Bookkeeper Job Description

Contributor

By Kim M Clark
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (0 Ratings)

Have you ever heard the phrase, "I have someone who does my books?" Generally this is a bookkeeper who keeps track of the financial records for a company. The bookkeeper can work as an employee or be an outside service provider.

Training

Bookkeepers either have on-the-job training experience or have attended classes to teach them the proper procedures for record keeping. They are not certified public accounts, but much of their work is similar.

Checkbook Ledger

Recording and drafting checks, making bank deposits and reconciling the bank statements are part of the bookkeeper's responsibilities.

Accounts Receivable

The job duties include keeping track of invoicing and collecting outstanding accounts, whether in a ledger book or with the use of an accounting program.

Accounts Payable and Credit Lines

The operating expenses of the company is also recorded, filed and prepared for payment by the bookkeeper. This also includes keeping track of company credit cards and lines of credit.

Payroll

In a smaller company the bookkeeper keeps track of the payroll checks and records. This entails gathering weekly or bi-weekly time cards, checking hours, and calculating wages and tax withholding.

Taxes and Worker's Compensation

A bookkeeper also keeps track of all sales tax, withholding taxes and worker's compensation insurance dues.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheets

Bookkeepers provide important documents for management. Cash flow reports and balance sheets help to illustrate the company's financial standing for important decision making.