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Research Summary. Here are some key points about hiring bookkeepers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a bookkeeper is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new bookkeeper to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a Bookkeeper, step by step

To hire a bookkeeper, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a bookkeeper:

  • Step 1: Identify your needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Writing a bookkeeper job description
  • Step 5: Post the job
  • Step 6: Interview process
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bookkeeper
  • Step 8: Go through the checklist for the hiring process
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1
Identify Your Needs

Before you get started with hiring a bookkeeper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

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Before you hire a bookkeeper, you should also consider the ideal background you'd like them to have. For example, what industry or field they have experience in, what level of seniority or education the job requires, and how much it'll cost to hire a candidate that fits the bill.

The list breaks down common bookkeeper roles and compares their salaries.

Type Of BookkeeperDescriptionHourly Rate
BookkeeperBookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy.$14-25
Account Payables AnalystAn accounts payable analyst is primarily responsible for managing and processing invoices and payments, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They are also responsible for coordinating with various departments to obtain and acquire data and invoices, submitting payments to external vendors and suppliers, identifying errors and inconsistencies, and providing corrective measures... Show More$18-35
Accounting TechnicianAn accounting technician is responsible for evaluating financial information procedures to support accounting and taxation tasks, verifying the accuracy of account statements for the reference of accountants. Accounting technicians manage the payroll processes, generate invoices, perform account reconciliations, analyze account receivables, prepare budget reports, and monitor the company's financial transactions... Show More$14-25

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Before creating a bookkeeper job description, imagine the ideal employee for this position and begin creating a profile. What skills do they have and what responsibilities do they have to be proficient in?

Here is a list of skills that are commonly associated with bookkeeper:

Common Skills:
  • Payroll Tax Returns
  • Customer Service
  • Reconciliations
  • Data Entry
  • Journal Entries
  • Financial Transactions
  • General Ledger Accounts
  • Bank Deposits
  • HR
  • Purchase Orders
  • Credit Card Accounts
  • Sales Tax
  • Bank Accounts
  • Accounts Payables
Check All Skills

Here is a list of common responsibilities that bookkeepers may be expected to fulfill:

Responsibilities:
  • Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
  • Perform journal entries, balance ledger, perform bank reconciliations, control inventory, coordinate proper guest accommodation.
  • Post and update of daily sales and purchases into QuickBooks system.
  • Execute monthly collection of Medicaid surplus funds from clients on a monthly basis.
  • Post resident receipts, Medicaid remittance, and process adjusting entries to the A/R detail.
  • Work closely with QC personnel for the planning of tooling and the flow process of PWB's.
Check all Duties

Cultural fit is also an essential factor that you shouldn't overlook. Consider how your perfect bookkeeper will contribute to the team dynamic and help grow the team's culture in a positive way. If you can include a clear vision of this in your bookkeeper job description, it'll help attract candidates who are better suited for the position.

Most Common States For Bookkeepers In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1Illinois7936%$40,846
2Massachusetts5468%$47,205
3Virginia5216%$40,593
4Maryland4237%$44,494
5Minnesota3927%$40,965

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3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in the job description is a good way to get more applicants. A bookkeeper salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, their level of experience, education and certifications, and the prestige of the employer. For example, the average salary for a bookkeeper in Arkansas may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level bookkeeper. Additionally, a bookkeeper with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

Updated March 16, 2023

Bookkeeper Salary Estimate

$40,337

$19.39 hourly

Entry level Salary
$30,000 yearly

Bookkeeper Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1District of Columbia$48,188$238
2New York$48,135$2382
3Massachusetts$47,119$232
4Washington$44,733$225
5Maryland$44,673$214

Bookkeeper Average Salary By Company

4
Writing a Bookkeeper Job Description

A job description for a bookkeeper role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a bookkeeper job description:

Example of Full Job Description

Bookkeeper(s) keep accurate records of agency financial transactions, monitor delinquent accounts, answer staff questions regarding billing issues. The Bookkeeper(s) use the agency automation system to manage and monitor the General ledger, Accounts Receivable, and/or Accounts Payable. Meets agency standards for timeliness and accuracy.

Fast-paced environment with significant telephone and personal disruption. Large number of multiple steps in complex system performed with accuracy and speed is essential
Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, based on eligibility. Benefits include: Medical Plan Employer Paid Life Insurance Flexible Spending Program 401k Profit Sharing Program Supplemental Benefit Programs such as: Vision, Dental, Disability Tuition Assistance Program Employee Computer Purchase Program Sick Leave Vacation Paid Holidays

Responsibilities

The statements on this job description are intended to describe the general nature of level of work being performed by incumbents. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required by all incumbents. Must function with minimal direction, discretion, and confidentiality. Must demonstrate independent judgment. Must possess excellent organization skills and have exceptional verbal/written communication skills. Provide excellent internal and external customer service by being responsive and timely. Ability to multi-task by prioritizing work and organizing own time. Input data, run and distribute reports from various sources on a periodic basis. Good working knowledge of Microsoft products including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Â

Requirements

Employee will utilize a personal computer and other office equipment in routine performance of job duties.. Position requires maintaining records, preparing various forms, verifying information and resolving common problems. Must perform other work as required or requested. Should possess computer processing skills. Ability to compose original correspondence, write reports, have effective interaction with people, and to communicate ideas and receive and process information from others. Ability to learn a systematic approach to accounting and to follow the approach with or without direction to maintain the integrity of the financial data of the agency. EDUCATION Prefer high school diploma or equivalent. General accounting and bookkeeping training, record keeping practices and training, or related job experience of greater than two years in a similar position preferred

5
Post A Job

To find bookkeepers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

  • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
  • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any bookkeepers they would recommend.
  • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bookkeepers with the right educational background.
  • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

Post your job online:

  • Post your bookkeeper job on Zippia to find and recruit bookkeeper candidates who meet your exact specifications.
  • Use field-specific websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
  • Post a job on free websites.

6
Interview Process

To successfully recruit bookkeepers, your first interview needs to be all about engaging with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

You should also ask about candidates' special skills and talents to see if they match with the ideal candidate profile you came up with earlier. Candidates who are good enough for the next step can then move on to the technical interview.

The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7
Send A Job Offer And Onboard Your New Bookkeeper

Once you've decided on a perfect bookkeeper candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should also include details such as benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

To prepare for the new bookkeeper first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources needs to make sure that a new employee file is created for internal recordkeeping.

8
Go Through The Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
  • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
  • Define job responsibilities and requirements
  • Establish budget and timeline
  • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
  • Write job description
  • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
  • Promote the job internally
  • Process applications through applicant tracking system
  • Review resumes and cover letters
  • Shortlist candidates for screening
  • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
  • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
  • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
  • Conduct background checks on top candidates
  • Check references of top candidates
  • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
  • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
  • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
  • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
  • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
  • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Bookkeeper

Hiring a bookkeeper comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting bookkeepers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of bookkeeper recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $40,337 per year for a bookkeeper, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for bookkeepers in the US typically range between $14 and $25 an hour.

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Hiring Bookkeepers FAQs

How Much Does A Good Bookkeeper Cost?

A good bookkeeper costs $19.39 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the bookkeeper experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of A Bookkeeper?

The duties of a bookkeeper are:
  • Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
  • Perform journal entries, balance ledger, perform bank reconciliations, control inventory, coordinate proper guest accommodation.
  • Post and update of daily sales and purchases into QuickBooks system.

Should I Hire A Bookkeeper With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire a bookkeeper with no experience. Hiring an entry-level bookkeeper with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

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