If you’ve been curious about the role, I highly recommend seeking bookkeeping opportunities, whether you’re just dipping your toe in part-time, or ready to take the finance world by storm. Becoming an independent bookkeeper gives you even more job flexibility and higher earning potential in the long run. You don’t need to have a degree to become a bookkeeper (though education in finance, accounting, or business administration is always a plus!). Whether it be for a business or an organization, bookkeepers are often kept on retainer, working to maintain financial integrity for their employers. In this post, I’m sharing all you need to know about how to become a bookkeeper including salary expectations, necessary skills, and step-by-step tips to get you started. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS in its May 2023 data, the yearly average salary for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is $47,440.

Job responsibilities

Generally, bookkeepers handle the daily tasks of keeping track of a company’s financial transactions and accounts and producing basic financial reports. Accountants, who have more education and training in both technical and theoretical aspects of the field of financial reporting, have more high-level responsibilities. Accountant is a professional role, while bookkeeper is typically categorized as a paraprofessional role. Bookkeepers and other paraprofessionals fulfill roles which include handling some aspects of a professional task but don’t require full professional licensure qualifications. Starting as a bookkeeping clerk, you can progress to positions such as full-charge bookkeeper, accounting manager, or supervisor with experience and additional certifications. Some bookkeepers also choose to pursue higher education, such as a bachelor’s degree in accounting, to transition into roles like accounting analyst or certified public accountant (CPA).

Careers as a bookkeeper vs accountant

Bookkeeping is often considered an entry point into the field of accounting, allowing aspiring accountants to earn the practical experience required to further their career in the what degree do you need to be a bookkeeper field. One of the most common misconceptions about bookkeeping is that it is the same as accounting. The primary difference between bookkeeping and accounting is that bookkeeping requires professionals to input and verify financial records.

• You’ll need some training and certification to become a professional bookkeeper.
• As of May 2023, accountants earned between $50,440 and $137,280, with a median wage of $79,880, according to BLS.
• Requirements for CB certification are more extensive, as they ask for at least 3,000 hours of experience or two years of bookkeeping or accounting experience.
• You’ll be dealing with a lot of financial data and numbers in this career path.
• To get yourself to the stage where you’re ready to start your own business, a combination of education, certification, and mastery of the work tools are a good foundation.

Bookkeeper Career

You can begin building your professional network by attending industry conferences and events, joining professional associations and pursuing internship opportunities in the field. And while Accounting Periods and Methods both bookkeepers and accountants work in financial management, their roles are totally different. Many bookkeepers choose to become self-employed and offer their services to multiple clients. However, entrepreneurial skills, marketing knowledge, and business acumen are essential for success in self-employment.

Bookkeepers are often employed by professional, scientific and technical services companies, retail or wholesale companies, or financial firms. Other industries that employ bookkeepers include insurance and healthcare. For those with great computer and basic math skills and dedication, a bookkeeping job could ultimately turn into a well-paying career in accounting. Collaborate with your peers, support your clients and boost your practice.

Navigating a Bookkeeper Career without a Degree

In that case, whether you’re a freelance bookkeeper with several clients or simply looking to handle the bookkeeping for your own business, FreshBooks can help. Our cloud-based bookkeeping software solution is quick, efficient, and capable of saving you countless hours of administrative work. Taking software-specific certifications can also enhance your credibility. These will help prove your expertise in specific bookkeeping and accounting software to clients.

Start your own business

Bookkeeping might not sound like the fanciest career, but let me tell you – it’s a winner. According to Salary.com, the average bookkeeper yearly income in the United States is $44,950 as of Jan 01, 2025, with a normal range of $40,237 to $50,104. If mistakes are made, then it is best to correct them as soon as possible. You need to take care of yourself holistically, including mentally, physically, and emotionally, and Bookstime spiritually too.