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Career

New Accounts Clerks

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they do

Interview persons desiring to open accounts in financial institutions. Explain account services available to prospective customers and assist them in preparing applications.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,670 Median per year · $22.92/hr Most earn $38,180–$60,910

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Investigate and correct errors upon customers' request, according to customer and bank records.
  • Inform customers of procedures for applying for services, such as ATM cards, direct deposit of checks, and certificates of deposit.
  • Duplicate records for distribution to branch offices.
  • Compile information about new accounts, enter account information into computers, and file related forms or other documents.
  • Perform foreign currency transactions and sell traveler's checks.
  • Obtain credit records from reporting agencies.

Job outlook

United States
7% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 2,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Credit intermediation and related activities93.6%
  • Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities2.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

New Accounts Clerk is an entry-level job for people with a high school diploma who have some customer-service or bank experience. Most people get there after about 6 months to 1 year of related work, often as a bank teller, plus a short certificate or on-the-job training.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong math, reading, and communication skills, since you will explain account options and check forms carefully every day.

  2. Bank Teller

    6 months to 1 year

    Handle cash, serve customers face to face, and follow bank procedures, which builds the accuracy and trust that new accounts work depends on.

  3. New Accounts Clerk

    Ongoing

    Interview people who want to open accounts, explain the services available, and help them fill out applications correctly.

Where it can lead

  1. Loan Officer

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move from helping people open accounts to reviewing and approving loans, which usually requires a bachelor's degree and strong knowledge of lending rules.

  2. Personal Financial Advisor

    2-4 years of experience first

    You advise clients on savings, investing, and planning for their goals, which usually requires a bachelor's degree and professional licensing.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and business or accounting classesStrong math and basic money skills help you understand account terms and the forms you would be filling out.
  • Join a business, DECA-style, or debate clubPractice speaking clearly and explaining ideas to others, which is a daily part of helping new customers.
  • Get a starter job that involves customers and cashWorking at a store, restaurant, or box office builds the service and accuracy habits banks look for.
  • Volunteer to help others with forms or paperworkHelping neighbors or family fill out applications shows you can guide people through detailed steps patiently.
  • Learn basic computer and spreadsheet skillsComfort with typing, documents, and spreadsheets will make training at a bank much easier.

In college

  • Take courses in finance, accounting, or businessA business or finance major teaches how bank accounts and financial products work, which helps you explain them clearly.
  • Get a part-time job as a bank teller or in customer serviceReal experience handling cash and customers is the kind of prior work this job usually asks for.
  • Look for a bank or credit union internship or campus jobMany banks offer student positions where you can see account opening up close and ask questions.
  • Build communication skills through student organizationsLeading a club or presenting in class prepares you to explain services and answer questions with confidence.
  • Ask about bank training programs or certificatesShort banking or customer service certificates offered at many community colleges can show employers you are prepared.

Tips for getting started

  • Get any entry job at a bank, credit union, or store with cash handling to build the experience employers look for.
  • Practice explaining things simply, since this job is about walking customers through options and paperwork.
  • Learn basic computer and spreadsheet skills, because bank applications and account systems are done on computers.

Related jobs that often lead here

  • Tellers Up to 1 month of experience

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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