Accounting Clerk

Join a dynamic team through Spherion Staffing at our client, a state-affiliated organization dedicated to providing essential support to South Carolinians in need! We are currently seeking an Accounting Clerk for a Temp-to-Hire opportunity in West Columbia, SC. This is a steady, slower-paced, and low-stress role once learned, offering a collaborative, open-concept office environment where cross-training and teamwork are key. Your primary focus will be supporting the finance team with accounts receivable, payment processing, and customer-focused soft collections (which makes up approximately 40% of the role). Rather than aggressive debt collection, this function is rooted in helpful customer service-guiding customers and Center Managers through account updates, resolving billing inquiries, and assisting with overdue balances with tact and diplomacy.

Schedule & Pay: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (with your choice of a 30-minute or 1-hour lunch) at $18.00/hour during the temporary period.

Long-Term Value (If Hired Permanently): If selected to transition into a permanent full-time state role, you will gain access to a comprehensive State Employee Benefits Package. For example, on a base starting salary of approximately $38,000, state fringe benefits (including 15 days annual leave, 15 days sick leave, paid holidays, health/dental/life insurance, and a 27.56% SCRS retirement match) add approximately $26,000 to $37,000+ in additional value (70% to 100% of base salary)-bringing the total compensation package to approximately $63,000 - $74,000+ depending on coverage tier.

Responsibilities:

Customer-Focused Soft Collections (~40% of role): Monitor Aging Reports for assigned Training Center locations, prepare Debt Collection Reports, and provide proactive, courteous follow-up via email and phone to assist customers in resolving overdue accounts.

Customer & Internal Communication: Serve as a helpful resource for customers and Center Managers by providing clear account status updates and resolving billing or deposit inquiries.

Payment & Deposit Management: Handle the receipt and deposit of payments and refunds promptly, coordinating with banks, internal finance teams, and the State Treasurer's Office.

Invoice Processing: Prepare, print, and distribute Accounts Receivable invoices to customers via mail, email, and online portals.

Revolving Fund & Team Support: Manage daily Revolving Fund duties (including printing and re-spooling checks as needed), productively utilize downtime, and cross-train to serve as reliable backup for teammates.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience: A high school diploma and two (2) years of experience in an entry-level accounting or bookkeeping position. (Note: A bachelor's degree with multiple accounting courses may be substituted for the required work experience.)

*Note for Permanent Conversion: While not required to start as a temporary associate, candidates who transition into a permanent state role will be required to provide official college transcripts (if qualifying via degree) and an official 10-year DMV driving record. Technical & System Knowledge: Experience with SCEIS (South Carolina Enterprise Information System) and proficiency in Microsoft 365 (specifically Excel and Word).

Accounting Accuracy: Knowledge of general bookkeeping and accounts receivable principles, with the ability to perform financial tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

Customer Service & Soft Collections: Experience performing soft account collections and providing high-quality internal and external customer assistance with tact, diplomacy, and strong verbal/written communication skills.

Adaptability & Work Style: Ability to thrive in an open-concept office, multitask, stay focused, productively manage downtime, and remain flexible for cross-training and team coverage. Technical & System Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (specifically Excel and Word).

Accounting Accuracy: Knowledge of general bookkeeping and accounts receivable principles, with the ability to perform financial tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

Customer Service & Soft Collections: Experience providing high-quality internal and external customer assistance with tact, diplomacy, and strong verbal/written communication skills.

Adaptability & Work Style: Ability to thrive in an open-concept office, multitask, stay focused, productively manage downtime, and remain flexible for cross-training and team coverage.

Preferred:

Experience with SCEIS (South Carolina Enterprise Information System) Experience performing soft account collections

If you are a motivated, detail-oriented individual who enjoys helping others and is looking for a stable, low-stress role with strong long-term state benefits, we encourage you to apply today!

Spherion has helped thousands of people just like you find work happiness! Our experienced staff will listen carefully to your employment needs and then work diligently to match your skills and qualifications to the right job and company. Whether you're looking for temporary, temp-to-perm or direct hire opportunities, no one works harder for you than Spherion.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Spherion, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact Callcenter@spherion.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Spherion offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

key responsibilities

Customer-Focused Soft Collections (~40% of role): Monitor Aging Reports for assigned Training Center locations, prepare Debt Collection Reports, and provide proactive, courteous follow-up via email and phone to assist customers in resolving overdue accounts. Customer & Internal Communication: Serve as a helpful resource for customers and Center Managers by providing clear account status updates and resolving billing or deposit inquiries. Payment & Deposit Management: Handle the receipt and deposit of payments and refunds promptly, coordinating with banks, internal finance teams, and the State Treasurer???s Office. Invoice Processing: Prepare, print, and distribute Accounts Receivable invoices to customers via mail, email, and online portals. Revolving Fund & Team Support: Manage daily Revolving Fund duties (including printing and re-spooling checks as needed), productively utilize downtime, and cross-train to serve as reliable backup for teammates.

experience 0-1 years

skills Technical & System Knowledge: Experience with SCEIS (South Carolina Enterprise Information System) and proficiency in Microsoft 365 (specifically Excel and Word). Accounting Accuracy: Knowledge of general bookkeeping and accounts receivable principles, with the ability to perform financial tasks with a high degree of accuracy. Customer Service & Soft Collections: Experience performing soft account collections and providing high-quality internal and external customer assistance with tact, diplomacy, and strong verbal/written communication skills. Adaptability & Work Style: Ability to thrive in an open-concept office, multitask, stay focused, productively manage downtime, and remain flexible for cross-training and team coverage.

qualifications

Education & Experience: A high school diploma and two (2) years of experience in an entry-level accounting or bookkeeping position. (Note: A bachelor's degree with multiple accounting courses may be substituted for the required work experience.) *Note for Permanent Conversion: While not required to start as a temporary associate, candidates who transition into a permanent state role will be required to provide official college transcripts (if qualifying via degree) and an official 10-year DMV driving record.

education High School