How to Become a Bookkeeper

Do you like working with numbers and keeping track of where all the money goes? Are you a tenacious go-getter who is detail oriented and ready for a challenge? If this describes you, you may enjoy a rewarding career as a bookkeeper.

A bookkeeper has many duties however their chief responsibility is the accounting records of a given business. Every business regardless of size must have a bookkeeper to keep the financial records in order and in balance. Some businesses still use the manual accounting method, which is kept in hand written multi-column ledgers and others use computers with sophisticated software to keep up with all company transactions.

Bookkeepers handle the company’s cash flow, which are all monies coming in (income) as well as all monies going out (expenses). Bookkeepers handle all accounts receivables (money owed to the business), accounts payable (money the business owes to others), payroll, lines of credit, and any other financial accounts and transactions related to the business.

Bookkeepers are responsible for reconciling bank accounts, preparing financial statements, which are income and balance sheets showing the company’s current and year-to-date standing of profit or loss. They prepare monthly or quarterly tax reports, prepare and balance pertinent financial data and pass it on to an accountant for quarterly report filing such as, payroll taxes and annual income tax return preparation. In many companies, the bookkeeper is also responsible for inventory and other duties, which are industry specific.

A bookkeeper’s job is never boring changing from day to day with new transactions and challenges. In the event an account is out of balance or any other discrepancy is found, it is the bookkeeper’s responsibility to find the error and make any necessary corrections to bring the books back in order.

Formal education in bookkeeping offers the necessary skills to command a commensurate salary ranging from $35.00 to $45.00 per hour with the possibility for future advancement. Depending on the program you choose, course study may include accounting principles, business math, communications, computerized accounting, writing, managerial accounting, excel, taxation, and cash flow and budgeting to name a few.

Interpersonal skills needed in a bookkeeping position include, initiative, being a motivated self-starter, excellent written and oral communication skills, and management skills necessary to lead a team. There are no prerequisite work or class requirements, which enable students to enter directly into bookkeeping courses for diploma or advanced diploma levels.

Jumpstart your career today and get on the fast track to securing a high paying position in bookkeeping. You can receive a formal bookkeeping education in as little 9 weeks for the short course, 14 weeks for the certificate of completion level, and 24 weeks for the executive diploma level.   

Programs are available at local colleges and universities as well as online to best suit your budget, lifestyle, and the amount of time you have available to devote to course study. The most common types of programs offered in bookkeeping include certificate programs, diploma’s, advanced diploma’s, an associate’s degrees, and a bachelor’s degree. For on campus programs, consult your local community college or university for a list of available courses and curriculum however, if you need more flexibility and freedom in your studies, an excellent distance learning course offering bookkeeping via home study is http://www.ici.net.au/bookkeeping-courses/