Accountant
Prepare and examine financial records, taxes and reports that guide business decisions.
- $83,680
- 4+ years
Business & Office career
Bookkeeper
Also called: Bookkeeping Clerk · Accounting Clerk · Full-Charge Bookkeeper · Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk
What bookkeepers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a bookkeeper do?
Bookkeepers record financial transactions, manage accounts payable and receivable, reconcile bank accounts, process payroll data and produce financial reports that keep a business’s books accurate and ready for its accountant. The median pay is $50,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–12 months, and employment is projected to grow -5.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$50,670$24.36/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year144,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationSome college, no degreeBLS classification
- Time to train3–12 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs1,532,400Employment, 2025
What bookkeepers do
Bookkeepers are the keepers of the financial record. They enter sales, expenses and payments, match transactions to bank statements, chase overdue invoices, prepare data for payroll and taxes, and help close the books each month so owners and accountants can trust the numbers.
Many bookkeepers learn through a certificate program or on the job, and software skills such as QuickBooks are essential. While BLS projects declining employment as software automates data entry, bookkeepers who offer analysis, cleanup and advisory services, especially to small businesses, remain valuable, and many work remotely or run their own practices.
Typical duties
- Record transactions in accounting software
- Process accounts payable and receivable
- Reconcile bank and credit card accounts
- Prepare payroll data and track payroll liabilities
- Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts
- Prepare financial statements and reports
- Help with month-end and year-end closing and tax preparation
Work environment and schedule
Bookkeepers work for small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits and larger companies, or for themselves serving multiple clients. The work is computer-based and often remote-friendly.
Schedule: Usually full-time weekday hours, with busier periods at month-end, quarter-end and tax season. Many freelance bookkeepers set flexible schedules.
A day in the life
- Download bank feeds and categorize transactions in QuickBooks.
- Enter and schedule vendor bills for payment, matching them to purchase orders.
- Send invoice reminders to customers 30 days past due.
- Reconcile the business checking account and investigate a small unexplained difference.
See a full day in the life of a bookkeeper →
Bookkeeper salary
Half of bookkeepers earned more than $50,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,000 for the lowest 10% to $74,550 for the top 10%.
Full bookkeeper pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a bookkeeper
- Learn bookkeeping fundamentals
- Master the software
- Gain experience
- Earn a credential
- Grow
BLS lists some college as typical. Many bookkeepers complete a bookkeeping or accounting certificate, and software certifications such as QuickBooks ProAdvisor are highly valued.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a bookkeeper →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- QuickBooks or Xero
- Bank reconciliation
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Payroll basics
People skills
- Accuracy
- Integrity
- Organization
- Clear communication with business owners
All bookkeeper skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Remote and freelance opportunities
- Clear, structured work
- Quick training compared with accounting degrees
- Path to accounting, payroll or your own business
Cons
- Projected job decline as software automates entry
- Detail work can be repetitive
- Deadline pressure at month-end and tax time
- Errors can have real financial consequences
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Bookkeeper (AIPB): From the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
- QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor: Free Intuit certification widely recognized by small businesses.
- Xero Advisor certification: For bookkeepers using Xero.
- Payroll certification (PayrollOrg FPC): Fundamental Payroll Certification for payroll specialists.
Career path
- Accounting Clerk: Process payables, receivables and entries.
- Full-Charge Bookkeeper: Manage the books through financial statements.
- Accounting Specialist or Payroll Manager: Specialize or supervise.
- Accountant or Bookkeeping Business Owner: Earn a degree or build a client practice.
Learn the job before day one
Our Bookkeeper training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as reconcile a bank account and record a journal entry, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Bookkeeper vs. Accountant · Bookkeeper vs. Administrative Assistant · Bookkeeper vs. Medical Coder · Bookkeeper vs. Customer Service Rep
Bookkeeper FAQ
Do bookkeepers need a degree?
Usually not. Many learn through certificate programs or on the job. BLS lists some college as typical, and software certifications are highly valued.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeepers record and organize transactions; accountants analyze, prepare taxes and financial statements and provide advice, often with a degree or CPA license.
Can bookkeepers work from home?
Yes. Cloud accounting software makes remote and freelance bookkeeping common.
How much does a bookkeeper make?
The median annual wage for bookkeepers was $50,670 ($24.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,000 and the highest 10% earned more than $74,550.
How long does it take to become a bookkeeper?
Most people need about 3–12 months of training. BLS lists some college as typical. Many bookkeepers complete a bookkeeping or accounting certificate, and software certifications such as QuickBooks ProAdvisor are highly valued.
Do you need a degree to be a bookkeeper?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “some college, no degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-3031 (Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.