How to kickstart a new career in bookkeeping

IS YOUR January all about budgeting and balancing your books? Then consider making a career out of it too.

Essential for every business, bookkeeping is steady job where you’ll never be out of work – and it pays better than many people think.

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• Bookkeeper, Packaging Source, London Area
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• Bookkeeper, polkadotfrog, Saxmundham
• Bookkeeper, EA First, Cambridge

It’s all about the money! Find out what you need to know to get started as a bookkeeper, from Sun Jobs.

What would I do in a bookkeeping job?

Bookkeepers keep financial records up-to-date and help prepare accounts.

They are used in every organisation from charities and small start-ups to the biggest international corporations.

In most organisations, bookkeepers will work alongside accountants to prepare financial documenting.

Typical duties include producing balance sheets and income statements, recording financial data in general ledgers, completing data entry and collecting transaction details and collecting and storing financial records.

You may also be asked to process invoices and payment receipts, complete VAT returns and tax returns, plus make use of bookkeeping software to generate financial reports.

How much do bookkeepers earn?

Starting salaries begin at around £18,000 while an experienced bookkeeper can expect to earn £35,000 upwards.

What qualifications do I need to become a bookkeeper?

As a minimum, you will need good GCSE passes in maths and English.

An A-level in business studies, maths or economics will also be looked on favourably by employers.

Most local colleges offer a Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, Level 2 Certificate in Accounting or Level 2 Certificate in Manual and Computerised Bookkeeping which would also help your application.

Many large and medium firms offer bookkeeping apprenticeships which take 12 months to complete.

You can find out more at the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers website.

What are the options for career progression as a bookkeeper?

The most common career path is to become a senior bookkeeper then either an accounting technician which allows you to take on more complex work, or train as an accounting manager, overseeing the entire accounting department.

If you are very career focused, you can consider studying for full accountancy qualifications and even progress to become a chief financial officer.

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