Bookkeeper

Career path and progression

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

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

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

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

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Mathematics - Bookkeepers work with numbers every day – calculating totals, checking invoices, preparing wages, and balancing accounts. Strong maths skills are essential for ensuring that all financial records are accurate and that figures add up correctly.
• Accounting - Bookkeepers record financial transactions, prepare income and payment statements, and help with annual accounts. Studying accounting gives a direct foundation in the principles of double-entry bookkeeping, ledgers, and financial reporting that bookkeepers use daily.
• Business - Bookkeepers need to understand how businesses operate, including how money flows through a company via sales, expenses, and wages. Business studies also covers topics like VAT and financial planning, which are central to a bookkeeper's responsibilities.

Also relevant

• Economics - Bookkeepers benefit from understanding broader economic concepts like taxation, inflation, and how markets affect business finances. This context helps them make sense of the financial data they record and spot trends in a company's income and spending.
• Computer Science - Bookkeepers use computerised accounting systems and spreadsheets to manage financial records efficiently. Understanding how software processes and stores data can help them work more effectively with these systems and troubleshoot issues when they arise.
• English Language - Bookkeepers communicate with clients, colleagues, and suppliers, and need to write clear invoices, statements, and financial summaries. Good written and verbal communication skills help them explain financial information accurately and handle queries professionally.