One of the best ways to acquire the skills needed to be a bookkeeper is to take an online course. We've identified some online courses from Udemy and Coursera that will help you advance in your career. Since bookkeepers benefit from having skills like payroll tax returns, customer service, and reconciliations, we found courses that will help you improve these skills.
Bookkeeper Skills For Your Resume And Career
Research Summary. Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a bookkeeper. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of bookkeeper resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of bookkeeper resumes contained payroll tax returns as a skill. Let's find out what skills a bookkeeper actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.
- The most common hard skill for a bookkeeper is payroll tax returns. 12.3% bookkeepers have this skill on their resume.
- The second most common hard skill for a bookkeeper is customer service appearing on 10.1% of resumes. The third most common is reconciliations on 10.0% of resumes.
- Three common soft skills for a bookkeeper are computer skills, integrity and detail oriented.
Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a bookkeeper. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of bookkeeper resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of bookkeeper resumes contained payroll tax returns as a skill. Let's find out what skills a bookkeeper actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.
15 Essential Bookkeeper Skills For Your Resume And Career
1. Payroll Tax Returns
Here's how payroll tax returns is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Posted daily activity, oversaw budgets and reconciled bank accounts Produced monthly financial statements and processed quarterly sales and payroll tax returns
- Prepare and verify payroll tax information for withholding deposit and preparation of quarterly payroll tax returns.
- Prepared monthly financial statements, weekly/bi-weekly payroll and payroll tax returns for twenty-five small businesses.
- Prepared Monthly/Quarterly/Annual payroll tax returns, bank reconciliations, compiled statistical reports for management.
- Prepared Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Payroll tax returns and prepared governmental reports in compliance with strict standards.
2. Customer Service
Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.
Here's how customer service is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Recognized for providing excellent customer service while maintaining the confidentiality of assets and security of information.
- Provided superior customer service while answering phones, scheduling client consultations and managing office operations.
- Worked in several areas of accounting and administration to include Medical and customer service.
- Started as Customer Service Representative which entailed operating the register and helping out customers.
- Provided exceptional customer service, validated currency and registered information into the computer system.
3. Reconciliations
Here's how reconciliations is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Organized and maintained accounting functions including accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliations, general ledger accounts, cash deposits, and payroll administration
- Maintained accurate Accounts Receivable/Payable records * Responsible for daily reconciliations and deposits * Assisted with Payroll processing Target, Florida
- Performed journal entries, balanced ledger, performed bank reconciliations, controlled inventory, coordinated proper guest accommodation.
- Performed accounts receivable duties including invoicing, cash application, discrepancies, reconciliations and responding to customer conflicts.
- Perform administrative human resources support functions, bank reconciliations, workers compensation reports and benefits administration.
And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:
4. Data Entry
Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.
Here's how data entry is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Managed company-wide accounting and reporting functions for eleven subsidiaries including typing data entry into computer, assembled updated material.
- Ensured accurate data entry of parishioner giving, deposit offertory, and sent end-of-year giving statements to parishioners.
- Provide daily operational support for customer site including bookkeeping functions, data entry and basic technology support.
- Completed various administrative duties, including scheduling appointments and performing data entry and data retrieval services.
- Manage patient's database, ensure data entry accurately, and database maintenance effectively.
5. Journal Entries
Journal entries can be defined as an act of keeping or making records of any transactions either economic or non-economic. The journal entries are made in the accounting systems of an organization. The entries are filled with two main fields; debit and credit. The debit and credit must be equal at the end of a journal entry else it is not considered correct. The journal entries also keep the date of transactions and the names of the accounts that were affected by the transactions.
Here's how journal entries is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Generated and input adjusting journal entries to provide accurate financial statements.
- Recorded journal entries and established budgets for departments and administrators.
- Produced monthly financial statements with general journal entries.
- General Ledger account analysis and journal entries processing.
- Performed Bank Reconciliations and posted required journal entries.
6. Financial Transactions
The type of agreement held between two parties (buyer and seller) regarding an exchange of funds for an asset, is termed as a financial transaction. The financial transaction is the exchange of products, services, cash or credit, information, and other things of value among two separate entities for a common goal.
Here's how financial transactions is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Key Responsibilities o Financial Transaction Specialist o Cash Register Collections/Safe Deposits o Send/Receive funds through Western Union o Bill Payments
- Recorded daily financial transactions, balanced accounts and reconciled errors consistently using financial processes necessary to carry out objectives.
- Developed Excel spreadsheet system to account for financial transactions by establishing chart of accounts and re-defining several bookkeeping policies/procedures.
- Prepared correspondence, handled all financial transactions and acted as a property manager when required to support office operations.
- Maintained records of financial transactions by establishing accounts; posting transactions using a computer based software program.
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7. General Ledger Accounts
A general ledger account is a practice to keep a record of a company's total financial accounts. The accounts included in a general ledger lists the assets, liabilities, owners' equity, expenses, and income or revenue. It forms the basis of reporting a business's financial statements.
Here's how general ledger accounts is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Prepared bank deposits and reconciled bank statements Journal Voucher data entry, balanced general ledger accounts Customer service provided for account reconciliation
- Processed monthly financial close, including reconciliation of various general ledger accounts, payroll and non-payroll related.
- Monitored and reconciled general ledger accounts for all RFCU automated services while also assisting with payroll processing.
- Reconciled accounts, reviewed general ledger accounts and corrected journal entries through account analysis and reconciliation.
- Prepared bank reconciliations, balance sheet account analysis and analyzed and reconciled General Ledger accounts.
8. Bank Deposits
Any money that a customer chooses to leave with their bank account is a deposit. Deposits can vary in amounts and different banks have limits on the deposits their customers can have as a minimum. Banks charge customers for deposits especially when a teller is used by the customer to deposit money into their account.
Here's how bank deposits is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Managed Accounts Payable/Receivable and expense-control procedures, including account reconciliation, disbursements, and preparation of bank deposits.
- Prepared daily bank deposits and submitted financial reports to corporate management.
- Consolidated and balanced daily cash transactions and prepared bank deposits.
- Prepared accounts payable/receivable, bank deposits and reconciliations.
- Generated computerized checks and prepared daily bank deposits.
9. HR
HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.
Here's how hr is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Functioned as HR representative by facilitating interviews for department heads and leading new hire orientations.
- Provide HR assistance including coordinating interviews and other administrative tasks.
- Controlled all company A/P, A/R, general ledger, payroll, taxes, banking, HR functions, cash handling.
- Managed administrative assistant, supported human resources (HR), recruiting and project management teams and assisted in emergency management.
- Perform HR tasks such as processing, documenting and create new hire profile as well as Process payroll through ADP.
10. Purchase Orders
Here's how purchase orders is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Reconciled purchase orders with receipts and expenses Generated reports and attended bi-weekly accountant meetings at Duke University
- Generated Purchase Orders for CEO approval based on prior approvals of Purchase Requisitions by Site Managers/Supervisors.
- Worked closely with the purchasing department including generating purchase orders and resolving pricing problems.
- Handled diversified procedures including billings, invoicing, purchase orders and inventory verification.
- Received purchase order request for materials and equipment and prepared orders for installations.
11. Credit Card Accounts
Here's how credit card accounts is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Managed the executive team credit card account reconciliation.
- Reconciled credit card account statements.
- Reconciled credit card accounts weekly/monthly.
- Played a key role in the monthly accounting close by completing reconciliations for two bank accounts and two credit card accounts.
- Reconciled bank and credit card accounts and maintained and archived copies of bank, credit card, payroll and loan statements.
12. Sales Tax
Here's how sales tax is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Maintained sales tax records, and support documentation for accountability.
- Bank reconciliation Account receivable Payroll Quarterly payroll taxes Monthly sales tax
- Prepared all Federal and State employment, unemployment, and sales tax, W- 2, W-3, payments and reports.
- Performed most accounting functions using QuickBooks such as posting daily sales, sales taxes, entering daily deposits, and entering bills
- Represented company's clients with both federal and state agencies through power of attorney to resolve payroll and sales tax disputes.
13. Bank Accounts
Here's how bank accounts is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Answered telephone; scheduled appointments; filed paperwork; posted customer information to accounting software; reconciled bank accounts; organized/cleaned office
- Performed reconciliation of general and subsidiary bank accounts by gathering and balancing information monthly.
- Performed heavy bank reconciliations for premium and operating bank accounts.
- Conducted monthly reconciliation of bank accounts to ensure their accuracy.
- Delegated with reconciling operation and payroll bank accounts monthly.
14. Accounts Payables
Here's how accounts payables is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Manage accounts payables and receivables ensuring guidelines are maintained per company policy and procedures.
- Managed all aspects of bookkeeping including, accounts payables/receivables.
- Reconciled accounts payables and accounts receivables to ensure accuracy.
- Managed accounts payables and accounts receivables for condominium association.
- Record accounts payables on computerized accounting software.
15. Financial Reports
Here's how financial reports is used on bookkeeper resumes:
- Prepared and disseminated all required financial reports in compliance with Federal, State and Local financial reporting regulations.
- Collected, analyzed and summarized account information and trends to prepare financial reports for stakeholders.
- Assisted senior accountants in processing payroll, delivered financial reports and executed month end procedures.
- Provided financial reports to management relating to available account balances and upcoming accounts payable needs.
- Coordinated semi-annual association meetings and prepared financial reports, agendas, and minutes for meetings.
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The eight most common skills based on Bookkeeper resumes in 2023.
- Payroll Tax Returns, 12.3%
- Customer Service, 10.1%
- Reconciliations, 10.0%
- Data Entry, 6.6%
- Journal Entries, 5.1%
- Financial Transactions, 4.1%
- General Ledger Accounts, 3.6%
- Other Skills, 48.2%
skills are in demand
Jobs With Trending Skills
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List Of Skills To Add To Your Bookkeeper Resume
According to recent trends, the most relevant bookkeeper Resume Keywords for your resume are:
- 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
- Financial Reports
- Balance Sheet
- CPA
- Quickbooks Pro
- Payroll Processing
- ACH
- Financial Data
- Computer System
- Subsidiary Accounts
- Accounts Receivables
- AP
- Ar
- Business Transactions
- Tax Reports
- Trial Balance
- ADP
- Expense Reports
- Taxation
- W-2
- Vendor Invoices
- Loss Statements
- Fixed Assets
- Credit Card Reconciliations
- Customer Accounts
- PowerPoint
- IRS
- Credit Card Statements
- Payable Invoices
- Mathematical Accuracy
- Inventory Control
- Payroll Checks
- Bookkeeping Functions
- Collection Calls
- Tax Forms
- Delinquent Accounts
Real Examples Of Bookkeeper Resumes That Use These Skills
Build a professional bookkeeper resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your bookkeeper resume.
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Skills
 Employment History Bookkeeper 2011 - Present JobWarren, MI
Accounting Representative 2010 - 2011 JobWarren, MI
Student Assistant 2000 - 2010 JobWarren, MI
 Education High School Diploma 2000 - 2000 |
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Helen Thompson Bookkeeper Skills ArVendor InvoicesSales FloorQuickbooksFinancial StatementsStock RoomClient FilesNew CustomersPayrollProspective Customers Employment History Bookkeeper 2019 - Present H&R Block Ridgefield, NJ
Accounts Payable/Receivable Manager 2015 - 2019 Verizon Ridgefield, NJ
Sales Assistant 2014 - 2015 Sinclair Broadcast Group Columbus, OH
Education Bachelor's Degree Business 2011 - 2014 Ohio State University Columbus, OH |
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Frank Richardson Bookkeeper Experience Bookkeeper 2020 - Present PENN VETMain, PA
Accountable Clerk 2019 - 2020 Johnson O'hareMain, PA
Accounting And Administrative Assistant 2016 - 2019 Kelly ServicesMain, PA
Skills CPT Proper Codes Payroll Bank Deposits Balance Sheet Manual Checks Purchase Orders Dealer Trades W-2 Legal Documents Education Some College Courses Health Care Administration 2016 - 2016 Pennsylvania State UniversityMain, PA |
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Most Important Bookkeeper Skills According To Experts
What Soft Skills Should All Accountants Possess?
Dr. Henri Akono Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Maine Orono
-Teamwork
-Ability to work in teams (team-oriented)
-Interact with teammates
-Contribute to the team's work
-Keep the team on track
-Working remotely
-Communication (both written and oral)
-Written communication
-Memos
-Short papers
-Emails
-Oral communication
-PowerPoint presentations
-Use and quality of visual aids
-Making presentation videos using software such as zoom or Kaltura
-Others
-Time management
-Working under pressure
-Ability to complete the work within deadlines
-Self-motivation
-Attention to details
-Goal-oriented
-Understand firm strategy and objectives to the extent possible.
What Hard/technical Skills Are Most Important For Accountants?
Dr. George Young
Director, Florida Atlantic University
Besides becoming fluent in accounting, which is the language of business, students should take every opportunity to learn more about spreadsheet software such as Excel and increase their skills in using Tableau. These types of software enable accountants to analyze, summarize, and communicate their results in an understandable manner.
What Accountant Skills Would You Recommend For Someone Trying To Advance Their Career?
Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis
In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.
What Skills Stand Out On Accountant Resumes?
Dr. Henri Akono Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Maine Orono
-Both hard and soft skills are important for an accountant's success and should be included in accountants' resumes. To the extent possible, candidates should tailor their skills (on the resume) to the type of job they seek.
-Hard accounting skills encompass:
-Financial Accounting and Reporting
-Understanding of accounting rules and regulations (GAAP)
-Recording of journal entries & compilation of financial reports
-Ratio analysis or Financial statement analysis (for master level candidates)
-Some basic Financial modeling
-Controllership
-Budgeting
-Cost management
-Performance metrics
-Some financial reporting
-Business strategy and processes
-Internal controls
-Cost analytics (regressions, visualizations, etc.)
-Tax
-Tax reporting
-Tax compliance (federal vs. individual or both)
-Audit
-Auditing standards (PCAOB/AICPA)
-Audit risk assessment
-Audit procedures planning and substantive
-Analytical procedures
-Internal controls
-Materiality
-Audit Analytics (Alteryx, Tableau, PowerBi, etc.)
-Analytics for accounting/audit/tax
-Usage of software such as Excel to complete accounting-related tasks
-Use of visualization tools such as Tableau to complete accounting-related tasks
-Certifications
-CPA or intent to complete this
-CMA or intent to complete this
-Excel at least basic
What Type Of Skills Will Young Accountants Need?
Jaclyn Barkow
Clinical Assistant Professor of Accounting, Indiana University Northwest
In addition to the accounting skills necessary to perform the position's duties, communication, problem-solving, ability to ask questions, and adaptability are also excellent skills to hold. While the skills learned in each accounting course are vital to success, these additional skills will help to set young accountants apart from others who have limited skills in these areas.
Effective communication is so important in the accounting industry. Young accountants must be able to speak and write clearly to colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication is not just being able to hold a conversation. Accountants must be able to discuss information in a manner that is clear and concise. Part of communication is also being able to ask the right questions and learn from the responses received. Young accountants must ask questions to guide the learning process. Part of asking questions is to learn from the process and avoid asking the same question repeatedly.
Accountants must be able to critically evaluate information and problem solve as necessary. Textbook assignments tend to be very clear on what items are needed or not needed, but such is not always the scenario in the workplace. Young accountants must be confident in their understanding of accounting concepts and critically evaluate problems presented on a case-by-case basis.
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