bank or other financial institution
a Financial Clerk might study for further certification and become an accountant
or a specialised Payroll Clerk for a large corporation, which pays significantly
better.