Bookkeeping Career in the USA: Salary, Skills, and How to Apply

Are you detail-driven, organized, and passionate about numbers? Do you enjoy working behind the scenes to help businesses thrive? As a bookkeeper in the United States, you will be responsible for maintaining detailed and up-to-date financial records compliant with regulations. Bookkeepers are considered the silent workhorses of the business world, from small startup bookkeepers to large corporations. If you want a challenging job that demands thorough understanding and concentration, then a career as a bookkeeper in the USA is the most suitable job for you.

Who is a Bookkeeper?

Anyone who keeps track of financial records is called a bookkeeper. Nowadays, most of the “books” you have will be digital data. However, some people still record every transaction in a physical book. You maintain a record of each time money is issued and received. You can also be responsible for receiving and keeping track of financial documents, like receipts and invoices.

Some bookkeepers handle payroll or audit accounts and also prepare financial statements. Any industry that generates or spends money needs a bookkeeper. Every company uses bookkeepers, including aerospace makers, sports bars, and fashion designers. Bookkeepers may work for large multinational companies or small local businesses. There is a wide variety of bookkeeping jobs available because this position is crucial to running a firm.

Types of Bookkeeping 

Bookkeepers do several various kinds of bookkeeping. The most popular types are single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping.

• Single-entry bookkeeping tracks all transactions in a single row. It is generally suitable for monitoring cash, taxable income, and expenses that are deductible from taxes.
• Double-entry bookkeeping documents every transaction twice, typically as a credit entry and a debit entry. In double-entry bookkeeping, accrual accounting is generally used for revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and equity.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Bookkeeper

The primary duty of a bookkeeper is to monitor and handle financial information. Since accountants are responsible for interpreting this data, bookkeepers concentrate more on creating and maintaining records than on conducting analysis. Among the various duties of a bookkeeper are:

• Documenting financial transaction information and tracking transactions
• Creating and filing financial records
• Processing the accounts receivable and payable
• Checking accounting data for accuracy
• Reconciling business accounts
• Processing payroll and monitoring payroll data
• Helping with tax returns and payments
• Collaborating with staff accountants when needed

Key Skills for a Successful Bookkeeper 

Business executives require competent bookkeepers who combine “hard” financial abilities with “soft” interpersonal skills in order to obtain a precise representation of an organization’s financial health. These skills include:

• Financial literacy 
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Time management 
• Ethics/confidentiality

Clean, accurate accounting not only provides business leaders with a current financial snapshot of their company but also allows them to assess its financial health.

Education Requirements

You must have a high school diploma to work as a bookkeeper. Usually, an experienced manager or another worker can provide you with on-the-job training. Self-study, internships, and experience can also help you master the skills required to become a proficient bookkeeper. You can prepare for a bookkeeping job by enrolling in classes on online accounting systems, payroll, and bookkeeping. Candidates may benefit from having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, depending on the company. Some bookkeepers use nationally recognized certificates to further their careers.

One of the numerous bookkeeping organizations, like the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers, offers certification after two years of employment. The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers also does that. These credentials serve as proof that you possess the abilities and expertise necessary to carry out bookkeeping duties in accordance with recognized accounting standards. The visa required for a bookkeeper in the US is the H-1B and 0-1 visas.

Salary Expectations

The average income for a bookkeeper in the United States is between $30,000 and $60,000. However, compensation will differ significantly according to the region, employer, and experience of the candidate. Bookkeepers are paid more in larger organizations, owing to the large volume of transactions and data. A big firm processes hundreds of transactions per second, whereas a small business may process fewer than one hundred per day.

How to Get Started as a Bookkeeper

1. Get a High School Diploma 

A lot of bookkeepers hold associate’s or bachelor’s degrees, compared to accountants. Employers typically simply demand that bookkeepers possess a high school diploma or GED. A high school diploma will give you the foundational writing, math, and communication abilities you need to work as a bookkeeper.

Students can also learn other relevant skills in high school, such as organization, time management, and teamwork. Although a college degree is not required, prospective bookkeepers who obtain an accounting or business admin associate’s or bachelor’s degree will be eligible to work for clients with more demanding educational requirements.

2. Acquire Training

There are several ways to obtain bookkeeping training. Many bookkeepers begin by educating themselves to use accounting software such as QuickBooks. They might also take online classes, read books, or attend seminars to understand the fundamentals of practical finance. Self-taught bookkeepers frequently obtain the abilities they require without formal training and instead learn on the job.

The duration of a self-taught bookkeeper’s classes will differ based on their schedule and the approach they choose. Bookkeepers may choose to intern in a nearby business or accounting firm. An aspiring bookkeeper can learn more about business finance and see other financial professionals in action through an internship.

3. Get Certified

Being certified may help both freelancers and paid workers. You can get the title of Certified Bookkeeper from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. One can also get certified by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. In order to obtain these qualifications, you must work as a bookkeeper full-time for a minimum of two years or a similar number of hours in a part-time job.

After passing an exam, you have to swear to abide by an ethics code. To become a Certified Public Bookkeeper, you can also take the Uniform Bookkeeper Certification Exam online. Certification can improve your chances of landing high-end clients, but it is not needed to be a successful bookkeeper. Some firms may only employ certified bookkeepers since they are expected to be knowledgeable and experienced.

4. Be a Freelancer

If you prefer to work as a freelance, your next step is to start your own bookkeeping business. Before becoming freelance, you may decide to work for a year or two in a regular bookkeeping role with a local company or accounting office, as most potential clients will prefer to hire someone with some real-world experience.

How to Apply

The first step in becoming a paid bookkeeper is to search for local or remote work opportunities. A strong resume that shows your bookkeeping abilities and lists any relevant professional experience is necessary to establish oneself as a suitable applicant. Here’s one way to find your perfect career match! Search and Apply for job openings that fit your skills, interests, and goals.