Bookkeeper Job Description – What Does A Bookkeeper Do?

Looking for a stable, growing profession with possibilities to enhance your income? A bookkeeper may be the right profession for you! Businesses worldwide depend on bookkeepers for accurate financial records and outstanding customer service.

We'll discuss bookkeepers' everyday duties and qualifications in this piece. Understanding what it takes to be a bookkeeper might help you succeed, whether changing jobs or improving your skills.

What is Bookkeeping?  

The primary focuses of bookkeeping are recording financial activities and ensuring that data is correct. Say your company utilises a bookkeeper. In such instances, they will keep daily or weekly records of payments in and out to offer a chronological record.

Bookkeepers manage an organisation's finances and provide data for accountants. Bookkeeping is about keeping sensible, orderly records of actions.

Nature Of The Work

Bookkeepers record a business's income, costs, cash flow, and other transactions. Businesses hire bookkeepers in their accounting divisions. Bookkeepers undertake their record-keeping work using various computer systems, including database and spreadsheet applications.

Most smaller businesses only employ a single general bookkeeper, also sometimes referred to as a full-charge bookkeeper. General bookkeepers are responsible for verifying and recording the specifics of their company's monetary transactions in ledgers. They proceed by compiling a summary of these particulars in a general ledger.

A general bookkeeper regularly verifies the books. When the books are equal, it is easy to see how much money has been spent and collected, what the firm owes and what is owed to it, and if the business made a profit or a loss. General bookkeepers prepare payrolls, tax reports, and monthly customer billing statements.

The duties of bookkeeping are typically segmented into various specialist divisions in large companies. One or more bookkeeping clerks, also called accounting clerks, are responsible for handling every region, and a chief bookkeeper directs them.

The ledger that documents the company's sales of goods and services is the responsibility of the accounts receivable clerks. In contrast, the ledger that records the company's purchases of goods and services is the responsibility of the accounts payable clerks. Auditing clerks examine the records other people have uploaded to validate their accuracy.

Since bookkeeping computers and software are so popular, bookkeepers now spend a fraction of the time they used to. This has led several offices to ask their bookkeepers to handle customer service, billing, and payroll.

What Do Bookkeeping Clerks Do?

Bookkeeping clerks are responsible for compiling financial records for the organisation. They are responsible for recording financial transactions, updating statements, and verifying the reliability of financial information.

The following is a list of some of the key responsibilities of bookkeeping clerks:

• Utilise bookkeeping software, spreadsheets, and databases

• Put all of your money dealings into the relevant program on the computer.

• Money, checks, and coupons are all brought in and recorded here.

• Keep track of debit and credit transactions, allocating each to a suitable account.

• Figures, postings, and reports should all be double-checked for correctness.

• Reconcile the records, making a note of any discrepancies they discover and reporting those discrepancies.

This career has maintained a consistent level of employment for more than a decade, and bookkeepers are in demand across almost all sectors of the economy. Therefore, a future accounting profession can be attainable for you after gaining experience in bookkeeping first.

What's It Like?

Companies must keep precise records of money entering and leaving. You'd be responsible for that as a bookkeeper.

In this position, you would be responsible for supervising a customer's or firm's financial data by maintaining track of their finances. You would record the activities, funds received, invoices, and payroll. Because even a small error could significantly influence the total amount in the account, it is critical to perform all tasks with extreme caution, precision, and thoroughness.

You would coordinate with your customers to establish budgets and keep them informed about the status of their accounts. You may also get together with their vendors and the bank if the situation calls for it.

In order to keep your financial records current and accurate, you could do your work on a computer utilising spreadsheets and accounting software.

Here is what you could try:

• Use an electronic database to keep track of payments from customers, invoices, and other operations.
• Keep the books in order and be in charge of the budget daily or monthly.
• Maintain oversight of the firm's payroll systems.
• File pertinent information
• Communicate with the customers, merchants, and financial institutions.
• Collaborate with accountants in order to manage the VAT returns.
• Making copies of crucial documents and receipts for future reference is a good idea.
• Producing summaries of the information and reports in order to do data analysis
• Keep track of any small amounts of cash.

Pathways To This Career

• Obtain a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Accounting, and your vocational bookkeeping education will help you land an entry-level career in the accounting field.

• As part of your studies for the Certificate IV, you will need to get familiar with the appropriate GST and Business Activity units. It's possible that you'll be given the opportunity to check these boxes while being supervised by a registered BAS agent.

• Submit an application to the Tax Practitioners Board to enrol as a BAS agent. Because of this, you will have the ability to charge a fee for providing BAS services.

Education and Training Requirements

To obtain employment as a bookkeeper, you must have completed at least 12 years of formal education, with a primary focus on accounting, bookkeeping, and business mathematics. For the post of full-charge bookkeeper, some companies give hiring preference to graduate students of junior colleges or business schools.

An asset is demonstrated proficiency in business-related topics, including accounting, bookkeeping, business mathematics, business software, typing, and business applications. In addition, it is vital to have the capacity to apply a computer, and it is useful to have some familiarity with basic spreadsheet and database tools.

Most organisations choose in-house bookkeeper training. Math skills and the ability to concentrate are also required. Additionally, a bookkeeper with a business degree beyond high school will have a better opportunity for advancement.

Bookkeepers for smaller enterprises have several roles, including determining whether the business made a profit or loss.

A two-year bookkeeping experience is required for the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) certificate. Because of this qualification, employers may be certain that their bookkeepers can handle all chores.

Bookkeepers must pass three exams and sign a code of conduct to become certified. Colleges provide courses to prepare students for these exams.

Why Should You Invest In A Bookkeeping Career?

1. Always In Demand 

There is a consistent demand for bookkeepers across all company sectors, from large corporations to sole proprietorships, as the law mandates that every entity keep financial records. Bookkeeping clerks are needed for a variety of tasks, including recording regular operations and generating reports.

Today's market has more bookkeepers than yesterday. After graduating, you're likely to find work. Bookkeepers are in demand worldwide, so if you want to work abroad, consider becoming one.

As a bookkeeper, you might work in a range of businesses. You could be employed in finance like others, but you also have the choice of working in retail, healthcare, or insurance; the possibilities are unlimited!

If you grow bored quickly at your current job, this could be an excellent choice for your future career. You will have the opportunity to move around and engage in various environments, preventing your career from becoming routine.

2. Be Your Own Boss

Governments, companies, charities, and non-profits hire people. You can work full-time for one company or part-time for numerous. You usually have enough control over your career.

3. You Have Control Over Your Career 

When compared to those of an accountant, the tasks and obligations of a bookkeeper are unique. Despite the fact that they are working for comparable objectives, the phases of the financial cycle in which they are operating are distinct. However, the financial business needs both work possibilities.

Start your career in bookkeeping and choose your pace and locations. You can enter the sector easily with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping. However, you may work in accounting or auditing with only a few more credentials, like a TAFE degree.

Bookkeepers may work part-time or full-time depending on business needs. During tax season and the conclusion of the fiscal year, it is customary to practise working longer days. However, bookkeepers often put in their hours during standard business hours, Monday through Friday.

4. Higher Earning Potential

You'll have the opportunity to amass a sizeable income that, with time and effort, will continue to increase. Bookkeepers who have earned industry certification are in great demand and have excellent earning capacity. When someone has sufficient expertise, they are able to make a big pay.

In the modern world, having a reliable source of income can bring great peace of mind. Bookkeepers make a respectable living, which only improves with more expertise. Bookkeepers in Australia make an average of $70,000 AUD.

Rising the corporate ranks and into higher-paying jobs is easy. Accounting may be a good choice to save enough money to travel and buy a house.

Completing a degree at a TAFE can help you progress further in your job. Obtaining a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40217) is the most practical way to get valuable work expertise.

5. Technological Skills Are Required  

Many bookkeeping positions call for familiarity with a diverse range of computer programs and platforms, in addition to a variety of other technical responsibilities and hands-on abilities.

Powerful computer abilities are necessary because several bookkeeping chores have been migrated to cloud-based systems like MYOB and Xero. Consequently, these systems are accessible everywhere there is internet access.

Even while performing calculations by hand will still be necessary to guarantee accuracy in bookkeeping tasks and duties, a comprehensive understanding of accounting abilities related to information technology will put you ahead of the competition.

Bookkeeping utilises digital programs to make the task simpler. After working in bookkeeping and realising you need further training, you can enrol in a TAFE course. However, most applications are easy to use and shouldn't cause issues.

6. Your Work is Crucial

Financial activities accurately impact the entirety of the company. Therefore, having integrity is really important. You can be in charge of capturing and reporting financial data and planning and analysis if you have sufficient expertise. Also, contribute to determining which methods and techniques will endure and which will not.

7. Enjoy Stability

A bookkeeping job provides what most of us are looking for a reliable career. You can make plans for the future, work regular hours, and eventually strike out on your own when some time has passed. You will also be eligible for benefits.

8. Not a Boring Profession

Accounting and bookkeeping workers are often thought to have a boring desk job. As a self-employed bookkeeper, you'll work with clients from all backgrounds. Your career potential is high if you are strong at networking.

9. Constant Learning

As technology and laws advance, the accounting sector changes. To be great, you must learn the latest best practices. You can succeed in bookkeeping if you want to and love what you do.

How To Become A Bookkeeper In Australia?  

Bookkeepers are accountable for creating financial statements and other reports for managers and supervisors, keeping the firm's financial documents, monitoring transactions, upgrading statements, and improving accuracy.

Bookkeepers are responsible for generating reports and organising data using accounting software, spreadsheets, and databases to record data collected via receipts, invoices, and bills. They will also be assigned other duties like procuring items, handling payroll, and issuing invoices, some of which might need them to interact with customers occasionally.

For the purposes of taxation, the preparation and filing of Business Activity Statements (BAS) may necessitate the services of a bookkeeper. This must be done in order to become registered as a BAS Agent with the Tax Practitioners Board, which will boost the career opportunities available to bookkeepers.

Do things like spreadsheets, databases, and numbers help you to relax? Does accuracy and organisation give you a sense of fulfilment? If this describes you, you have arrived at the correct spot; follow these instructions to begin your career as a bookkeeper.

You will be prepared to operate in any other company after completing the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping course since it will provide you with the relevant skills and experience.

FNS40217 Certificate IV In Accounting And Bookkeeping Course Information 

The obligations of contractual bookkeepers, BAS Agents, and staff who undertake bookkeeping functions for companies in a range of sectors are covered in the FNS40217 Certificate IV in accounting and bookkeeping training.

In addition to educating taxpayers and helping them in Commissioner activity statement talks, it demands company and instalment activity statements. These professionals use their theoretical and specialist knowledge and abilities to work autonomously and use their discretion when doing normal and non-routine tasks.

Current restrictions for professional job activities where this qualification may be used apply to this credential. People who offer their services in exchange for remuneration or another advantage in the form of a business activity statement (BAS) are required to sign up with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). The Telecommunications and Postal Branch (TPB) recognises this certification as fulfilling the educational registration requirements.

The government of Australia has given the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping programme the go-light. In order to get your FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, you will need to demonstrate that you have successfully completed eight (8) mandatory units as well as five (5) elective units.

The accounting and bookkeeping electives that graduates must take to earn this certification were selected by the Southern Academy of Business and Technology to guarantee that students acquire diverse abilities and knowledge in these areas.

Getting The Job

It's possible for a graduate to get work as a bookkeeper with the assistance of the school's placement office. Other work possibilities may be obtained in local newspaper classifieds, online recruiting portals, or public or private recruitment companies. Apply for the civil service test to work for the government.

Since almost every firm needs a bookkeeper, job seekers may choose to submit their applications to any company that interests them. Applicants may be considered for future openings even if none are now open.

Working Conditions

Most bookkeepers work a normal forty hours each week. They spend most of their time working in comfortable workplaces. Work moves at a consistent pace and is frequently repetitious, especially for those who are in charge of bookkeeping.

Throughout periodic book rebalancing and at the conclusion of the fiscal year, some employees may be required to work additional hours. Some of these employees are members of labour unions currently representing employees in their sector.

Conclusion

A bookkeeper plays a pivotal role in the financial health of an organisation, meticulously managing its financial records and transactions. They are the unsung heroes who ensure accuracy in the day-to-day financial activities, from recording financial transactions and updating statements to reconciling accounts and preparing reports.

This job demands a keen eye for detail, a strong grasp of accounting and bookkeeping principles, and proficiency in accounting software. The trust in a bookkeeper is substantial, as their work directly impacts the company's financial integrity and transparency.

A bookkeeper's role is not just about balancing books; it's about providing the foundational support that helps businesses make informed financial decisions, maintain compliance, and drive sustainable growth.

Content Summary

• Businesses worldwide depend on bookkeepers for accurate financial records and outstanding customer service.
• Understanding what it takes to be a bookkeeper might help you succeed, whether changing jobs or improving your skills.
•  The primary focuses of bookkeeping are recording financial activities and ensuring that data is correct.
• Bookkeepers manage an organisation's finances and provide data for accountants.
• Bookkeeping is about keeping sensible, orderly records of actions.
• A general bookkeeper regularly verifies the books.
• The duties of bookkeeping are typically segmented into various specialist divisions in large companies.
• Bookkeeping clerks are responsible for compiling financial records for the organisation.
• They are responsible for recording financial transactions, updating statements, and verifying the reliability of financial information.
• Keep track of debit and credit transactions, allocating each to a suitable account.
• Therefore, a future accounting profession can be attainable for you after gaining experience in bookkeeping first.
• Companies must keep precise records of money entering and leaving. You'd be responsible for that as a bookkeeper.
• In this position, you would be responsible for supervising a customer's or firm's financial data by maintaining track of their finances.
• In order to keep your financial records current and accurate, you could do your work on a computer utilising spreadsheets and accounting software.
• Keep the books in order and be in charge of the budget daily or monthly.
• Maintain oversight of the firm's payroll systems.
• Communicate with the customers, merchants, and financial institutions.
• Collaborate with accountants in order to manage the VAT returns.
• As part of your studies for the Certificate IV, you will need to get familiar with the appropriate GST and Business Activity units.
• Submit an application to the Tax Practitioners Board to enrol as a BAS agent.
• Education and Training RequirementsTo obtain employment as a bookkeeper, you must have completed at least 12 years of formal education, with a primary focus on accounting, bookkeeping, and business mathematics.
• Most organisations choose in-house bookkeeper training.
• Additionally, a bookkeeper with a business degree beyond high school will have a better opportunity for advancement.
• A two-year bookkeeping experience is required for the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) certificate.
• After graduating, you're likely to find work.
• If you grow bored quickly at your current job, this could be an excellent choice for your future career.
• You can work full-time for one company or part-time for numerous.
• You usually have enough control over your career.
• When compared to those of an accountant, the tasks and obligations of a bookkeeper are unique.
• However, the financial business needs both work possibilities.
• Start your career in bookkeeping and choose your pace and locations.
• You can enter the sector easily with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
• However, you may work in accounting or auditing with only a few more credentials, like a TAFE degree.
• Bookkeepers may work part-time or full-time depending on business needs.
• Bookkeepers who have earned industry certification are in great demand and have excellent earning capacity.
• In the modern world, having a reliable source of income can bring great peace of mind.
• Bookkeepers make a respectable living, which only improves with more expertise.
• Accounting may be a good choice to save enough money to travel and buy a house.
• Completing a degree at a TAFE can help you progress further in your job.
• Obtaining a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40217) is the most practical way to get valuable work expertise.
• Even while performing calculations by hand will still be necessary to guarantee accuracy in bookkeeping tasks and duties, a comprehensive understanding of accounting abilities related to information technology will put you ahead of the competition.
• After working in bookkeeping and realising you need further training, you can enrol in a TAFE course.
• You can be in charge of capturing and reporting financial data and planning and analysis if you have sufficient expertise.
• A bookkeeping job provides what most of us are looking for a reliable career.
• Accounting and bookkeeping workers are often thought to have a boring desk job.
• As a self-employed bookkeeper, you'll work with clients from all backgrounds.
• Your career potential is high if you are strong at networking.9.
• As technology and laws advance, the accounting sector changes.
• To be great, you must learn the latest best practices.
• You can succeed in bookkeeping if you want to and love what you do.
• After completing the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping course, you will be prepared to operate in any other company since it will provide you with the relevant skills and experience.
• The obligations of contractual bookkeepers, BAS Agents, and staff who undertake bookkeeping functions for companies in a range of sectors are covered in the FNS40217 Certificate IV in accounting and bookkeeping training.
• In addition to educating taxpayers and helping them in Commissioner activity statement talks, it demands company and instalment activity statements.
• Current restrictions for professional job activities where this qualification may be used apply to this credential.
• People who offer their services in exchange for remuneration or another advantage in the form of a business activity statement (BAS) are required to sign up with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB).
• The Telecommunications and Postal Branch (TPB) recognises this certification as fulfilling the educational registration requirements.
• The government of Australia has given the FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping program the go-light.
• In order to get your FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, you will need to demonstrate that you have successfully completed eight (8) mandatory units as well as five (5) elective units.
• The accounting and bookkeeping electives that graduates must take to earn this certification were selected by the Southern Academy of Business and Technology to guarantee that students acquire diverse abilities and knowledge in these areas.
• It's possible for a graduate to get work as a bookkeeper with the assistance of the school's placement office.
• Apply for the civil service test to work for the government.
• Since almost every firm needs a bookkeeper, job seekers may choose to submit their applications to any company that interests them.
• Most bookkeepers work a normal forty hours each week.
• A bookkeeper plays a pivotal role in the financial health of an organisation, meticulously managing its financial records and transactions.
• They are the unsung heroes who ensure accuracy in the day-to-day financial activities, from recording financial transactions and updating statements to reconciling accounts and preparing reports.
• This job demands a keen eye for detail, a strong grasp of accounting and bookkeeping principles, and proficiency in accounting software.
• The trust in a bookkeeper is substantial, as their work directly impacts the company's financial integrity and transparency.
• A bookkeeper's role is not just about balancing books; it's about providing the foundational support that helps businesses make informed financial decisions, maintain compliance, and drive sustainable growth.