Because bookkeepers don't handle audits or tax information, however, they have the least liability. All accountants are responsible for stricter financial information, and CPAs may work with material subject to federal and state tax regulations.

The primary distinction between these occupations is that a bookkeeper is typically employed by small businesses to maintain records, whereas an accounting clerk is employed by large businesses and responsible for managing a single account, such as accounts payable.

Accounts payable involves making sure vendors are paid in a timely fashion. Managing payroll: Bookkeepers are often charged with reviewing employee time sheets, calculating deductions and processing payroll.

Generally speaking, an assistant accountant is a support role that assists senior accountants or accounting managers in various accounting tasks, such as bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, creating budgets, and maintaining financial records.