Career comparison
Accountant vs. Bookkeeper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Accountants earn more at the median ($83,680 vs. $50,670), while bookkeepers usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Accountants prepare and examine financial records, taxes and reports that guide business decisions. Bookkeepers record transactions, reconcile accounts and keep a business’s books accurate.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Accountant | Bookkeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $83,680 ($40.23/hr) | $50,670 ($24.36/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $56,020 – $144,090 | $36,000 – $74,550 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | -5.6% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 115,300 | 144,100 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Some college, no degree |
| Training time | 4+ years | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | CPA | Certified Bookkeeper (AIPB) |
| Work setting | Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and their own practices. | Bookkeepers work for small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits and larger companies, or for themselves serving multiple clients. |
What each job does
Accountant
- Prepare and analyze financial statements
- Record journal entries and reconcile accounts
- Prepare tax returns and tax planning
- Audit financial records and test internal controls
- Prepare budgets, forecasts and variance analyses
Bookkeeper
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, desk work, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose accountant if…
- I enjoy working with numbers and finding answers in data
- I’m detail-oriented and careful
- I value a stable, respected profession
Choose bookkeeper if…
- I like numbers and keeping things accurate
- I’m comfortable with spreadsheets and software
- I prefer structured, detail-oriented work
Still torn? Take the Accountant fit quiz and the Bookkeeper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, accountant or bookkeeper?
Accountants earn more at the median: $83,680 versus $50,670 for bookkeepers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bookkeepers typically train faster (3–12 months) than accountants (4+ years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects accountants to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with -5.6% for bookkeepers.