What does a charge bookkeeper do?
A full charge bookkeeper's primary job is to manage and handle all the accounts of a small or medium-sized business. They are responsible for overseeing the accounting duties for a company, including billing customers, preparing bank statements and tax returns, and processing timesheets. Also, a full charge bookkeeper collates and enters vendor expenses, maintains the ledger's accuracy, and process accounts receivables. There are specific requirements you should meet to become a successful full charge bookkeeper, such as having a bachelor's degree in accounting, previous work experience as a charge bookkeeper, and bookkeeping certification.
Charge bookkeeper responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real charge bookkeeper resumes:
- Accomplish annual workers comp and business liability audits.
- Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
- Handle monthly account reconciliations and oversee and are responsible for quarterly financial reporting to company CPA.
- Perform a variety of diversify responsibilities including: account management, reconciliations, generating checks, preparing bank deposits.
- Handle A/P, A/R, G/L, F/S, P/R, reconcile bank statement and customer relations.
- Support internal, external, and SOX audits.
- Prepare and enter monthly journal entries, using PeopleSoft.
- Systematize accounting data for corporation; from Peachtree to QuickBooks.
- Assist in setting and monitoring monthly accruals and all general ledger activity.
- Process employee garnishments, workman's comp claims, vacation and sick time.
- Prepare schedule and analysis of receivables, payables, prepayments and accrual accounts.
- Convert manual accounting records to Peachtree accounting software system for logging and trucking company.
- Prepare checks, including ACH transactions, wire transfers, web payments, and backup documentation.
- Enter wire and ACH payments and works with bank representative to handle problems if they should arise.
- Maintain employee records, calculate and enter employee hours, tips, commissions and deductions in ADP payroll processing system.
Charge bookkeeper skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Charge Bookkeepers are proficient in Reconciliations, Payroll Tax Returns, and Balance Sheet. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Computer skills.
We break down the percentage of Charge Bookkeepers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Reconciliations, 17%
Performed a variety of diversified responsibilities including: account management, reconciliations, generating checks, preparing bank deposits.
- Payroll Tax Returns, 10%
Managed electronic payroll process using Payroll Solutions and prepared payroll tax returns.
- Balance Sheet, 5%
Performed periodic reconciliation of balance sheet and related revenue and expense accounts to general ledger and subsidiary reports.
- Fixed Assets, 5%
Capitalized fixed assets-updated monthly, accumulated depreciation schedule in Excel.
- Excellent Organizational, 5%
Maintained excellent organizational, time-management and communication skills.
- General Ledger Accounts, 4%
Prepared reconciliation of inter-company general ledger accounts as well as the transfer of inter-company funds.
Most charge bookkeepers use their skills in "reconciliations," "payroll tax returns," and "balance sheet" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential charge bookkeeper responsibilities here:
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform charge bookkeeper duties is math skills. Charge bookkeepers responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." Charge bookkeepers also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "compiled financial reports including statistics for cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivables. "
Computer skills. charge bookkeepers are also known for computer skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to charge bookkeeper responsibilities, because "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." A charge bookkeeper resume example shows how computer skills is used in the workplace: "balanced manual general ledger trial balances to a computerized general ledger journal. "
Detail oriented. charge bookkeeper responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records." This resume example shows what charge bookkeepers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "performed detail closings of all monthly and yearly accounts up to trial balance. "
Integrity. Another common skill required for charge bookkeeper responsibilities is "integrity." This skill comes up in the duties of charge bookkeepers all the time, as "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." An excerpt from a real charge bookkeeper resume shows how this skill is central to what a charge bookkeeper does: "designed financial reports that allowed trustees to be updated at all times in real time. "
The three companies that hire the most charge bookkeepers are:
- Robert Half150 charge bookkeepers jobs
- Northpoint10 charge bookkeepers jobs
- AppleOne Employment Services5 charge bookkeepers jobs
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Compare different charge bookkeepers
Charge bookkeeper vs. Accounting assistant
An accounting assistant is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the business' accounting department, from reviewing financial transactions to the submission of financial reports. Accounting assistants' duties include performing data entry and clerical tasks, maintaining a safe record of account statements, updating and analyzing transactions, verifying the accuracy of financial records, and managing customers and vendors' inquiries as immediate as possible. An accounting assistant must have a broad knowledge of the accounting principles and processes, as well as excellent communication and time-management skills, especially on meeting strict deadlines and doing complex tasks as needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between charge bookkeepers and accounting assistant. For instance, charge bookkeeper responsibilities require skills such as "payroll tax returns," "excellent organizational," "trial balance," and "journal entries." Whereas a accounting assistant is skilled in "data entry," "purchase orders," "credit card payments," and "quickbooks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Accounting assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $41,823. On the other hand, charge bookkeepers are paid more in the construction industry with an average salary of $51,567.On average, accounting assistants reach similar levels of education than charge bookkeepers. Accounting assistants are 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Charge bookkeeper vs. Accounting administrator
An accounting administrator is responsible for reviewing and analyzing account statements, managing deposits, and resolving bank discrepancies and financial disputes. Accounting administrators handle the efficient and accurate cash flow within an organization, including payroll release and filing of petty cash. They maintain an organized record of payments and billing statements for reference and audit purposes to generate reports for the management. An accounting administrator must have extensive knowledge of the accounting principles, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills to perform duties effectively, even under minimal supervision.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, charge bookkeeper responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "payroll tax returns," "excellent organizational," "trial balance," and "cash flow." Meanwhile, an accounting administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "data entry," "purchase orders," "credit card payments," and "office equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Accounting administrators earn a higher average salary than charge bookkeepers. But accounting administrators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $49,796. Additionally, charge bookkeepers earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $51,567 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Accounting administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than charge bookkeepers. In fact, they're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Charge bookkeeper vs. Accounting technician
An 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. Accounting technicians should always adhere to taxation legislation, comply with accounting disciplines, and coordinate with the account management for any findings and concerns, requiring them to have excellent communication and analytical skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a charge bookkeeper is likely to be skilled in "payroll tax returns," "balance sheet," "excellent organizational," and "trial balance," while a typical accounting technician is skilled in "payroll," "purchase orders," "data entry," and "travel vouchers."
Accounting technicians earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $39,070. Comparatively, charge bookkeepers have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $51,567.accounting technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to charge bookkeepers. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Charge bookkeeper vs. Accounting associate
An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.
Types of charge bookkeeper
Updated January 8, 2025
