Bookkeepers Job Description
Job Descriptions October 13, 2013Bookkeepers are accountants, but universally perform standard procedures, as opposed to more complex CPA-level equations. Bookkeepers keep up significant financial records, keep track of books and accounts, and take steps to verify the validity of all transactions.
This job is required by every profession; from government offices, to private companies, to nonprofit groups.
The Responsibilities of Bookkeepers
Part of your future job will consist of preparing reports, controlling, configuring the balance and checking various accounts. This requires specific training in standardized bookkeeping methods. The traditional method of tracking is analyzing journals and ledgers, usually via computer.
You are not merely creating monthly reports but actually balancing the books and ensuring the balance is accurate. Verification may require auditing or other reports, such as statistical trends.
Bookkeeping is not considered a high profile job, but an entry-level position and one that can lead to a CPA accountant or a cleric supervisor with additional training and experience. These hard workers are being paid by the hour, working with numbers constantly throughout the day.
Some workers might be nervous about displaying their critical thinking abilities, knowing that most employees, that require help with their books, are looking for someone who is not afraid to ask questions. This shows commitment to accuracy, honesty, and efficient communication skill—not just the will to be hired.
Although bookkeepers have a straightforward job position, they must consistently go in for additional training to serve clients and government tax offices. The job does expect an individual who is organized, focused and independent. Losing vital documents is not an option in this field and so creating an organized system is a first priority.
Apart from accuracy, punctuality is very important for businesses who cannot afford to wait around for bookkeepers to finish the project at their convenience. In many cases, bookkeepers are paid by the hour and so punctuality is necessary in terms of tracking time.
Breaking Into This Promising Career
Other workers, who count on a smooth and uninterrupted workflow, to produce the best results, can see internal bookkeepers, hired by the company, who are not reliable or punctual, as a distraction.
Personal integrity is also a major factor, since bookkeepers (unlike accountants and financial managers) handle cash and have the capacity to steal it. Therefore, honest individuals are sought out, perhaps even those who are honest to a fault. They are the ones that employers will count on for their organizational and observational abilities.
The best way to break into this career is with a college degree; however, it is not a prerequisite in all cases. A high school diploma suffices for some workers, depending on what region of the U.S. they work in. Certification achievement, in Chartered Accounting or Certified General Accounting, can also help to establish credibility in an employer’s eyes.
Many workers will find comfort in this career path, since it is not overly demanding in terms of required education, and yet remains a job starting point, where one can easily progress. This is one of the best entry-level positions to apply for, and it will provide valuable experience working in the financial business.
