What Is Bookkeeping? Tasks, Skills, and How to Become a Bookkeeper

When there is a proper system in place that avoids problems such as skimming fraud, the recorded financial data can provide valuable, actionable insight. Good bookkeeping practices are essential for a business to succeed, especially when it comes to the tax-paying season. One way to think about it is that bookkeepers lay the groundwork for accountants to analyze and prepare financial statements. A bookkeeper is responsible for recording transactions into the system, which is part of the wider and more general practice of accounting. Usually, the entry-level salary for both bookkeepers and accountants tends to be similar; however, the earning potential of an accountant tends to increase as their career progress. A Bookkeeper is responsible for recording and maintaining a business’ financial transactions, such as purchases, expenses, sales revenue, invoices, and payments.

Whether it’s setting up a new bookkeeping system or cleaning up an existing one, David can help you streamline your bookkeeping process to save you time and money. Periods like year-end closing, tax time, and quarterly reporting generally see increased activity. Bookkeeping workloads often fluctuate based on business cycles and financial reporting deadlines. Apply now and discover how bookkeeping jobs at Intuit can empower you to do the best work of your life. Bookkeepers in these roles help clients stay on track by setting up accounts, categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, preparing financial reports, and more.

David has a knack for clearly explaining accounting concepts to help small business owners and their in-house bookkeepers learn how to manage their books and use their bookkeeping software correctly. «The growth of accounting software has allowed today’s bookkeepers to provide greater value through visualizations that can help tell the story of a business’s financial activity,» Stephens said. We will provide with our experience and with the professional services the help that our clients expect and deserve with their business and personal financial needs. With over 25 years of bookkeeping, accounting and tax experience working with small businesses, David Crowhurst literally knows business accounting inside out. David has over 25 years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting and tax preparation, working with small businesses, He literally knows business accounting inside out! You can also learn how to use accounting software, like QuickBooks, to learn the basics of bookkeeping and the technology many businesses use.

«Accountants take the financial data and analyze it to help organizations make financial decisions.» In this scenario, you could expect to calculate employee salaries, deduct taxes and withholdings and ensure employees get paid on time. After working for at least two years, you can choose to become certified through one of several bookkeeping organizations, such as the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) or the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. Some bookkeepers advance with the help of nationally recognized certifications. You can usually get on-the-job training from an experienced supervisor or another employee, according to BLS.

How to Become a CPA in Pennsylvania

• If you’re starting a new business or creating a new bookkeeping system, David recommends that you get professional help to get you started with an efficient system.
• «I spend a lot of my time updating transactions, categorizing and making sure that they’re coded appropriately, and sending out financial reports and budget reports,» he said.
• Every industry keeps accounting records to manage expenses, income, and tax payments.
• Are you seeking something beyond the cookie-cutter bookkeeping services that barely scratch the surface of your financial needs?
• He was able to file my taxes in a timely manner and walk me through each step so that I could understand.

The bookkeeper also reconciles accounts to ensure their accuracy. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards. Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs. Maddocks earned a master’s degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Bookkeepers pursuing professional certification can earn more money and take on additional responsibilities.

What is bookkeeping?

• Bookkeeping remains a valuable entry point into finance, but the career path is evolving.
• To advance to a licensed CPB, you must complete required courses, gain professional experience, and agree to the CPB Professional Code of Conduct.
• The AIPB requires two years of work experience before certification, while NACPB allows immediate testing after completing their training program.
• When I learned there was a profession where you could utilize numbers to tell a story and to make decisions in the business, I was sold!
• However, bookkeepers can learn specialized skills and earn certifications to stand out among peers.
• Being proficient with accounting software allows a bookkeeper to stand out from the others.

The bookkeeper may also work with an outside CPA, who advises on the proper accounting procedures, and who may review the bookkeeper’s financial statements. The bookkeeper position creates financial transactions and generates reports from that information. «Essential to the operational success of any business, bookkeepers continue to play an important role in the workplace,» Stephens said. If you are working toward your bachelor’s degree in accounting, some employers may be willing to offer you an accounting job once you earn your degree. The skills you gain on the job and through credentials can also position you to move into bookkeeping supervisory roles or junior accountant roles.

Learn about a bookkeeper’s main responsibilities, what it takes to become one, and where you can go with this career. We are affordable, experienced, and very hardworking. You can pick up the phone and call us anytime – you’ll always know who’s working on your books. We build personal relationships and genuinely care about how your business is doing. With GoVirtualCPA, you work directly with Michael and Dawn every single time.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

While you don’t need to hold a college degree to get started as a bookkeeper, this role generally requires a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certification. If you’re organized, have a strong attention to detail, and enjoy working with numbers, being a bookkeeper could be a good career—or side hustle. For instance, bookkeeping professionals in construction made a median annual salary of $51,670.

Education Requirements: Your Path to Becoming a Bookkeeper

We’re licensed CPAs based near Santa Rosa Beach in Freeport, serving Florida Panhandle small businesses exclusively. With natural beauty, high-end tourism, and a strong quality of life, the area attracts entrepreneurs across hospitality, vacation rentals, retail, real estate, construction, professional services, and creative industries. David Crowhurst is a small business bookkeeping pro who can take the pressure off so you can focus on what you do best.

A business’s bookkeeping process may vary based on its type and size, accounting methods, and tech tools it uses. Bookkeeping is a part of the accounting process that involves recording financial transactions. You’ll also learn how to get started with QuickBooks Live in the US and kickstart your bookkeeping career with an Intuit Bookkeeping Certification. Continue reading  to learn about bookkeeping, typical responsibilities, how to become a bookkeeper, and remote bookkeeping opportunities with Intuit. They ensure that business financial records are up to date and accurate, helping companies make financial decisions and grow their businesses.

May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. By investing in your education and staying current with technology trends, you position yourself for a thriving career in this essential profession. Start by assessing your current skills and educational needs.

For example, rather than manually entering data, you may spend more time analyzing clients’ books and pinpointing efficiencies. Clean, accurate accounts not only give business leaders a current financial snapshot of the business, but also help them measure its financial health. Bookkeepers record, track and update an organization’s financial information, including sales, purchases and payroll. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth. Bookkeepers can boost their career prospects by certain degrees and certifications.

• Individuals needing personal financial organization David travels to your place of business anywhere in Sonoma County. Eagle Bookkeeping is a Sonoma County bookkeeping firm, based in Windsor, California with a satellite office in Santa Rosa. Get an accountant for the price of a bookkeeper! Typically, you must complete annual continuing professional education (CPE) credits or renew your certification periodically.

Since 2017, we’ve been helping small business owners simplify their finances, make confident decisions, and focus on what they do best. At GoVirtualCPA, we believe great accounting is about more than numbers – it’s about people, trust, and clarity. Michael was very helpful and knowledgeable throughout the tax preparation process. He is super professional, thorough, and efficient! Michael was so easy to work with during a stressful tax season! Yet reliable financial guidance is essential for growth, profitability, and confident decision-making.

To schedule a consultation with us, simply fill out the contact form provided on our website. We highly recommend Amy for any small business! Amy is prompt and incredibly helpful for our business. Be the resource and the professional partner our clients need to champion their success. Ready for stress-free, organized bookkeeping? Whether you’re a contractor, stylist, or small business owner, we adapt to the way you operate.

What do you think is the most important skill bookkeepers need to succeed?

David understands job costing, and is an expert at helping construction businesses doing electrical, plumbing, construction, and other service work. It provides valuable resources, insights, and opportunities to help people achieve their career goals and business ambitions. During quieter times, bookkeepers may focus more on routine tasks, catching up on training, or helping clients prepare for busier seasons. With the right skills, training, and real-world experience, you can build a flexible career that fits your life. If you’re organized, good with numbers, and ready to bookkeeper santa rosa learn, bookkeeping offers a flexible path into a growing field—possibly without a degree. Intuit has many opportunities for bookkeepers to continue their career growth trajectory, including various remote roles with QuickBooks Live.

Technological advances may impact the number of workers needed in this field, but these advances provide ample opportunity for bookkeepers to expand their skill sets as financial professionals. While some bookkeepers work full-time for a company, others offer their bookkeeping services as freelancers, taking on several clients, or treat this work as a side hustle. Our virtual controller services provide advanced oversight, detailed reporting, and strategic financial guidance to help your business plan, budget, and grow with confidence. Our experienced CPAs provide clear financial insights, helping you stay compliant, manage expenses, and make confident business decisions.