A Quick Guide on How to Become a Bookkeeper

Thinking about other career options? A career in bookkeeping is a great option if you’re an organized person who’s good with numbers!

Bookkeeping is vital to a well-run business. So if you decide to become a bookkeeper, you’ll have a lot of job options to choose from!

Keep reading to learn what you need to do to become a bookkeeper!

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

Bookkeeping is an accounting job that’s vital to companies. A bookkeeper career involves recording the financial transactions of companies. It involves keeping track of all financial records using an accounting system.

A financial record requires documentation such as receipts or invoices. A bookkeeper keeps track of these documents and records and organizes them in their accounting system.

The financial transactions of the business from open to close are recorded by the bookkeeper. A bookkeeper can record the transactions using either single entry or double entry record keeping. The type of record-keeping depends on the company.

While seemingly similar to an accountant, a bookkeeper only records financial data while an accountant analyzes it. A bookkeeper is only responsible for collecting documentation of transactions, recording transactions, and organizing them.

An accountant takes those records and analyzes the data to see how the company could better its financial model. Bookkeeping is an important part of the accounting sector of a company.

What’s Needed to Become a Bookkeeper

There are a few things you’ll need to do before becoming a bookkeeper. You’ll need the knowledge and skills required for a bookkeeper to fit the job description when applying for jobs.

Have a High School Diploma

In order to become a bookkeeper, you’ll need a high school diploma. This is the minimum requirement for education for bookkeeping.

The classes you take in high school, such as math, English, and computers, will prepare you for a career in bookkeeping.

Bookkeeping requires the organization of a company’s financial records. So having strong writing and computer skills are important.

This role involves collecting and organizing numerical data, so strong math skills are necessary to do the job well. Bookkeepers organize numerical data on spreadsheets which requires both math and computer skills.

Earn a Bookkeeping Certification

The courses necessary for earning a bookkeeping certification will further prepare you for a career in bookkeeping. Programs like Microsoft Excel are the bread and butter of bookkeeping.

A bookkeeper uses this spreadsheet program to organize the financial data they receive from transactions. A spreadsheet allows them to balance credit and debit data and get a clear picture of the company’s financial records.

Having a bookkeeping certification will distinguish you from other people trying to enter the bookkeeping field. You will be more equipped for this job field and have the tools you need to succeed.

Universal Accounting School offers an online bookkeeping course to get you started on your career path!

Start Your New Career

If you’re ready for a career that will challenge you and be rewarding, a bookkeeping career is a great choice!

The tools you’ll learn from an online bookkeeping course will prepare you to become a bookkeeper and excel in your position. Everything you need is at your fingertips!

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