Career Choice: Bookkeepers

What do Bookkeepers do?

Expenditures. Receipts. Accounts payable and receivable. Profits and losses. Any organisation that uses money has to keep records, records of where money came from and where it went. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, and other financial clerks, keep these financial records.

Bookkeepers add, subtract, multiply, and divide many numbers each day. They must be able to use computers to calculate and record data. There is a wide variety of Bookkeepers. Certain clerks handle only specific accounts. Some bookkeepers maintain books for an entire company.

In small businesses, Bookkeepers handle all financial recordkeeping. They post debits and credits. They produce financial statements. They prepare reports and summaries for managers. Bookkeepers also prepare bank deposits. They verify and balance receipts. Then they send cash and checks to the bank. They also may handle payroll and make purchases. They might prepare invoices and keep track of overdue accounts.

In large companies, accounting clerks have more specialised tasks. Their titles show the type of work they do: accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk. Their duties vary.

Entry-level accounting clerks post transactions, total accounts, and compute interest charges. They also may monitor loans and accounts. They make sure that payments are up to date. More advanced accounting clerks may total, balance, and reconcile billing vouchers. They might ensure completeness and accuracy of account data.

Many Bookkeepers use special software. Computers have enabled them to take on more duties. They might write letters, make phone calls to clients, and interact with other workers. So, good communication skills are becoming more important.

Most Bookkeepers work regular business hours. They may work longer hours at certain times to meet deadlines. For example, they might work more hours during tax time. Audits usually mean more work. Bookkeepers in hotels, restaurants, and stores may work overtime during peak holiday and vacation seasons.

How do I prepare to become a Bookkeepers ?

Most financial clerks have at least a high school diploma. Bookkeepers are often required to have an associate degree. Business or accounting degrees are most common. Workers with bachelor's degrees are likely to start at higher salaries. They also may advance more easily than those without degrees.

Experience working in an office is beneficial. Customer service work is also good experience. Most employers prefer workers with good speaking and writing skills. It's good to know how to use a computer. Knowledge of word-processing and spreadsheet software is very valuable.

What are the earning potentials?

Weekly Earnings (full time and before tax)

• $650 - All Ages
• $643 - Ages 20-24

Source: ABS Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, August 2003.

What are the Job prospects for Bookkeepers ?

• Very Good < Bookkeepers
• Good
• Average
• Below Average
• Limited