Bookkeeper Job Description

What is a Bookkeeper?

A Bookkeeper is responsible for tracking and managing a company’s financial accounts and records. They don’t interpret financial data, which is a responsibility for accountants, so they focus less on analysis and more on creating and maintaining records.

Bookkeepers generally work with in-house accounting departments at a company or as part of a team at an accounting firm that handles company ledgers for multiple clients to ensure accuracy and compliance with finance law. Bookkeepers can also be in charge of basic administrative duties for the accounting team.

Education Requirements

The typical work experience required of Bookkeepers depends on the role being filled:

• Entry-level employees may only need a high school diploma to be considered for the role
• Other entry-level Bookkeeper postings may request an associates degree or higher, making exceptions for employees with related experience
• Mid-level Bookkeepers will have a few years of experience and, most likely, a college degree
• Senior-level Bookkeepers will likely have a college degree or higher, plus five or more years of experience—including some time leading a team or spearheading projects

Bookkeeping Essential Skills

• Eye for detail
• Apt at meeting deadlines
• Ability to communicate complex data in a clear way
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize projects
• Customer service skills
• Excellent data entry skills
• Payroll accounting skills

Bookkeeping Roles & Responsibilities

• Maintain your organization’s books and accounting records
• Documenting transaction details
• Put together financial reports
• Fact-check accounting data
• Notify senior staff of any accounting errors
• Calculate interest charges
• Record financial transactions
• Track payroll data

Day-to-Day Duties

• Enter data into spreadsheets and bookkeeping software, compile reports, gather and organize bank statements, highlight discrepancies in company records and research possible reasons for errors or differences in expected versus actual account balances
• Help clients understand the limits of their budget or resources
• Consistently meet project deadlines
• Meet with other executives to discuss a clients’ project goals, progress and outcomes
• Develop budgets and timelines for clients
• Coordinate teams to meet project milestones
• Assemble new teams to meet clients’ or businesses’ goals
• Reconcile and balance accounts

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