Bench simplifies your small business accounting by combining intuitive software that automates the busywork with real, professional human support. After completing your education, you can seek an internship and get on-the-job training to become a bookkeeper. However, it helps to have a two- or four-year degree in accounting, finance or related discipline. The role can function as a part-time job to supplement other income, or you can be a full-time bookkeeper. If you become a QuickBooks Live bookkeeper, you can work from home based upon an agreed schedule at a set hourly rate based on your location, interview, and experience level.
I gained a ton of experience and enjoyed the journey, but I knew something was missing. I needed a way to be innovative and wanted to build something, and that just wasn’t possible in bookkeeper the roles I had. Bookkeepers can focus on specific fields or industries to learn niche knowledge. Professionals with a unique industry understanding may have additional advancement opportunities. Not sure where to start or which accounting service fits your needs?
Some tasks QuickBooks Live bookkeepers perform include providing assistance in setting up charts of accounts, categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, preparing financial reports, and more. Self-taught bookkeepers use a variety of courses, seminars, books, and other online resources to learn about bookkeeping and accounting. You can also learn how to use accounting software, like QuickBooks, which can teach you about the basics of bookkeeping as well as the technology used by many businesses.
Our team is ready to learn about your business and guide you to the right solution. A seasoned small business and technology writer and educator with more than 20 years of experience, Shweta excels in demystifying complex tech tools and concepts for small businesses. Her postgraduate degree in computer management fuels her comprehensive analysis and exploration of tech topics. Below is a sample bookkeeper job description that you can customize to meet the needs of your business. The team works with Intuit’s Tax and Bookkeeping experts, recruiters, and thought leaders. It provides valuable resources, insights, and opportunities to help people achieve their career goals and business ambitions.
- If you’re interested in being a freelance virtual bookkeeper, you can sign up for freelance marketplace websites to connect with potential clients.
- A bookkeeping course can be a useful way to learn the fundamentals needed to prepare financial reports, organize data using tools like Microsoft Excel, or understand how to balance books.
- This includes calculating wages, figuring out tax deductions and other withholdings, and making sure payments go out on time.
In addition, smaller businesses may use single-entry bookkeeping, while larger businesses are more likely to use double-entry bookkeeping. As a bookkeeper, you may need to help the business learn the best practices to keep their financial records up to date and organized. While bookkeepers aren’t always responsible for filing taxes, their role in tax preparation is critical.
If you want to work from home as a bookkeeper, sign up for this free bookkeeping course to test the waters. Once you’ve got your website up and running, you should set a goal to reach out to a certain number of prospective clients each day. The general rule of thumb is five to ten, but set your own pace as you build up your client base. Ben Robinson is the founder of the course, and he offers a free 3-part training series, allowing you to gauge whether this is the right business for you. Learn the key differences between a clinical assistant vs medical assistant so you can hire the right fit for your healthcare team. Complete guide to 9 outsourcing types including offshore, nearshore, and professional outsourcing.
- Here’s an overview of the essential duties that bookkeepers perform.
- Among other things, you’ll want to gain a firm understanding of accounting principles, get comfortable using popular bookkeeping software, and learn how to work with spreadsheets.
- Develop your bookkeeping, payroll, and QuickBooks Online knowledge.
- It’s important to note that, while bookkeepers may have a lot in common with certain other accounting professionals, the positions are quite different.
- To become an accountant, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
- Even a small error in the books can cascade into larger problems, from misstated revenues and miscalculated expenses to costly penalties or audits.
Bookkeeper Job Description: Skills, Qualifications And Template
Bookkeepers rely on a suite of digital tools to handle key administrative functions efficiently and securely. At your request, QuickBooks will conduct a full evaluation of your bookkeeper’s work. If your Live Bookkeeper makes an error that requires you to re-open your books for any month, we’ll correct the error in your books for the month that the error occurred at no additional charge. Discuss their standard response times to inquiries and think about how you prefer to work and communicate with your bookkeeper. This program is designed for individuals who want to boost their résumé with the help of an accounting fundamentals certificate from WGU’s School of Business.
Get Support From An Experienced Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers have been around as far back as 2600 BC—when records were tracked with a stylus on slabs of clay—making bookkeeping not the oldest profession, but pretty darn close. They ensure that business financial records are up-to-date and accurate, and this helps companies make financial decisions and focus on growing their business and focus on growing their business. Therefore, there are often opportunities opening up for in-house bookkeepers, remote bookkeepers, or freelance bookkeepers. You can earn a Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license through the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB). The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) can also help prepare you for the National Certified Bookkeeper (CB) exam by training you in payroll, inventory, error correction, and more. Both the CPB and CB certifications have similar eligibility requirements.
These financial reports provide a snapshot of the business’s financial health. These reports are crucial for business owners to assess their financial position. Bookkeepers use various accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, or Microsoft Excel. The software also ensures accuracy and makes it easier to generate reports. Technology streamlines the bookkeeping process and helps bookkeepers maintain organized records.
Bookkeeping can be difficult as it requires time management, logic, and accounting skills. Successful bookkeepers may gain a sense of accomplishment from helping a company maintain accurate records, forecast cash flows, and complete financial reports. Bookkeepers maintain accurate records of a range of transactions, issue financial reports, reconcile data, and otherwise ensure that the money coming in and out of the business is accounted for and tracked. In some cases, they also handle payroll processing, though that can vary depending on the size of the organization.
