Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers maintain an organisation's financial records and help to prepare accounts for filing returns.

Also known as: Accounts clerk

• Starter salary£24,000 a year
• Experienced£35,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a bookkeeper, you could:

• process purchasing and sales invoices
• make sure bank statements match income and payment records
• prepare VAT returns
• check that accounts are accurate and up to date
• prepare wages and manage claims for expenses
• help to prepare annual accounts
• use computerised accounting systems
• handle commercially sensitive and valuable information

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths knowledge
• administration skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a bookkeeper

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course while looking for work. These are widely available and include:

• bookkeeping
• accounting
• computerised accounting for business

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a financial company, such as:

• Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Payroll Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Assistant Accountant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as an admin assistant with a company, for example on a part-time or temporary contract in an accounts or payroll department. You could then take a relevant qualification to become a bookkeeper.

Direct application

You can apply for jobs directly. Some employers may ask for up to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English. An A level in business studies, maths, economics or equivalent qualifications can also be useful.

Career path and progression

With experience and training, you could become an accounting technician and take on more complex work.

You may decide to study for a degree and qualify as an accountant.

You could also become self-employed and set up your own business.

Career tips

Familiarity with bookkeeping software can be helpful but employers will give you training in the the systems they use if they take you on.

Guides for this industry

• Accountancy & Finance: pay, interviews and getting started →

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