Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 13 of 28 tasks
Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 7.2% of the role's time · $5.4B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Code documents according to company procedures.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.4% of the role's time · $3.3B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Perform financial calculations, such as amounts due, interest charges, balances, discounts, equity, and principal.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.2% of the role's time · $3.2B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Compare computer printouts to manually maintained journals to determine if they match.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.0% of the role's time · $3.1B · all three pass it
Match order forms with invoices, and record the necessary information.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.9% of the role's time · $2.9B · all three pass it
Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.6% of the role's time · $2.7B · all three pass it
Debit, credit, and total accounts on computer spreadsheets and databases, using specialized accounting software.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.5% of the role's time · $2.6B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Classify, record, and summarize numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records, using journals and ledgers or computers.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 3.1% of the role's time · $2.4B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Calculate, prepare, and issue bills, invoices, account statements, and other financial statements according to established procedures.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.7% of the role's time · $2.0B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Monitor status of loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.5% of the role's time · $1.9B · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Transfer details from separate journals to general ledgers or data processing sheets.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.1% of the role's time · $1.6B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Reconcile records of bank transactions.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 1.9% of the role's time · $1.5B · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Prepare trial balances of books.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 0.9% of the role's time · $675M · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 9.6% of the role's time · $7.3B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
physical work, outside the screen · 9.0% of the role's time · $6.8B
Perform general office duties, such as filing, answering telephones, and handling routine correspondence.
physical work, outside the screen · 7.7% of the role's time · $5.8B
Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 5.7% of the role's time · $4.3B
Access computerized financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.0% of the role's time · $3.0B · waiting on a check
Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
physical work, outside the screen · 3.9% of the role's time · $3.0B
Prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to banks.
physical work, outside the screen · 3.0% of the role's time · $2.3B
Calculate and prepare checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 3.0% of the role's time · $2.3B · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Compile statistical, financial, accounting, or auditing reports and tables pertaining to such matters as cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivable, and profits and losses.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.1% of the role's time · $1.6B · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Prepare purchase orders and expense reports.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.7% of the role's time · $1.3B · waiting on a check
Calculate costs of materials, overhead, and other expenses, based on estimates, quotations and price lists.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.7% of the role's time · $1.3B · passed by Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Prepare and process payroll information.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and a failure is too expensive · 1.5% of the role's time · $1.1B
Compile budget data and documents, based on estimated revenues and expenses and previous budgets.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 1.5% of the role's time · $1.1B · waiting on a check
Maintain inventory records.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.2% of the role's time · $886M
Complete and submit tax forms and returns, workers' compensation forms, pension contribution forms, and other government documents.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 0.5% of the role's time · $347M
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | 104,280 | $5.3B | $2.3B | $615M |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 78,670 | $4.2B | $1.9B | $485M |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 62,390 | $3.4B | $1.5B | $386M |
| Real Estate | 53,180 | $2.9B | $1.3B | $328M |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 41,780 | $2.2B | $988M | $258M |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 39,680 | $2.1B | $918M | $240M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 31,610 | $1.6B | $725M | $190M |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | 30,610 | $1.5B | $675M | $177M |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 27,690 | $1.5B | $667M | $175M |
| Office Administrative Services | 26,380 | $1.4B | $614M | $161M |