Top bookkeeper skills to look for in candidates
1. Bookkeeping
Included in 59.64% of bookkeeper job postings
While some companies train bookkeepers, you might prefer candidates with bookkeeping experience for quicker onboarding. The position typically requires knowledge of general ledgers, invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable and various financial documents.
Job description example: Two years of bookkeeping experience
Assessing the skill: Review resumes for bookkeeping positions or administer a bookkeeping assessment that covers basic principles. Verification of bookkeeper certifications can also help assess bookkeeping skills.
2. QuickBooks
Included in 52.69% of bookkeeper job postings
If your organization uses QuickBooks as its accounting software, you might look for candidates who have intermediate or advanced skills using the program. Various accounting software programs use different functions and tools. You can maximize your employee’s productivity if they know the basics of your software.
Job description example: Intermediate skills with QuickBooks
Assessing the skill: Ask each candidate to perform one or more tasks in QuickBooks during the interview.
3. Accounting
Included in 51.77% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeeper and accountant roles differ, but you may want your bookkeeper to have certain accounting skills. This can include knowledge of accounting standards, analytical reasoning, accounting software and financial reporting. Consider the specific accounting skills needed when creating your list of bookkeeper required skills.
Job description example: Familiarity with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Assessing the skill: Conduct online assessments that evaluate the specific accounting skills your company needs.
4. Communication skills
Included in 40.56% of bookkeeper job postings
Many bookkeeping duties involve computers and financial documents, but occasional interactions require communication skills. Your bookkeeper might need to follow up with employees to clarify financial data. If you run a bookkeeping service, the selected candidate may work directly with clients. Strong communication skills allow for excellent customer service and accuracy in their work.
Job description example: Strong verbal and written communication skills
Assessing the skill: Ask communication-related bookkeeper interview questions and, if applicable to your business, include scenario-based questions that focus on communication skills during interviews.
5. Microsoft Excel
Included in 37.86% of bookkeeper job postings
Microsoft Excel is useful in many bookkeeping tasks. Your bookkeeper might use the program for bank reconciliation, amortization schedules, cash flow and other financial data for your business. A candidate proficient in Excel can use it to analyze and calculate financial data.
Job description example: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Assessing the skill: Conduct an Excel assessment online or create an Excel assignment for candidates to complete during the interview.
6. Microsoft Office
Included in 26.67% of bookkeeper job postings
Some bookkeeping roles may require proficiency across the entire Microsoft Office suite. Word helps create documents while Outlook manages correspondence with email, contact and scheduling capabilities.
Job description example: Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
Assessing the skill: Arrange a Microsoft Office assessment online or ask the candidate to use the software to perform specific tasks during the interview.
7. Accounting software
Included in 21.44% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeeping typically takes place with accounting software. The automation saves time and improves the accuracy of your financial data. Since each program works differently, looking for experience in the specific program you use can shorten the new hire’s training time.
Job description example: Familiarity with accounting software programs
Assessing the skill: Look for accounting software programs listed on the resume or require candidates to complete a trial task using your accounting software.
8. Organizational skills
Included in 20.37% of bookkeeper job postings
Organization is essential for bookkeepers to ensure the accuracy of their data. They need to keep track of physical documents, such as invoices and receipts, before and after entering data. An organized filing system allows the bookkeeper and other employees to retrieve older documents when needed.
Job description example: Strong organizational and filing skills
Assessing the skill: Ask how each candidate keeps their bookkeeping data organized.
9. Time management
Included in 14.16% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeepers need time management skills because many bookkeeping tasks have rigid deadlines. For example, tax payments need to be submitted and payroll can’t be late. Falling behind on everyday bookkeeping tasks could result in delayed financial data.
Job description example: Effective time management strategies
Assessing the skill: Include interview questions related to time management and prioritization strategies.
10. Computer skills
Included in 13.81% of bookkeeper job postings
Because modern bookkeeping is primarily computer-based, consider choosing a candidate comfortable with technology. Candidates with strong computer skills know how to use various programs and conduct work more efficiently. Bookkeeping includes frequent data entry, so speed and accuracy are essential.
Job description example: Strong computer skills and comfort with various technology types
Assessing the skill: Conduct computer skills tests for candidates to determine their proficiency.
11. Analysis skills
Included in 13.75% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeepers need to ensure the figures they input make sense. They interpret or spot patterns and inconsistencies in financial data. Hiring someone with strong analytical skills could improve the accuracy of your financial data and help detect problems early.
Job description example: Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
Assessing the skill: Include interview questions that require reasoning or analysis related to bookkeeping topics.
12. Microsoft Word
Included in 13.09% of bookkeeper job postings
Microsoft Word allows bookkeepers to create documents, including templates or forms to track financial data. The program can also help employees create guides.
Job description example: Intermediate Microsoft Word skills
Assessing the skill: Administer a skills-based assessment to test Microsoft Word capabilities.
13. GAAP
Included in 12.68% of bookkeeper job postings
The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) provide a uniform approach to handling financial information. Bookkeeping candidates familiar with GAAP can complete the workload to the universally accepted standards. This enhances the accuracy and consistency of financial documents.
Job description example: Strong understanding of GAAP
Assessing the skill: Look for training or certification in GAAP, ask questions related to GAAP principles during the interview or administer a test to evaluate general GAAP knowledge.
14. Data entry
Included in 12.61% of bookkeeper job postings
A large part of the bookkeeping job involves entering financial data, where accuracy is crucial. Applicants with data entry experience may be more efficient, organized and capable of handling large volumes of information with precision.
Job description example: Two years of data entry experience
Assessing the skill: Set up a data entry test online to evaluate your candidate’s speed and accuracy.
15. Accounts payable
Included in 11.1% of bookkeeper job postings
The scope of a bookkeeper’s job depends on the size and structure of your organization. Some bookkeepers handle all finances, while others focus on a particular area, such as accounts payable. If the candidate will handle outgoing payments in any capacity, look for previous accounts payable experience.
Job description example: Accounts payable experience
Assessing the skill: Use an online assessment to evaluate accounts payable skills.
16. Customer service
Included in 10.91% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeepers interact with different parties depending on their job duties. In a bookkeeping service, your bookkeepers work directly with clients and need to provide exceptional customer service. Accounts receivable and accounts payable positions interact with vendors, clients and other stakeholders to resolve issues. Strong customer service may also improve your company’s reputation.
Job description example: Effective customer service skills
Assessing the skill: Include scenario-based interview questions to assess customer service skills.
17. Payroll
Included in 10.63% of bookkeeper job postings
If your bookkeeper is responsible for processing payroll, look for previous payroll experience. Payroll accuracy is also essential for calculating and paying taxes.
Job description example: Experience preparing and submitting payroll reports
Assessing the skill: Conduct assessments on basic payroll skills and ask questions about how the candidate would handle payroll issues.
18. English
Included in 9.21% of bookkeeper job postings
For some roles, Bookkeepers may need an understanding of the English language to perform their job duties and generally communicate with team members or clients to gather information.
Job description example: Proficiency in spoken and written English
Assessing the skill: Include language testing during the hiring process.
19. Bilingual
Included in 6.72% of bookkeeper job postings
In some settings, bookkeepers work with clients who speak different native languages. If you have a large clientele that speaks a language other than English, consider adding a language requirement to your bookkeeper skills list.
Job description example: Fluency in Arabic and English
Assessing the skill: Require candidates to take language tests if your open position requires fluency in two or more languages.
20. Microsoft Outlook
Included in 5.87% of bookkeeper job postings
If you use Microsoft Outlook as your primary communication tool, consider looking for candidates who are familiar with the contact management, email and calendar functionalities within the program.
Job description example: Intermediate Microsoft Outlook skills
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to do an online Outlook assessment.
21. 10-key typing
Included in 5.45% of bookkeeper job postings
With the need to enter so many numbers, bookkeepers often use the keypad for 10-key typing to speed up the process. Effective bookkeepers can type numbers quickly and accurately using the layout on the number keypad. Efficient speeds can increase your bookkeeping team’s productivity.
Job description example: Average 10-key typing speed of 9,000 KPH
Assessing the skill: Require candidates to complete a 10-key typing test.
22. Xero
Included in 5.31% of bookkeeper job postings
Xero is another accounting software option commonly used by organizations. If your new hire will use Xero regularly, consider including it in your bookkeeper job description. Knowing how to use the software helps them work efficiently and increase productivity.
Job description example: Experience using Xero
Assessing the skill: Conduct an assessment using Xero.
23. Account reconciliation
Included in 4.91% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeepers often perform account reconciliation duties to verify financial information. It’s essential to have accurate information and spot discrepancies early, so account reconciliation skills can help the candidate perform the job well.
Job description example: Experience reconciling bank statements, credit card statements and other financial accounts
Assessing the skill: Include an online assessment that requires candidates to perform an account reconciliation task.
24. Accounts receivable
Included in 4.48% of bookkeeper job postings
Bookkeepers who handle accounts receivable duties need an understanding of how to handle incoming payments and amounts owed to the company. Accurate documentation in accounts receivable is essential for maintaining cash flow.
Job description example: Ability to oversee and manage the accounts receivable process
Assessing the skill: Include accounts receivable mock tasks during the interview to evaluate their understanding.
25. Management
Included in 4.08% of bookkeeper job postings
In organizations with multiple bookkeepers, some take on a supervisory role within the department. That position trains and guides other bookkeepers to ensure consistency and productivity. Previous management skills in bookkeeping or other industries can translate well into this position.
Job description example: Previous supervisory experience in a bookkeeping department
Assessing the skill: Ask management-related questions as they would pertain to the bookkeeping department in the interview.
Other top bookkeeper skills in-demand
Here are an additional 24 bookkeeper skills that are common in bookkeeper job postings on Indeed:
26. Writing skills: Included in 3.85% of bookkeeper job postings
27. General ledger reconciliation: Included in 3.79% of bookkeeper job postings
28. General ledger accounting: Included in 3.71% of bookkeeper job postings
29. Spanish: Included in 3.64% of bookkeeper job postings
30. Typing: Included in 3.42% of bookkeeper job postings
31. Budgeting: Included in 3.03% of bookkeeper job postings
32. Sage: Included in 3.02% of bookkeeper job postings
33. Leadership: Included in 2.7% of bookkeeper job postings
34. Office experience: Included in 2.67% of bookkeeper job postings
35. Account analysis: Included in 2.57% of bookkeeper job postings
36. Math: Included in 2.28% of bookkeeper job postings
37. Basic math: Included in 2.21% of bookkeeper job postings
38. Microsoft PowerPoint: Included in 2.16% of bookkeeper job postings
39. Sales: Included in 2.13% of bookkeeper job postings
40. Negotiation: Included in 2.03% of bookkeeper job postings
41. Construction: Included in 1.9% of bookkeeper job postings
42. Administrative experience: Included in 1.89% of bookkeeper job postings
43. Governmental accounting: Included in 1.87% of bookkeeper job postings
44. Filing: Included in 1.81% of bookkeeper job postings
45. Tax experience: Included in 1.65% of bookkeeper job postings
46. Public accounting: Included in 1.64% of bookkeeper job postings
47. Technical accounting: Included in 1.52% of bookkeeper job postings
48. Balance sheet reconciliation: Included in 1.32% of bookkeeper job postings
49. Google Suite: Included in 1.3% of bookkeeper job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – December 2023
