How to become a Bookkeeper

How to become a Bookkeeper For a Bookkeeper, it’s all about making sure the numbers add up… Any business, regardless of size, is required by law to keep a record of their financial transactions (or ‘keep books’). Transactions can include purchases, sales, receipts and other payments made by the organization or an individual within it.A bookkeeper’s main role is to gather and record the financial transactions of a business, detailing how much money the company makes and spends. Other tasks may include:Receiving and processing invoices for paymentProcessing payrollCalculating profit and lossEstimating revenue and expendituresManaging ledgers, and making sure the books ‘balance’Is it right for me?Having a strong aptitude for numbers is one of the key requirements of this position. You will need excellent concentration skills, and the ability to work to strict deadlines is essential.Other key skills and attributes include:An organised and methodical approach when completing tasksComputer literateA st rong attention to detailExceptional communication skillsHonesty and discretionCareer Progression? BookkeeperUp to 25,000 AccountantUp to 35,000 Management AccountantUp to 50,000What's it really like? My job involves a lot of processing and data entry, and sometimes I have to work to strict deadlines. It can seem dull to some people, but I see it like a puzzle. I really enjoy putting all the different pieces together, and being able to present everything when you’ve finished is really gratifying Get qualifiedWhile entry level positions usually wont require previous experience, you will often need to have some knowledge of standard bookkeeping practices, as well as specific bookkeeping software. There are some great bookkeeping courses  for beginners and specialised Sage bookkeeping courses which both have no formal entry requirements to start learning.