Bookkeeper Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Bookkeeper, or Accounts Clerk, keeps financial records for businesses. Their duties include processing financial documents, performing accounting work and completing basic administrative tasks.

 

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Bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Bookkeepers are responsible for several duties related to managing financial records these responsibilities may include:

  • Processing payments, invoices, income and receipts and entering data into accounting software or databases then filing hard copies
  • Preparing financial statements showing business income and expenditure
  • Paying vendor invoices and tracking bank account balances 
  • Completing VAT returns
  • Verifying the accuracy of business accounts and alerting  the Accountant of errors
  • Recording any inconsistencies to help the Accountants reconcile inaccuracies
  • Developing monthly financial statements including cash flow, profit and loss and balance sheets
  • Preparing employee wages
  • Managing employee expense claims
  • Helping the Accountant with administrative duties and preparing yearly accounts

 

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Bookkeeper Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

My client is a highly successful and growing firm of Chartered Accountants who have continued to win new clients and grow their team throughout the last 12 months. Due to the growth in the number and requirements of their clients, they are recruiting an experienced Bookkeeper to join their Accounts team. This is a great opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team in a varied and challenging role. With strong experience of Xero and recent Practice experience, the successful applicant will combine this with their knowledge of bookkeeping to complete a varied range of tasks including: General bookkeeping - including the preparation of accounts to trial balance Preparation of monthly Management Accounts VAT returns Dealing with general queries and being a point of contact for your portfolio of clients Working as part of the wider Accounts and Tax team you will be able to demonstrate excellent teamwork and communication skills as well the ability to work in a fast-paced environment - often managing multiple priorities. In return you will have the opportunity to work with a portfolio of prestigious clients and to gain exposure in other areas of Accounts and Tax longer term. A competitive salary, generous benefits, career development and the opportunity to work with a portfolio of clients usually only found with London firms. To be considered, please send you CV to Rachel at TN Recruits Accounts. / 01892 571 105 In application for this role, you are consenting to TN Recruits Ltd retaining your details to secure you work. All information provided will be held securely for up to 3 years unless we are contacted and instructed otherwise. TN Recruits Ltd full GDPR policy can be found on our website.

Example 2

*Bookkeeper* (Part -time, temporary post) Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd. is looking for an experienced Bookkeeper to join the accounting team leading the Company through a period of steady and sustained growth as we celebrate Cockwells’ 25th anniversary. The Bookkeeper will be responsible for supporting the Finance Director with a variety of accounting tasks whilst a member of the finance team works on another business project. We expect the position to last for approximately 3 – 6 months. Knowledge of M1 and Quickbooks accounting packages would be beneficial. The finance team offers a very supportive and team focused environment and candidates must have great communication skills and be task driven. Responsibilities include: * Bank reconciliation * Support month-end close, including various account reconciliations * Support Purchase Ledger Clerk with clearing purchase queries, supplier queries, supplier statement recs * Manage Sales Ledger [website] raising invoices, chasing debtors * Manage Accounts inbox * Support Buyer with purchasing issues/queries * Support Stores with delivery and PO issues/queries * Payroll admin support Key attributes and experience: * At least 2 years working as a bookkeeper or accountant * Highly efficient at processing transactions quickly and accurately * Strong ability to manage time and tasks * High attention to detail and highly organised * Must thrive in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to use their own initiative This position is offered on a part-time basis: 24 hours per week preferably working Wednesday to Friday (although this is negotiable for the right person) and for a period of 3 – 6 months depending on candidate suitability. We hope to appoint someone for an immediate start. Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd. enjoy an enviable reputation as a family business providing a high-quality, luxury product. We are at the forefront of designing and building the highest quality boats, motor launches and tenders. The Company cleverly integrates traditional boatbuilding skills with innovative engineering and modern techniques to build custom and semi-production vessels of the highest quality using both wood and composite materials. Following major investments and redevelopment of our established base at Mylor Creek near Falmouth, Cockwells is looking forward to exciting times ahead, creating new opportunities and investing in the future of the Company and its workforce. Please view our website for an insight into the vessels we build and refit. *Location* The place of work is at our main site at Mylor Creek Boat Yard, Mylor Bridge, Falmouth TR11 5NS. *Salary* Salary in the region of £22,000 per annum pro rata, depending on experience *Interviews* Interviews will take place as and when suitable applications are received. *HOW TO APPLY* To apply, please submit a covering letter with your [website] Closing date for applications: Friday 18th June 2021 Contract length: 3 - 6 months Part-time hours: 24 per week Application Deadline: 18/06/2021 Job Types: Part-time, Temporary Salary: Up to £22,000.00 per year Experience: * bookkeeping: 1 year (preferred) Work remotely: * No

Example 3

_Experienced bookkeeper _ We have an opportunity for an experienced bookkeeper to join the team at DA Johnstone plant hire Ltd. We have served the construction industry for over 20 years supplying all types of plant across the North East and Scotland. *Job Role & The main role will be to ensure that our daily bookkeeping requirements are completed alongside managing the plant hire diary using our plant hire software. You will also help to ensure the smooth running of the business. Duties will include but are not limited to: · Creating sales invoices · Credit control · Paying accounts · Sales / Purchase ledger · Bank reconciliation · Production of reports when necessary (Sales, VAT, month end) · Day to day bookkeeping · Journals · Liaising with external accountants when required · CIS · Answering the phone, helping with enquiries and keeping information up to date. *Essential Key skills: * · Bookkeeping experience · Computer skills Word, Excel, Outlook · Strong Admin skills · Time Keeping · Forward thinking, enthusiastic team player. *Experience * · bookkeeping: 5 years (preferred) · Must have experience using sage 50 accounting software · Experience using InspHire, Plant Hire Software (Desirable) *Hours* · Negotiable *Salary * · Negotiable Application deadline: 30/06/2021 Expected start date: 02/08/2021 *D A Johnstone plant Hire Ltd provided the following inclusive hiring information: * We are an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status. Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent COVID-19 considerations: All Customers are required to wear a mask, common surfaces are sanitised regularly Experience: * bookkeeping: 1 year (preferred) Work remotely: * No

What does a Bookkeeper do?

Bookkeepers maintain financial records, helping companies to understand their finances and manage their cash flow. They record financial transactions and ensure financial records and statements are accurate and up-to-date. This work involves using specialised software, including accounting programs and spreadsheets. Some Bookkeepers also track business income and spending. Bookkeepers who work at large companies often work for departments or on special projects. Bookkeepers at small to medium firms may work on financial records throughout the company. Bookkeepers may need to spend a portion of their day making phone calls to vendors or clients to settle balances owed. 

 

Bookkeeper skills and qualifications

Bookkeepers use a variety of skills in their careers. A successful Bookkeepers candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that include:

  • Good attention to detail to enter correct data into financial records and recognise errors
  • Mathematics skills for accurate record-keeping
  • Administrative skills for filing financial records
  • Computer literacy, especially familiarity with spreadsheets, databases and accounting software such as Microsoft Office, Excel and QuickBooks
  • Multi-tasking and organisational skills to manage different financial duties, including the ability to prioritise tasks in order to meet deadlines
  • Interpersonal and customer service skills for dealing with customers, suppliers and other employees in the accounts department
  • Communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial matters in accessible terms

 

Bookkeeper experience requirements

Completing an Accounts Assistant or Finance Assistant Intermediate Apprenticeship often provides the experience required for an entry-level Bookkeeper role. Some employers may hire graduates who have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a related field, without this experience. Other employers prefer candidates who have worked as an Administrative Assistant in an accounts department. 

 

Bookkeeper education and training requirements

Employers may hire a person with a minimum of five General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) at grades 9 to 4, including mathematics and English. A-levels in mathematics, business studies, economics and similar subjects are also desirable. Certain GSCEs are also required for internships or for higher education courses.

Earning a relevant Level 2 Certificate at a higher education college can help aspiring Bookkeepers improve their knowledge and become more desirable job candidates. Certificates in bookkeeping, manual and computerised bookkeeping and accounting are some of the most common.

 

Bookkeeper salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Bookkeeper is £22,813 per year. This figure varies depending on factors, including experience, geographical location and company.

 

Job description samples for similar positions

Many jobs involve financial record keeping, so there are several similar positions using the same skills Bookkeepers have. Here are other job descriptions that may help you develop your own job posting:

 

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Bookkeeper job description FAQs

 

What are the two kinds of bookkeeping?

Single-entry bookkeeping and double-entry bookkeeping are the two types of bookkeeping. Single-entry bookkeeping records one entry for every transaction. This system records every transaction in a single account. Double-entry bookkeeping records two entries for every transaction: a debit and a credit. This system records debits in one account and the credits in another account.

 

Should you hire a Bookkeeper for single-entry bookkeeping or double-entry bookkeeping?

Single-entry bookkeeping is suitable for small businesses. However, most businesses prefer hiring Bookkeepers for double-entry bookkeeping. This bookkeeping system helps with calculating profit or loss. It also makes preparing financial statements much simpler. Asking for a Bookkeeper confident with double-entry bookkeeping is the best option, as double-entry bookkeeping can help your business as it grows.

 

Why is hiring a Bookkeeper important?

A Bookkeeper makes sure your financial records are complete, accurate and organised. When you need financial information, the Bookkeeper will make sure you can locate it and can help analyse your business. The information they maintain can help you monitor and examine your company’s financial performance and identify areas where you may be overspending.

 

What is the difference between a Bookkeeper and an Accountant?

A Bookkeeper’s role concerns recording and maintaining financial transactions and is one part of the accounting process. An Accountant on te other hand works in all areas of the accounting process. They can do the work of Bookkeepers, but usually spend more time analysing financial records. They also summarise information in financial records and report it to stakeholders and upper management. Many businesses employ both Bookkeepers and Accountants.

Job Description Examples

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