Bookkeeper Career

A bookkeeper’s job is closely related to that of an accountant’s which explains why the two are often considered the same. Bookkeeping is a technique that has been in use for a long period of time as a method of keeping tabs on the accuracy of financial records of an organization in order to make deductions on the performance of the organization.

What is a Bookkeeper?

A bookkeeper is primarily a financial record keeper. As such, accountants are dependent on the records collated by bookkeepers in order to be able to apply the principles of accounting to generate financial statements and other financial reports. A bookkeeper ensures that all the financial records of an organization are collated in a structured form that allows easy financial decision making.

Bookkeeper Job Duties

A bookkeeper career encompasses several tasks and duties. Bookkeeping ensures that all financial transactions of a company or an organization are recorded accurately. Thus, all payments to and from the company, expenditures, profit, loss, payroll services, invoice preparation and a host of others must be updated and maintained by bookkeepers. They ensure that the records are accurately verified and recorded.

Bookkeeper Skills

Some of the skill sets that a bookkeeper career requires include: financial and mathematical aptitude and proficiency, a thorough attention to detail, analytical prowess and good communication skills. Furthermore, it is an added benefit if professionals have ability to work under tremendous pressure and for long hours in one position. Integrity and honesty are also required to make it as a bookkeeper.

Bookkeeper Education

The basic requirement for a bookkeeper career is a high school diploma. Since most of the required training is provided on the job under the supervision of a senior employee, higher degrees are often unnecessary for a bookkeeping position. The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers provides the Certified Bookkeepers (CB) award as a mark of excellence and professionalism.

Bookkeeper Salary

According to a May 2009 BLS survey, the average annual salaries of bookkeeping clerks were $33,450. The middle half of the occupation earned between $26,910 and $41,280. The bottom 10 percent of bookkeeping clerks earned a little less than $21,280, and the top 10 percent earned more than $50,450. The postal service was the highest paying industry and the federal executive branch, the lowest.

Bookkeeper Job Outlook

Employment of bookkeeping clerks is expected to rise by 10% between 2008 and 2018 due to an anticipated growth. Bookkeeping has one of the greatest growth potentials in the U.S. and it’s been estimated that over 200,000 new jobs would be created by 2018 as a result of the growth and also due to the retirement of current bookkeepers.

The outlook for bookkeeping clerks is very favorable due to the anticipated demand for their services which is closely linked to the growth of the economy. An expansion in the economy means an expansion in financial services and transactions and an increased request for bookkeepers to keep track of the economic and financial growth.