Are you looking into different career options? Have you always wondered what a bookkeeper’s job involves? There are more than 1.7 million bookkeeper positions in the US today. That’s a lot of different options if you’re looking for work as a bookkeeper. Do you know what a bookkeeper does? Here’s a guide to what to expect in a bookkeeper job description.
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What Do Bookkeepers Do?
A bookkeeper is someone with financial skills and training. They record data in the records of a business and produce a variety of different reports.
They work hard, often behind the scenes, and are responsible for keeping accurate accounting records up to date at all times. Business owners rely on them to make payments on time and maintain a steady cash flow for the company.
They must maintain strict confidentiality as they have access to important documents within a business office.
Bookkeepers may be full or part-time employees, or they could be private contractors who perform bookkeeping duties for several different companies simultaneously.
Bookkeeper Job Description
Bookkeepers are responsible for a wide variety of tasks. In a small business, a single person might perform all of the duties for the company. Larger companies will divide the responsibilities into several different roles.
A bookkeeper job description might include responsibility for the following tasks:
- Invoicing and collections
- Purchasing and ordering
- Accounts payable and payments
- Bank reconciliations
- Bank deposits
- Payroll processing and payments
The bookkeeper can provide any function required in a busy office. It’s a great way to get to know a business inside and out.
How to Become a Bookkeeper?
To become a bookkeeper, you’ll need to take some courses at your local college or find some online options. Bookkeepers often take introductory courses to learn the basics.
Sometimes they learn about a specific software program and become a specialist. Here is an excellent example of professional development and certifications available for bookkeepers.
Bookkeeper Salary
A bookkeeper’s job salary will vary depending on the skills and education required for the position. An entry-level position in the US is about 30 thousand dollars for a full-time position.
Entry-level wages will vary depending on the location of the business and the requirements of the position.
Bookkeeper vs. Accounting Clerk
If you compare a bookkeeper and an accounting clerk, you will find their duties and skillsets are generally the same. In a small business, a bookkeeper may be the only person responsible for all financial duties.
An accounting clerk may hold several positions in larger firms. In these cases, the accounting clerk takes care of only a portion of the records, such as the accounts payable.
Other examples could be a Payroll Accounting Clerk or an Inventory Accounting Clerk.
Consider a Career as a Bookkeeper
Now that you understand the variety of work in a bookkeeper job description, you can consider whether becoming one is a good fit for you.
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