New Accounts Clerks

Career summary

New accounts clerks gather information from people who want to open bank accounts or rent safe deposit boxes. They help customers complete their application forms. Clerks verify the information on the applications and enter it in the computer. If necessary, they obtain applicants' credit records.

Clerks answer applicants' questions and explain the bank's services. They file the applicants' forms and documents. They may refer customers to other bank employees for more complex financial matters.

When accounts are approved, clerks collect deposits and fees from customers. They record these transactions and give customers receipts. If customers find errors with their accounts, clerks investigate their claims and correct the errors.

When customers are approved for safe deposit boxes, clerks give them keys. They also admit customers to the vaults where the safe deposit boxes are kept. If the locks on safe deposit boxes do not work, clerks schedule repairs.

Clerks may sometimes act as tellers when needed. They may help customers who wish to travel overseas by issuing traveler's checks. They may also change American money into foreign currency.

Related careers

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bill and Account Collectors
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives
• Insurance Policy and Claims Clerks
• Interviewing Clerks
• Loan Clerks
• Loan Officers
• Receptionists
• Tax Examiners

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to new accounts clerks.

• Interview customers to obtain information needed to open accounts or rent safe-deposit boxes.
• Help customers complete application forms.
• Answer customers' questions and explain available services. Refer to other bank employees when necessary.
• Obtain credit records.
• Enter account information into computers. File forms and documents.
• Collect and record fees and deposits from customers. Issue receipts.
• Make wire transfers of funds.
• Investigate and correct errors upon customers' request.
• Issue initial and replacement safe-deposit keys to customers. Admit customers to vault.
• Schedule safe-deposit lock repairs.
• May sell traveler's checks and convert dollars to foreign currency.
• Obtain credit reports.

Common work activities

New accounts clerks perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Perform for or work with the public
• Get information needed to do the job
• Evaluate information against standards
• Process information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Perform administrative tasks
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Coach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Analyze data or information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Think creatively
• Teach others
• Develop and build teams

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, new accounts clerks:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with customers, credit agencies, and other staff.
• Communicate by telephone, letters and memos, e-mail, and in person on a daily basis.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situation where people might become rude or angry. Customers may be unhappy if they are denied an account, for example.
• Are somewhat responsible for the results done by other workers.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work near others. They often share the same office space.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could keep applicants from opening accounts.
• Make decisions that greatly impact their employer and customers on a daily basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor first.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere. They must abide by strict daily and weekly deadlines.
• Repeat the same activities, such as talking on the phone and processing applications.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time. Most work full time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

New accounts clerks frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for new accounts clerks to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for new accounts clerks to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

Skills and abilities

New accounts clerks need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Finance
• Office Support

Training

To work as a new accounts clerk, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Formal education beyond high school is not required to become a new accounts clerk. However, a degree in finance or banking is good preparation.

Work experience

Many new accounts clerks have work experience in a related job. Working as a bank teller is a common way to prepare for this occupation. However, any job where you have worked with numbers is good preparation.

On-the-job training

You receive on-the-job training about the bank's procedures, products, and services. If you do not have bank teller experience you may also receive teller training. Training can last up to one year.

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Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• Computer Applications
• Office Procedures
• Personal Finance

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who have a professional appearance and pleasant personality. They also look for a clear speaking voice and good communication, math, and computer skills.

Costs to workers

Workers may need to purchase business attire.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• New Accounts Clerks 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country.

New accounts clerks who work full time generally receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Banks and credit unions

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. Many people can now create new accounts online.

Job openings will occur as people leave the occupation.

Other resources

American Bankers Association 
1120 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.226.5377
202.663.5000

Washington Bankers Association 
1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2150
Seattle, WA 98101
206.447.1700

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Business Management and Administration

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• New Accounts Clerks (43-4141.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Customer Service Representative (205.362-026) 
• Safe-deposit-box Rental Clerk (295.367-022) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Enterprising/Social

COPSystem

• Clerical