Bookkeeper Career

Responsible for numerous accounting tasks, bookkeepers assume account management and maintenance for companies.  These accounts include profit/loss, accounts payable/receivable, expenditures, and receipts.  Producing financial statements, preparing deposits, balancing receipts, building reports for supervisors, and creating financial summaries are a few of a bookkeeper’s daily responsibilities.  In some instances, they may handle payroll, invoicing, or purchasing.  Full-charge bookkeepers often manage all of the books for a company, while bookkeepers and clerks are normally responsible for just a few. 

Bookkeepers often work standard weeks in office surroundings.  For some professionals, evening and weekend hours are common, especially during peak times or when they must meet deadlines.  Commonly, peak business occurs during tax time, and for professionals employed in hotel or restaurant industry, holidays and vacation times.  Deadlines may be necessary for scheduled audits, taxes, and fiscal year end. 

Many bookkeeping careers require candidates to obtain a high school diploma, but increasingly a college education is preferred or required for certain positions.  For bookkeepers entering the field, on the job training under an experienced professional is generally provided, with some companies offering software training as well.  Certification is available and especially benefits full-charge bookkeepers.  To become certified, candidates must obtain two years of bookkeeping experience, pass a three part examination, and follow the code of ethics.  Bookkeepers often come into contact with confidential or sensitive information, so they must use discretion.  Successful candidates must be detail oriented and cautious because one minor mistake may create a large discrepancy in accounting records.  Promotions of bookkeepers to higher administration positions are very common once experience has been obtained.  Bookkeepers may also move into accounting or auditing positions with a combination of experience and continuing education. 

Although business transactions are projected to increase, automation and technology have improved employee efficiency and decreased the need for bookkeepers.  Experts predict bookkeeping demands will grow slower than average industries, but because it is such a large occupation, numerous openings will remain.  While many companies are downsizing and outsourcing these positions, numerous temporary and part time positions will remain.  Bookkeepers are highly functional and useful to companies; and certified candidates with extended experience will have the best opportunities.  For more information on a career as a Bookkeeper, please visit the following sites:

• Governmental Accounting Standards Board
• National University
• Gatlin Education Services
• Bean Counter - Bookkeeping
• Glendale Community College

For a list of available Bookkeeper positions as well as a database of Bookkeeping professionals, please visit iHireAccounting.