Accounting Careers: Options, Job Titles, and Descriptions

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 5% decline in bookkeeping occupations from 2023 and 2033. The BLS also reports a median annual wage of $47,400 for bookkeepers, which is less than the average for all occupations. Bookkeeping offers a good starting place in the accounting field, with minimal education and experience requirements.

• For the CB credential, a candidate must have at least two years of full-time experience in bookkeeping or 3,000 hours of part-time or freelance work.
• In most cases, bookkeepers work full-time during regular business hours, although part-time and flexible schedules are also common.
• The BLS projects that jobs in this field will grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029.
• An Accounts Receivable ensures that confidentiality is maintained when collecting payments from clients.

Accounting Manager

• An Accounting Coordinator also manages the contract filing systems and creates monthly financial statements.
• An auditor’s duties are similar to an accountant’s duties described above.
• After much deliberation and a large salary cut, I moved to a startup and fell in love!
• They might work for the government, a large company, or a small business.
• Certain aspects of bookkeeping may be difficult for some, requiring familiarity with the record-entry process and accounting software.
• Every job and person is different, but it usually takes about six months of on-the-job training to really get a grasp on the bookkeeping role.

At the Director level, most Accounting departments use the title Controller (for-profit), Comptroller (non-profit and governments) or Director of Accounting/Finance. Learn https://www.bookstime.com/ about the role of Bookkeeper, what they do on a daily basis, and what it’s like to be one. You can also look through the following resources for bookkeeping-related job postings. Below, we highlight the two most common pathways to becoming a bookkeeper. Take our free career test to find out if bookkeeper is one of your top career matches.

Accounting Assistant

• Bookkeepers working in this sector should understand relevant regulations and lease agreements.
• Some accountants pursue a master’s in business administration (MBA) after completing a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field.
• A Cost Accountant is tasked with examining, recording, and summarizing a company’s costs, including products and services.
• At public accounting firms, staff accountant may be an entry-level position.
• You can teach yourself bookkeeping, making use of the many self-learning resources available online.
• However, auditors typically work for an accounting or payroll service rather than working for one particular company.

If you have a degree in accounting or a related discipline, you will probably pick it up quicker than if you don’t. Many accounting programs feature internships and practicums that help you build experience as you learn. While a bookkeeper’s duties may overlap with that of an accountant, bookkeepers do not need a college degree. However employers may prefer some college courses in accounting and finance or a bookkeeping certificate.

Bookkeeper Job Titles

Responsibilities for bookkeepers can vary widely from business to business, though there are a number of very common bookkeeping responsibilities. Remember that you want to tailor the role’s responsibilities in the job description so that it’s not just aligned with the position but with your company. Large corporations aren’t the only types of businesses that need accountants. Arts organizations, for example, also employ accountants to help maintain their finances. If you want to be creative in your accounting career, consider working with a business in a creative industry you’re passionate about.

VP Level Job Titles

Bookkeepers may also assist in running payroll and generating invoices for your company. They typically work for a company, managing that company’s finances, or they own and bookkeeper title operate their own independent practice. They might perform a variety of tasks, including managing a company’s payroll, taxes, and various other payments.

The bookkeeper may also work with an outside CPA, who advises on the proper accounting procedures, and who may review the bookkeeper’s financial statements. The certified bookkeeper contra asset account exam can be challenging without bookkeeping experience or education. AIPB suggests that candidates have at least some college-level bookkeeping education or professional experience before sitting for the exam. Earning a CB or CPB credential may help advance a bookkeeper’s career or salary, as both are reputable industry certifications.

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Certified public accountants (CPAs) must obtain the necessary licensing, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Exam and completing any additional requirements in your state. After much deliberation and a large salary cut, I moved to a startup and fell in love! It made me think, “Hmm, maybe there are other companies out there that need my help.” This eventually led to the start of my business.