5 facts about continuing education, further training as an accounting clerk

The continuing education program for accounting clerks provides practical knowledge for working in finance and accounting.The content and level of depth vary depending on the provider and the program.

Typical topics covered in the Accounting Clerk further training program include:

• Financial accounting:Fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping, account management, and accounts receivable and accounts payable (KV-Edupool, VSH Management). Depending on the degree program, advanced capstone projects may also be included (VSH Management).
• Value added tax:Basics of Swiss Value-Added Tax, Accounting for VAT Transactions, and VAT Returns (KV-Edupool, VSH Management).
• Social Security and Wages:Fundamentals of Social Security and Its Application in Accounting (KV-Edupool, VSH Management). Depending on the degree program, payroll accounting is also covered in greater depth (VSH Management).
• Cost accounting:Cost-type, cost-center, and cost-object accounting; cost estimation; and contribution margin accounting (KV-Edupool, VSH Management).
• Financial Management:Fundamentals of Financial Management and Business Analysis (KV-Edupool). VSH Management also includes budgeting, cash flow planning, and financial ratios, among other topics.
• Taxes:Fundamentals of Relevant Taxes and Their Application in Accounting (VSH Management).
• Theses:Fundamentals and support for year-end closing tasks (KV-Edupool); in-depth year-end closing tasks depending on the degree program, particularly in the VSH Management program.
• Other topics:Depending on the provider and the program, additional topics such as financial planning, balance sheet and income statement analysis, management accounting, or investment analysis may be included.

Commonality:All of the degrees listed provide a practical foundation for professional careers in accounting. However, the specific weighting and depth of examination for each topic vary depending on the degree.

The continuing education, further training course for accounting clerks is not only aimed at people with experience in accounting. Business people, people returning to work or people from other professional fields can also use the course to learn the basics of finance and accounting.

Why the course is suitable for career changers:

• Modular design:The basics are built up step by step in an understandable way.
• Different admission requirements:Depending on the employer, prior business experience or a basic understanding of financial accounting is required. In some cases, preparatory courses are available for career changers.
• Direct applicability:You will learn exactly the skills that are required in everyday office life.

Accounting clerks work in companies of all sizes

Accounting clerks perform key tasks in financial accounting and assist companies in the accurate recording, processing, and analysis of their business transactions. Their expertise is in demand at companies of all sizes—from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to multinational corporations, as well as at accounting firms and public institutions.

Typical Accounting Tasks
Depending on the company, position, and degree, the following tasks are typically included in the job responsibilities:

• Accounts Receivable:Create and post customer invoices, monitor incoming payments, process outstanding receivables, and assist with the accounts receivable collection process.
• Accounts Payable:Review, account for, and post incoming invoices; prepare payments; and monitor outstanding payables.
• General ledger:Post business transactions, reconcile accounts, and check balances.
• Value added tax:Accurately record transactions subject to VAT, perform checks, and assist with the preparation of the VAT return.
• Theses:Perform preparatory work for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, such as account reconciliations, accruals, and other closing entries.
• Cost accounting:Record and analyze costs, prepare cost estimates, and provide support for cost and performance accounting.
• Reporting and Analysis:Prepare financial analyses and key performance indicators, and assist internal departments in providing financial information.
• Collaboration:Collaborate with internal departments, trust companies, auditors, government agencies, and other external partners.
  Industry-specific characteristics

Industry-specific characteristics
The basicAccounting Processesare similar across industries. However, depending on the industry, different areas of focus may come into play:

• Fiduciary & Consulting:Maintain accounting records for various clients, manage accounts receivable and accounts payable, assist with year-end closing procedures, and, depending on the role, help prepare tax returns.
• Industry & Trade:Particular focus on cost accounting, cost estimation, inventory and merchandise valuation, and inventory management.
• Health Care:Financial accounting and cost accounting are often linked to administrative processes, service billing, and the specific requirements of the healthcare sector.
• Service companies:The focus is often on accounts receivable and accounts payable, project and cost accounting, and the financial analysis of services.
• Public Administration and Nonprofit Organizations:Accounting in accordance with applicable legal or organization-specific requirements, as well as budgeting, cost control, and reporting.

The specific tasks that are actually performed depend on the size of the company, the structure of its accounting department, and the individual’s level of education or training.

Many courses last two to three semesters and are also offered on a part-time basis. This allows participants to combine their continuing education, further training with their current job or a return to the workforce and to apply what they have learned directly.

Key data for continuing education, further training Accounting Clerk

• Duration:Usually 2 to 3 semesters (often with 1-2 teaching days per week or in a flexible online/presence model).
• Part-time programs:Many courses are offered on a part-time basis. Depending on the provider, evening, daytime, Saturday, in-person, online, or hybrid formats are available.
• Career change or career jump:Continuing education, further training as an accounting clerk is ideal for lateral entry or as a career boost. It is completed almost exclusively on a part-time basis, allowing you to maintain your current workload and apply what you have learned directly in practice.
• Conclusion:Certificate (e.g. kv edupool, VSH, VEB).
• Career prospects:After graduating, you will be qualified to manage accounts receivable, accounts payable and general ledgers as well as payroll and VAT accounting. It is also the ideal basis for further federal certificates in finance and fiduciary services.

The “Accounting Clerk” continuing education, further training program can be a sensible first step for individuals who wish to advance their careers in finance and accounting. Depending on prior education and the program provider, advanced courses leading to certification as a Finance and Accounting Specialist or a Trust Services Specialist may be an option. You should check directly with the respective educational provider to see if a specific degree qualifies you for an accelerated continuing education program or counts toward admission requirements. Possible paths for the following continuing education programs:

• Specialist in finance and accounting with Federal Diploma of Higher Education:The course is considered a basic course that seamlessly prepares students for the Federal Professional Examination. In some cases, it is even possible to join the higher course after the first semester.
• Fiduciary clerk:Due to the similar subject structure, a logical and often chosen continuing education, further training.
• Further specializations:Tax specialist or specialist in fiduciary services and consulting.
• Attractive prospects:With this degree, you will be able to independently handle operational tasks in accounting and ease the burden on management. The salary range in Switzerland is also attractive.