The operations of a business firm cannot be complete without the bookkeepers whose responsibilities include performing day-to-day transactions and substantiating the financial records of a firm. This article provides career and salary details including Main duties, requisites, and frequent queries enabling one to see the full scope of the bookkeepers’ job description.
Bookkeeper Job Description
A bookkeeper is a person who is often employed in an organization to maintain financial records, monitor business transactions, and perform accounting functions accurately. In every given business, they write down all the incoming and outgoing transactions, invoices, and other relevant papers so as to safeguard and articulate the company’s finances. The bookkeepers usually collaborate with accountants and other finance departments to create, and compile the financial documents and ensure regulatory adherence.
The bookkeepers exist in both the retail, health, finance, and hospitality sectors, and their scope of activities varies with the organization.
Resume Description for This Job
In preparing a résumé for such a position, emphasize your skills in financial data handling, attention to details, and relevant skills with bookkeeping tools. Here is a case in point:
“A certified bookkeeper possessing [X years] of experience in maintaining financial records, carrying out account and payroll reconciliations. Proficient and competent in the use of [insert software, e.g., QuickBooks, Xero] with capabilities in data entry, expenditure analysis, and reporting. Expert in record-keeping and assisting in the efficient operation of the finance department of an organization through effective and relevant financial management processes.”
Feel free to adjust details to better match your experience!
Salary
The average salary of Bookkeepers in the United States of America can be affected by various factors including experience and industry type. Below is a summary of the salary range:
- Entry level Bookkeepers: $30,000-$40,000 annually
- Mid level Bookkeepers (2 – 5 years): $40,000-$50,000 annually
- Senior Bookkeepers (5 years+): $50,000-$60,000 annually, more so for those with management duties on complex accounts in certain industries.
Such robust salaries can be expected in big cities or certain fields, and some bookkeepers are paid a higher salary due to provision of such benefits like a bonus or profit sharing schemes that are linked to the overall success of the organization and its policies.
Responsibilities
Bookkeepers serve as important figures in the collection of financial information and in the preparation and accurate reporting against the provisions of provisions. Key responsibilities include:
- Recording Financial Transactions: Recording daily transactions i.e. revenue transactions, expenditures, income, advances and payments.
- Maintaining General Ledgers: Recording changes in general ledger accounts and making sure that the general ledger pays off.
- Accounts Reconciliation: Comparing bank statements, credit card statements and other statements often posted to the company’s accounts.
- Processing Payroll: Paying the wage bill to employees, beneficial tax deductions and processing certain advantageous payments as applicable.
- Invoicing and Billing: Invoicing customers, issuing bills to customers, tracking debts and recovering them when necessary.
- Preparing Financial Reports: Creating reports on monthly, quarterly and annual financial transactions useful for accountants and managers for business decision making.
- Supporting Tax Preparation: Aiding accountants in tax document preparation, adherence to the revenue laws and submits documents when they are due.
- Maintaining Compliance: Monitoring changes in order laws and the stipulated provisions for transactions to be done within the state and federal boundaries.
Qualifications
Some basic aspects which include education, experience, and particular skill set are essential in making a good bookkeeper; these include:
- Education: Most job postings will ask for at least a high school diploma, however some employers may also ask for an associate degree or certification in bookkeeping, accounting or a related field.
- Experience: Most entry level positions may provide training, however some experience with data entry, books, financial records, and some form of administration is useful. This does not apply to all employment opportunities, but some positions may require prior bookkeeping or accounting positions.
- Technical Skills: Solid knowledge of accounting software such as QuickBooks, Sage or Xero is in much demand in the labor market. Knowledge of spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) is equally important.
- Attention to Detail: High degree of accuracy in entering data and recording finances is critical to obviate possible mistakes and misstatements of finances.
- Ability to Analyze: Recognizing that the bookkeeper’s role is one of simply executing transactions, this will still be their main role however they have to analyze financial data.
- Ability to Organize: These skills are very useful as a bookkeeper has to juggle between several accounts, account deadlines, and account records.
- Certification (optional): A job seeking candidate with a validated American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) or the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) certification will most likely have wider job opportunities.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the distinction between a bookkeeper and accounts?
The focus of a bookkeeper is the records and keeping track of transactions done on a daily basis while the accountant prepares financial statements, analysis of the information and taxation. For most of the organizations both positions are requisite for optimized financial processes.
Q2: Are bookkeepers able to work from home?
Yes, nowadays due to advancements in technology that offer cloud based accounting applications, a bulk of the bookkeepers work from home. Such freedom ensures easy record keeping and cash flows without having to be in the office.
Q3: Is Georgia bookkeeper certification necessary?
No certification is a must but it could be an advantage. A certification from AIPB or NACPB strengthens the skills and increases the chances of getting the job as well as wage expectations.
Q4: Are job opportunities for bookkeepers safe in the future?
Undoubtedly, employment of bookkeepers exists in many sectors like whosoever possesses.. In particular, demand for those mastering accounting, monetary transactions and primary compliance activities will remain robust.
Conclusion
All in all, a bookkeeper is a very important person when it comes to the retention and management of financial records for the business. A combination of technological skills, detail and experience makes the services of bookkeepers to be very vital for the company. There is an upward mobility in this profession, particularly for those who wish to acquire certification or other qualifications as it is possible to diversify into other areas of accounting and finance.