What is the role of a bookkeeper?

Keeping track of a business’s money is the main responsibility of a bookkeeper, who is a trained accountant. In most businesses, a bookkeeper’s duties include keeping track of money coming in and going out, as well as arranging and documenting all receipts, bills, and other financial activities. It is now common practice for bookkeepers to use computer programs to generate electronic financial records in contemporary workplaces. Among a bookkeeper’s other responsibilities could be:

• Producing financial transaction reports for usage by executives and other department personnel

• Checking the accuracy and balance of financial records through auditing

• Taking note of discrepancies to facilitate investigations into reconciling errors

• Running payroll and making sure everyone gets paid what they should by the ways they like
• Taking in, sorting, and accurately recording customer payments made by cash, cheque, or voucher
• Accurately and promptly receiving invoices from third-party vendors and approving payments

Bookkeeper requirements

If you want to be a successful bookkeeper, you need to make sure you meet all the standards, such as: 

Knowledge acquisition

An individual working as a bookkeeper should have a high school diploma or something equivalent, such as a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). An associate’s or bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or accounting, may be required by some employers.

Training

The first few months on the job are often the most formative for a freshly recruited bookkeeper. From learning the ins and outs of the company’s chosen manner of conducting fundamental daily activities to being acquainted with the software used for processing financial records, this training can cover it all. During this time, the bookkeeper will typically work closely with a supervisor, who will act as a mentor and tutor to the new employee.

Certifications

National certifications are an additional credential that a bookkeeper may aim for in addition to their degree and job experience. A few well-respected certifications in bookkeeping are:

Skills

A varied collection of abilities is necessary for success as a bookkeeper in the workplace, including:

Inputting data: If your company accepts or issues paper invoices, data input will be a major responsibility of your bookkeeper. It is highly desirable to have a bookkeeper that can input data accurately and swiftly.

The secret to keeping precise financial records is to keep oneself organized. With a solid system in place, you can quickly locate any document you need, whether it’s to resolve a payment dispute, fix an error, or make a duplicate for a customer or supplier. The capacity to properly document and enter information into a database is also part of the skill of record-keeping.

Interactions: A bookkeeper’s job description includes frequent communication with both internal and external parties. An effective bookkeeper is able to communicate their progress and problems to management and others in a straightforward and succinct manner.

Interpersonal skills: Being approachable and friendly is an asset while dealing with clients, vendors, and coworkers. A bookkeeper with strong interpersonal skills may work well with people and get more done in less time.

Mathematics: A bookkeeper can improve their performance and perhaps find and measure new metrics that accounting software misses by studying the fundamentals of computations in addition to using sophisticated bookkeeping tools.

A bookkeeper needs to be proficient with financial software since computers handle most of the math and database administration in modern bookkeeping. A bookkeeper’s ability to swiftly adapt to new software depends on their strong foundation and adaptability, even though not all organizations utilize the same software.

The ideal workplace for a bookkeeper

The majority of a bookkeeper’s job is done while the office is open, at a desk. To update the company’s finances and enter records, they will most likely use a computer. Some bookkeepers may be required to spend time each day contacting customers and vendors over the phone to resolve outstanding invoices. Additionally, these experts are versatile enough to function in almost any field, and their duties will generally be consistent regardless of where they find employment.

Getting into bookkeeping: the ropes

To enter the field of bookkeeping, follow these steps:

Complete your degree. A high school diploma is typically required of bookkeepers. You might want to think about getting a GED if you haven’t gotten your high school certificate yet.

Think about going to college. Some accounting positions may give preference to candidates with a bachelor’s degree. After finishing high school, a bookkeeper has the option of entering the workforce immediately or continuing their education to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Get your resume written. Emphasize your relevant talents and previous work experience on your resume. To make your resume stand out from the other applicants, refer to the job description. When crafting your CV, make sure to highlight your abilities in relation to the duties and competencies listed in the job description.

Look for job openings. Starting out in bookkeeping does not necessitate an advanced qualification. Try to find a job that doesn’t specify any certain amount of experience, but has a list of abilities and responsibilities that sound like a good fit for your own. Starting out as an entry-level bookkeeper will provide you the hands-on expertise you need to go up the corporate ladder.

Try to get a CPB. The minimum requirement to sit for the Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) test is one year of experience in the field. You can use this certification as leverage when negotiating a salary increase at your current job, applying for promotions, or looking for a new job.