Bookkeepers perform general accounting duties. They maintain complete sets of financial records, keep track of accounts and verify the accuracy of procedures used for recording financial transactions. They are employed by private businesses, governments and virtually every other type of institution.
As a bookkeeper, you perform a variety of duties. You prepare, control, balance and check various accounts using standard bookkeeping methods. You enter daily financial transactions in a journal either manually or by computer. You maintain general ledgers recording the status of various accounts and make sure that all the accounts balance. You also balance the ledgers and prepare financial statements. To verify the accuracy of computerized and manual accounting and record- keeping systems, you may be asked to perform an audit. You may also prepare statistical, financial, accounting or auditing reports.
There is considerable job mobility in this field, since many different types of establishments have need of bookkeeping services. Experience as a bookkeeper may be a first step toward becoming a clerical supervisor. By acquiring some training, you could even become a professional accountant. Most bookkeepers earn hourly wages.
You can get a lot of satisfaction from this work if you enjoy working with numbers. Employers look for people who aren't afraid to ask questions and look for answers. Good bookkeepers are constantly improving and updating their skills, both on-the-job and through formal training courses. Many firms pay the cots of courses you take to develop further skills in bookkeeping, accounting and office administration.
To be a bookkeeper, you need to be well organized, careful and thorough. When dealing with large sums of money, you cannot afford to misplace or lose documents. Files need to be maintained and the work must be done on time.
Employers look for reliable and punctual individuals for this job since there is an ongoing and steady amount of work, that the employers depend on you to perform well. Unnecessary and frequent absences from work disrupt the work flow and cause problems for other employees.
Many bookkeepers handle cash. It is important that you are a person of integrity and honesty. For this reason, businesses such as large grocery stores often hire only people who have worked for them as cashiers. You also have to maintain a professional appearance.