Bookkeepers manage and maintain the financial records of businesses. They use account books, computerised accounting systems and other forms of data management to ensure that all payments made and received by a business are accounted for. They handle accounts enquiries, arrange payments, record financial transactions, and check the daily cash flow of their organisation.

A bookkeeper is responsible for recording and maintaining a business’ financial transactions, such as purchases, expenses, sales revenue, invoices, and payments. Their focus is on accurate record-keeping and less focused on interpreting the data and analytics.

Bookkeepers are required all over the state, from large corporate bodies with offices all over Australia, to small local businesses in regional and city areas.


ANZSCO ID & Description: 551211: Maintains and evaluates records of financial transactions in account books and computerised accounting systems.

Alternative names: Finance Clerk,

Specialisations: Collection Officer, Costing Clerk, Financial Administration Officer, Payroll Clerk

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Bookkeepers need:

• strong organisational skills
• good maths skills
• data entry skills
• to be methodical and logical record-keeping and data management skills
• analytical skills
• focussed and detailed in their work
• enjoy having clear rules and methods for your work
• solid understanding of basic bookkeeping and accounting payable/receivable principles
• customer service orientation and negotiation skills
• accounting
• hands-on experience with spreadsheets and proprietary software
• enjoy balancing financial records and business transactions
• willingness to accept responsibility for the accuracy of financial records
• willingness to work in relative social isolation
• enjoy detail-oriented work

Duties and Tasks

• keeping financial records, and maintaining and balancing accounts using manual and computerised systems

• monitoring cash flow and lines of credit

• preparing and producing financial statements, budget and expenditure reports and analyses using account books, ledgers and accounting software packages

• preparing invoices, purchase orders and bank deposits

• reconciling accounts against monthly bank statements

• verifying recorded transactions and reporting irregularities to management

• may be required to prepare forms reporting business tax entitlements and obligations such as the amount of goods and services tax paid and collected

• An understanding of industry terminology

• Working knowledge of popular bookkeeping software

• Working knowledge of office software (such as Microsoft Excel, Word, etc.)

• Able to work with numbers quickly and accurately

• Able to concentrate for long periods of time and maintain accuracy in work

• Able to troubleshoot errors in account reconciliation

• Working knowledge of bookkeeping procedures, such as invoicing and financial report preparation
  

Working conditions

Bookkeepers mostly work in offices, although some may work in the administrative sections of other businesses such as factories or shops. They usually work during standard business hours. They work in close contact with accountants and other financial management staff in records and data management.

They may have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines, such as for month-end reporting. Bookkeepers who are self-employed may choose to set their own hours, but may have to open up their availability in order to accommodate meetings with clients.

Bookkeepers work in an officer-based setting, and may have the opportunity to work from home. They spend much the majority of their day using accounting and office software on a computer. Some of their day is spent attending meetings, which may involve local travel.

Tools and technologies

Bookkeepers may use traditional record keeping methods such as ledger books and filing systems, or they may use computers and data management programs. They may also spend a significant amount of their time on the phone, and may also need to be familiar with other office equipment such as photocopiers and fax machines.
 
Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a bookkeeper without formal qualifications. However, entry into this occupation may be improved with qualifications or previous work experience.

The Certificate III in Financial Services and Certificate IV in Bookkeeping are available from TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia. It usually takes 12 months to complete the course.

You can also complete a traineeship in bookkeeping or financial services. The traineeships take between 12 and 18 months to complete. The financial services traineeship is available as a school-based traineeship.

​Bookkeepers who provide Business Activity Statement (BAS) services for more than one company, including those employed by specialist bookkeeping companies, will need to either be registered as a BAS agent with the Tax Practitioners Board, or work under the supervision of a registered BAS or tax agent.

Did You Know? "One part interview, one part talkback...Tune in for Bookkeeper Radio! Broadcast bi-monthly via Zoom. Tune in on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of every month for ABN's Bookkeeper Radio, hosted by our very own DJs, Peter Thorp and Kelvin Deer! For each broadcast, your hosts will interview a prominent industry figure and then throw to listeners for questions and talkback. It's a fun, free and interactive way to keep up with industry news and trends. So grab your headphones and get ready to tune in to Bookkeeper Radio!" (Source: Australian Bookkeepers Network)

Accountant	Accounts Clerk	Actuary	Auditor
Bank Officer	Finance Manager	Financial Advisor	Financial Broker
Records Manager

Materials sourced from
the Job Guide,
Jobs & Skills WA [Bookkeeper],
Academic Invest [Bookkeeper; ]
Job Centre Near Me [Bookkeeper; ]
Your Career [Bookkeeper; ]