Review and present value formula monthly customer invoices and manage customer collections. An accounting clerk typically works directly beneath the company accountant, performing audits and similar financial transactions. They may also be tasked with producing financial reports for the accountant in an accurate and timely manner. A bookkeeper can have a wide range of responsibilities depending on the company or companies they work for.

Perform account analysis and reconciliation, including bank statements and inter-company general ledger accounts. I didn’t go to what felt like the traditional route of going to a Big Four accounting firm. Searching for a job with zero experience was really difficult. There were a lot of companies that disqualified me based on that. I remember talking to the manager at my first job before they hired me. Even so, the BLS still projects more than 170,000 annual openings for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks from 2020 to 2030.

Core duties

Bookkeepers work in a variety of settings, depending on the nature and size of the organization they serve. They may work in an office environment, in a retail store, or even from home. In most cases, bookkeepers work full-time during regular business hours, although part-time and flexible schedules are also common. Do you have an expertise, or an affinity, toward one social media platform that you can start to learn how to use for business development? I have seen examples of bookkeepers doing a fantastic job building their business on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

You would think this shouldn’t need to be said, but sadly, it does. Bookkeepers have to know accounting fundamentals to be successful. Being an expert bookkeeper offers the ability to grow and make a difference for others.

• Intuit does not endorse or approve these products and services, or the opinions of these corporations or organizations or individuals.
• Virtually every business needs a bookkeeper, so the range of possible employers is vast.
• If you are already a CPA, you can act as an enrolled agent without passing the exam.
• We have a team of great, forward-thinking people that make it enjoyable to come to work everyday!

Regardless of the setting, bookkeepers must maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. They must be able to work independently and as part of a team, and they must be able to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders. Whether you choose to be a self-employed bookkeeper or work for an organization, you’ll be in charge of managing the flow of revenue and expenses. Read this article to learn more about popular bookkeeping careers.

Skills to develop to transition to this role

The BLS projects a 3% decline in the number of bookkeeping jobs between 2020 and 2030. This is mainly the result of technological advancement. Accounting software has become more sophisticated, automating tasks that bookkeepers used to perform.

An aptitude for organized and detailed work, and math and computer skills are essential for bookkeepers. Bookkeeping jobs can be remote, flexible, part-time, freelance and full-time depending on the needs of the employer. Bookkeepers use accounting software and bookkeeping software to oversee and record financial transactions, financial statements, and financial data. Bookkeepers prepare bank deposits, financial documents, annual financial reports, and income statements.

I wanted to continue working remotely, so signed up for FlexJobs. Save time and find higher-quality jobs than on other sites, guaranteed. Prepare and post journals entries related to Cash and Bank, Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities for Direct and Indirect spend, VAT and Shipping/Logistics.

What will you do as a Bookkeeper?

People often confuse bookkeepers and accountants—and with good reason. While there are certain similarities and overlaps between the two, there are distinctions that set these two roles apart. Bookkeepers don’t necessarily need higher education in order to work in their field while accountants can be more specialized in their training. Because bookkeepers tend to work for smaller companies, they may not be paid as much as accountants. Knowing the differences between the two can help people find their niche in the industry and can give guidance to companies on who to hire for their needs.

Due to the additional education and training required to become an accountant, there are exclusive responsibilities that bookkeepers can’t perform. Large and small, keeping track of financial accounts to help management make informed decisions. You may find roles here directly with individual companies, or with consulting firms that contract to manage other companies’ books. A certified public accountant is a designation given to those who meet education and experience requirements and pass an exam. Bookkeepers are usually responsible for documenting or checking financial data for a company or client, including checks received or written, invoices, cost spreadsheets, and monthly or quarterly revenue. A bookkeeper is skilled at keeping documents and tracks a wide net of financial information.

Diamond Electrical Company, Inc.

The variety keeps me from having to do the same old same old. We get the job done and thoroughly enjoy time away from the office. We accomplish awesome things as individuals and as a team, and we’re well versed in recognizing a job well done. Find out what bookkeepers do, and get an intro to double-entry bookkeeping. With their variety of skills and tasks, bookkeepers come in many shapes and sizes. Solid understanding of basic bookkeeping and accounting payable/receivable principles.

A full 13% of bookkeepers work in the professional, scientific, and technical services field, and the fields of retail, wholesale, and healthcare each boast 8% employment of all bookkeepers. The old saying “everybody makes mistakes” doesn’t apply to bookkeeping. Many employers hiring or promoting advanced bookkeepers prefer those who have bookkeeping certifications in one or more area, so it’s a good idea to pass the exam for specialized expertise. This shows prospective employers you are not only an expert in your area but also are willing to go the extra mile to be a proficient bookkeeper.

Careers at ProLedge

Businessmen by trade, adventurers at heart; we understand the difficulties of running a small business and balancing a fulfilling life outside of work. We offer day-to-day financial planning, personalized mentoring, and consulting services that will help you better understand the financial needs for your business and plan to meet your long-term goals. Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

This is a remote position where you will work virtually in a dedicated workspace where you can interact with customers on video without interruption. Our culture has earned us spots on Best Places to Work lists year after year. Find out how working for Intuit can kick-start your bookkeeping career. Exchange knowledge with an industry-leading community of bookkeepers and take advantage of available resources on demand. Select the schedule you’d like to work within the QuickBooks Online regular business hours .

While accounting can be a lucrative long-term career, most accountants, unlike corporate attorneys or investment bankers, do not command huge salaries during the first few years. With bookkeepers, there are a lot of minutiae involved, and keen attention to detail is paramount. Accountants, on the other hand, tend to use the bookkeeper’s inputs to create financial statements and periodically review and analyze the financial information recorded by bookkeepers. They conduct audits and forecast future business needs.

With double-entry bookkeeping, you create two accounting entries for each of your business transactions. Most often, their reports go to business owners and managers to help them make decisions. Some bookkeepers, however, are actually involved in strategy development.

By understanding other jobs in the field of bookkeeping, you may be able to find a position which allows you to earn while you learn and advance quickly to higher positions within the company. Here’s a look at jobs in the field that are directly related to bookkeeping, any of which may give you an advantage as you pursue your bookkeeping knowledge base. BookkeepingBookkeeping is the day-to-day documentation of a company’s financial transactions. These transactions include purchases, sales, receipts, and payments. Earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting is the first step to a life-long career in the field. Luckily, a bachelor’s degree is more attainable than ever before.

• People often confuse bookkeepers and accountants—and with good reason.
• I didn’t go to what felt like the traditional route of going to a Big Four accounting firm.
• Others work for real estate companies, investment corporations, and businesses which provide office administrative services.

Customers will schedule a time to engage services, and the Bookkeeper will work on their books with them. Setting up, restructure, and cleanup of their clients accounting systems, prepare journal entries, bank reconciliation, and general ledger reconciliation. Impromptu reporting and special projects, when requested.Set up new client accounts in QuickBooks. Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and financial reporting. Analyzes non-IT business problems and articulates requirements to support process improvement opportunities. Run aging reports of assigned accounts to determine which are past due.

For a long-term career, accounting offers much more upward mobility and income potential. The education required to be competitive in the field is greater, but the payoff down the road can be considerably higher. Accountants and bookkeepers work with numbers and financial data all day long. There are critical differences in job growth and salaries between the two. Growth for accountants and auditors is expected to continue for the next several years.