Accounting Receptionist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: I am majoring in business accounting. Will I, as a male, make it as an accountant receptionist? I am majoring in business accounting and currently going to college. I see in my experience that most accountant receptionist (or any clerical positions) many of them are female. Why is that and is there any way I can avoid that?

Answer: Not sure what country that you are in but it maybe pretty universal. Clerical positions are usually people without degrees. There is a need for attention to detail and precision. Women do tend to be better at detail work.

Question: Where did you job as a receptionist take you? Hi I'm a receptionist for a small accounting firm in Australia looking to broaden my career horizons. I'm just wondering if there are any women out there who started out in similar positions and now hold better paid/ more respected jobs. How did you get there? What training did you take on? How often were you promoted?

Answer: Started as receptionist/typist in 1986. now certified legal assistant. Pay attention to details, know what people do in the office, offer to help any way you can, be willing to learn, share new ideas..

Question: For a person without much experience,and significanly disabled, is receptionist the only entry level job? I've looked in websites, company websites seem to have only high skill jobs.. Newspaper has alot of Receptionists and Accounting ... I have usually done General Office jobs, and clerical type jobs , and i don't really have much experience with phones . I'm struggling to find work now, and i don't really want to do receptionist jobs, but seems the only thing to do, however,, since i'm not good at speaking and receptionist have to be OUTGOING and all that crap, then i guess i can't do it . What kind of job, that is not physically demanding, being that i'm kind of disabled( knees, ear damage) and doesn't require you to be excellent and fast at speaking could I do? I'm a bit slow too, get confused with language and don't understand concepts that other people easily understand BUT companies only want people who are fast with language. It's harddd.. help? i'm 26 male.

Answer: You don't say what kind of salary you require. Someplace you could try contacting would be Goodwill Industries. They work with disabled persons to find them employment, and I believe job training, though I could be mistaken on that. Wal-Mart also has a good reputation for hiring disabled persons. You could try contacting your local Workforce Development Center. They may be able to help you find employers that do not advertise in newspapers and that have the openings you're looking for. You could also try contacting staffing agencies and asking about the likelihood of placement for someone with your requirements. I hope some of these help you, or lead you to something that does. Good luck.

Question: What do Administrative Assistants do in Accounting firms? What are the job duties/responsibilities of an Administrative Assistant in a small accounting firm. I have a friend who is applying for her first position as a receptionist/administrative assistant in an accounting/consulting firm and she would like to know this before the big interview.

Answer: There's a very good chance she'll be working with several accountants within the firm and not just one. The position will be very challenging. As a receptionist/administrative assistant, she'll: 1. Sit at the main desk where visitors are greeted 2. Operate the telephone system, transferring calls and taking messages 3. Juggle typing assignments for accountants who believe their work should be done first 4. Edit the same information lots of times, especially if typing accounting reports 5. Stand next to her desk answering phones when someone else in authority temporarily sits in her assigned chair 6. Sign for packages 7. Possibly work late nights during tax season 8. Order lunches, birthday cakes, and office supplies 9. Schedule conference room meetings 10. Act as therapist to spouses who call but do not receive an immediate return call from their husband/wife These are all of the duties and situations I remember when I worked at two accounting firms, so tell your friend to take this list of duties with a grain of salt until she's told by the supervisor exactly what her duties will be. Meanwhile, this list provides her with information to ask questions so she can find out what she's not being told during the interview. Please note that my candidness is not meant to scare your friend. I believe in being totally honest about what's involved so that an applicant knows exactly what can and does occur in an office. Good luck to your friend. Shirley George Frazier Author and Small Business Expert

Question: Is it possible for me to volunteer at an accounting office while I have full-time job? I am in college for Accounting. I work as a full-time receptionist and I do very little accounting work (just mailing invoices). I could really use this volunteer opportunity because I will graduate with my bachelors degree in July 2010. What do you guys/girls think?

Answer: Check with the accounting firms in your area, ask about internships.If you are in college, many offer college credits for summer interns.

Question: Revenge ideas? I got a job at a small accounting firm, and was so happy. The receptionist, "Brunhilda" who... ...who is pretty ugly was infatuated with the boss, "Leo." I had no interest in Leo, who is a married man. Still, Brunhilda wanted me gone so bad she could taste it. Every time I made a mistake, Brunhilda would run and tell Leo. She would also go into Leo's office and make fun of me and laugh at things I said. Well, soon after, I was fired. Leo said that he loved my work ethic and professionalism, but had made mistakes (which were overblown by Brunhilda). What are some good revenge ideas to give Brunhilda what she deserves.

Answer: Kill her with kindness. She isn't worth your time or energy. I came from the same situation about one year ago. There are puppets in every place of business that pull the strings of the ones that matter. It still irks my old boss when I see her that I am so nice and friendly. If it's not appearing to bother you, it's really bothering them. I resigned due to the very same reason you were fired. However, in the past I sent (as being an accountant myself), I sent a book to a girl I trained to replace me, "Accounting for Dummies". It was hilarious. She had been talking about me behind my back to other employees. So, instead of saying a word, I sent her a package to work with no return address. Maybe you can find or create something like "Receptionist Skills for Dummies". But, with you not there it may not be quite as enjoyable (unless you have a cohert on the inside to relay her reaction).

Question: I resently got an accounting degree. My last job was taking phone orders for products. How can I reword this? I do not have much formal accounting experience although I have learned alot of the software on my own. How can I reword these things to make my resume geared toward accounting? For example I worked at home for a company in which you order merchandise form TV commercials. I took the clients credit card numbers, answered their product questions, sold additional products such as upgrades. I basicly just read the script and filled in the blanks. Would "sales" and "billing' be appropriate words? Do you have any other suggestions on how to make this geared more toward an accounting job? I have also had a job as a receptionist (administrative assistant?)

Answer: Considering you are changing career fields, I highly recommend you use a functional resume, instead of a chronological. Functional resumes highlight your skills and abilities. Search the internet for sample functional resumes so that you are able to gain an idea of what I am referring to. You will more than likely be offered an entry level position; however, to show a potential employer you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities prescribed can only help you. If you need any assistance, feel free to email me at info@tsskeithenterprises.com. I have a home-based business preparing cover letters, resumes, taxes, etc.

Question: how much does a receptionist/accounts payable clerk? working in los angeles, california usually earn? thanks! =)

Answer: I worked in accounts payable here in California like 2 &1/2 years ago and they started me out in training at $10 an hour. So I am just guessing maybe it went up.

Question: What are some Finance and accounting jobs? *That pays good and does not require me to talk to clients or be a receptionist like employee. I don't want to answer phones, make calls or stuff like that....I have been working part-time as a receptionist and I hate it.

Answer: Most good paying Accounting or Finance jobs require a four-year degree as a minimum. Try taking some bookkeeping classes and see if you like it or not. Being qualified to be a bookkeeper may get your foot in the door in some small companies without getting a four-year degree.

Question: receptionist to accounts clerk.? What are the chances of getting a Accounts Clerk job with no experience apart from helping the account floor out with various jobs, while im their receptionist. If i went into a agency, would this be good enough for them to find a suitable (include training) accounts job for me?

Answer: Most companies prefer to promote from within, so if you are the receptionist and you show yourself to be a hard worker and fast learner, it is quite possible to be promoted. Especially if while working there you take it upon yourself to get education in accounting and to let you bosses know that you are educating yourself. The position of receptionist is a stepping stone to better jobs in most companies. As a former HR manager I would much rather train a known good employee and fill the opening of receptionist. As for agency. Most companies will not pay an agency to bring in an unqualified person. If a company needs a temp they want the temp to be able to do the job without training. And in my experience, no company will pay an agency fee for an employee who cannot do the job they are hired for. Good luck