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Bookkeeper Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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12 min read

A bookkeeper is a financial professional who updates a company’s financial accounts and records. Duties you may want to include in your bookkeeper job description are: checking accounting records for accuracy, tracking invoices and payments and maintaining a system for organizing company financial documents.

In this article, you can learn about the duties, responsibilities and background typically required for your open position to help write an effective job description.

Bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Bookkeepers handle an organization’s financial reporting and tracking functions. They enter transactions often initiated by clerks, office managers and payroll specialists and manage recordkeeping for an organization’s accounts.

Common bookkeeper duties include:

  • Recording transactions in the appropriate company account ledgers using spreadsheets or accounting software
  • Reviewing account ledgers for accuracy and correcting errors, such as duplications or typos 
  • Preparing and filing basic financial documents, such as income statements, profit and loss (P&L) statements and totals by account
  • Reconciling accounts by comparing bank information to records
  • Organizing receipts, invoices and physical copies of financial documents
  • Assisting with tax payments and returns
  • Maintaining compliance with financial reporting regulations, such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Completing research and aiding staff accountants as needed

What does a bookkeeper do?

Bookkeepers help ensure organizations have accurate financial data when seeking credit, filing taxes, preparing budgets and completing other tasks. Some may work within a company’s in-house accounting department, overseeing financial transactions. These professionals may also process payroll, prepare customer invoices and submit vendor payments for services or materials.

Others may work for an accounting or bookkeeping firm that handles company ledgers for multiple clients. Professionals in these environments can likely benefit from strong time management and organizational skills.

Bookkeeper skills and qualifications

Strong candidates often demonstrate computer proficiency, time management and financial reporting skills, which may be important for success in this role. Basic cash flow analysis or attention to detail are also valuable competencies that set top candidates apart.

You might list these skills in your bookkeeper job description: 

  • Basic knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting methods, including double-entry bookkeeping, accrual accounting and cash accounting
  • Strong math skills to calculate debits and credits to accounts and complete account reconciliations
  • Experience entering transactions into accounting software programs, such as QuickBooks and Xero
  • Ability to use spreadsheets and accounting software to produce key financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, accounts payable (AP) statements and accounts receivable (AR) statements
  • Understanding of basic tax liabilities, including payroll and sales tax
  • Familiarity with laws and regulations related to the preparation of financial statements
  • Analytical skills to identify errors or discrepancies
  • Communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with accounting team members

Bookkeeper experience requirements

Candidates can develop bookkeeping skills by working in positions that involve recording transactions, performing financial calculations or reconciling accounts. For example, candidates may have worked as data entry clerks, AP specialists, AC specialists and tax preparers.

Candidates may also develop relevant skills through volunteer positions. For example, serving as a community or school group treasurer may involve bookkeeping duties.

Bookkeeper education and training requirements

Bookkeepers don’t typically need formal education. Quality candidates may have acquired skills through work history, on-the-job training with previous employers or post-secondary certificate and degree programs.

Voluntary certifications can also signal that a candidate possesses relevant skills for bookkeeper positions. These credentials typically involve meeting education and experience requirements and passing written examinations. Some common certifications for bookkeepers include Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) and Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).

Bookkeeper salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a bookkeeper is $47,427 per year. Compensation can vary based on location and a candidate’s experience, education, certification and skills.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description sample isn’t quite what you’re searching for, consider these related job titles for inspiration:

Bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Text reads: "Sample bookkeeper duties: Record financial transactions, update and maintain financial records, manage accounts using specialized software, traffic company income and expenditures."

Bookkeepers handle an organization’s financial reporting and tracking functions. They enter transactions often initiated by clerks, office managers and payroll specialists and manage recordkeeping for an organization’s accounts.

Common bookkeeper duties include:

  • Recording transactions in the appropriate company account ledgers using spreadsheets or accounting software
  • Reviewing account ledgers for accuracy and correcting errors, such as duplications or typos 
  • Preparing and filing basic financial documents, such as income statements, profit and loss (P&L) statements and totals by account
  • Reconciling accounts by comparing bank information to records
  • Organizing receipts, invoices and physical copies of financial documents
  • Assisting with tax payments and returns
  • Maintaining compliance with financial reporting regulations, such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Completing research and aiding staff accountants as needed

Hire your next Bookkeeper today

Create job description

Hire your next Bookkeeper today

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Bookkeeper Job Description Examples

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Guide helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

What does a bookkeeper do?

Bookkeepers help ensure organizations have accurate financial data when seeking credit, filing taxes, preparing budgets and completing other tasks. Some may work within a company’s in-house accounting department, overseeing financial transactions. These professionals may also process payroll, prepare customer invoices and submit vendor payments for services or materials.

Others may work for an accounting or bookkeeping firm that handles company ledgers for multiple clients. Professionals in these environments can likely benefit from strong time management and organizational skills.

Bookkeeper skills and qualifications

Strong candidates often demonstrate computer proficiency, time management and financial reporting skills, which may be important for success in this role. Basic cash flow analysis or attention to detail are also valuable competencies that set top candidates apart.

You might list these skills in your bookkeeper job description: 

  • Basic knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting methods, including double-entry bookkeeping, accrual accounting and cash accounting
  • Strong math skills to calculate debits and credits to accounts and complete account reconciliations
  • Experience entering transactions into accounting software programs, such as QuickBooks and Xero
  • Ability to use spreadsheets and accounting software to produce key financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, accounts payable (AP) statements and accounts receivable (AR) statements
  • Understanding of basic tax liabilities, including payroll and sales tax
  • Familiarity with laws and regulations related to the preparation of financial statements
  • Analytical skills to identify errors or discrepancies
  • Communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with accounting team members

Bookkeeper experience requirements

Candidates can develop bookkeeping skills by working in positions that involve recording transactions, performing financial calculations or reconciling accounts. For example, candidates may have worked as data entry clerks, AP specialists, AC specialists and tax preparers.

Candidates may also develop relevant skills through volunteer positions. For example, serving as a community or school group treasurer may involve bookkeeping duties.

Bookkeeper education and training requirements

Bookkeepers don’t typically need formal education. Quality candidates may have acquired skills through work history, on-the-job training with previous employers or post-secondary certificate and degree programs.

Voluntary certifications can also signal that a candidate possesses relevant skills for bookkeeper positions. These credentials typically involve meeting education and experience requirements and passing written examinations. Some common certifications for bookkeepers include Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) and Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).

Bookkeeper salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a bookkeeper is $47,427 per year. Compensation can vary based on location and a candidate’s experience, education, certification and skills.

Bookkeeper salary expectations

2025-12-018.8523.3644.65HOURLY
  • Common salary: 23.36 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 8.85 - 44.65 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-12-01

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description sample isn’t quite what you’re searching for, consider these related job titles for inspiration:

Bookkeeper job description FAQs

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Bookkeepers and accountants both support financial health and compliance for employers. Bookkeepers generally manage daily financial transactions, while accountants may develop tax mitigation strategies and conduct audits of ledgers maintained by bookkeepers.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and a data entry clerk?

Bookkeepers and data entry clerks both manage information databases and enter detailed information into company records. However, bookkeepers prioritize financial information, while data entry clerks can work in any company department. Clerks may also digitize hard copies of paper records.

Who does a bookkeeper report to?

Depending on their business size, bookkeepers may report directly to business owners or an accounting department leader, such as the head accountant, accounting manager or data analyst.

Alternatively, a bookkeeper’s supervisor may be responsible for overseeing compliance, such as a controller or assistant controller. At larger organizations, bookkeepers may work in a team led by a senior bookkeeper or bookkeeping supervisor.

What makes a good bookkeeper job description?

To write an effective bookkeeper job description, you can list specific duties, including the types of transactions and financial reports the selected candidate will handle. Consider discussing your company’s accounting software and tools.

You might also mention the department’s structure, including the supervisor of the position. To help set your description apart, consider adding information about your company culture and the perks and benefits of joining your team.

Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

Bookkeeper job description FAQs

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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