A new accounts clerk opens and manages customer accounts at banks and credit unions. You work directly with the public, handle paperwork, verify information, and solve problems. You can start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
New accounts clerks greet customers and gather the information needed to open bank and credit accounts. You explain account types and services, complete application forms, and verify that all details meet company standards. You communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to process accounts correctly and quickly. You also answer customer questions, listen carefully to their needs, and help them understand the products available. Problem-solving is part of the role when discrepancies arise or customers have special requests.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
New Accounts Clerks earn a median of $47,670 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 2,300 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers provide on-the-job training to teach you banking systems, compliance rules, and customer service practices. You will learn to use computers and banking software, handle math and calculations accurately, and develop strong communication skills. Some employers prefer candidates with prior customer service experience or basic accounting knowledge. Training typically takes several weeks to a few months before you work independently.
Most new accounts clerks enter through direct hire at banks and credit unions, with training provided on the job. If you are deciding whether to pursue additional certifications or move into related banking roles, Pathly can map the new account clerk path that fits you and work through the options with your counselor.
You are detail-oriented and organized, with a preference for clear rules and structured tasks. You enjoy working with people, communicating clearly, and making sure everything is accurate and compliant.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).