How to Hire a Bookkeeper

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

The hiring market for bookkeepers

There are about 1,532,400 bookkeepers employed in the U.S., with roughly 144,100 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -5.6% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.

Pay benchmarks for offers

*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.

What to look for

Where to find bookkeepers

• Community college business programs and career centers
• Professional associations (such as SHRM, PMI and state CPA societies)
• LinkedIn and niche job boards
• Internal promotion from front-line roles
• Job postings that use common alternate titles: Bookkeeping Clerk, Accounting Clerk, Full-Charge Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk

Screening checklist

• A skills assessment (Excel, writing or role software)
• Credential verification (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificate)
• Reference checks focused on reliability and accuracy
• A structured interview with a short work sample

Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.

1. “Walk me through a bank reconciliation.”

What a strong answer includes: Describe matching, outstanding items and resolving differences.

2. “Which accounting software have you used?”

What a strong answer includes: Name QuickBooks, Xero or others and your level.

3. “How do you handle a client who sends records late?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain setting deadlines, reminders and clear communication.

4. “What’s the difference between accrual and cash accounting?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain timing of income and expense recognition.

5. “Tell me about a mistake you caught.”

What a strong answer includes: Show attention to detail and fixes.

Practical skills checks

A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:

• Reconcile a Bank Account (see the steps)
• Record a Journal Entry (see the steps)
• Complete a Month-End Close Checklist (see the steps)

Red flags

• Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
• Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
• Unfamiliar with core terms such as Double-entry bookkeeping, Debit, Credit
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Bookkeeper 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Bookkeeper training. Show them the path forward: Accounting Clerk → Full-Charge Bookkeeper → Accounting Specialist or Payroll Manager → Accountant or Bookkeeping Business Owner.

Hiring bookkeepers: FAQ

How much should I pay a bookkeeper?

The U.S. median wage for bookkeepers is $50,670 per year ($24.36/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($43,520), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($61,470). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should a bookkeeper have?

BLS lists “some college, no degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Certified Bookkeeper (AIPB) and QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor where relevant, plus skills such as double-entry bookkeeping, quickbooks or xero, and bank reconciliation.

How long does it take to train a new bookkeeper?

Becoming qualified typically takes 3–12 months. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”