Bookkeeping Jobs in the United States

Bookkeeping Jobs Overview

Every successful business and organization must maintain a budget. Skilled bookkeepers play a vital role in keeping track of budgets and maintaining records of each business transaction. Companies rely on bookkeepers so they can meet revenue goals and cut costs where needed. There are tons of bookkeeping jobs available to job seekers who have exceptional math skills, data-entry skills, and a willingness to learn.

As a bookkeeper, you'll be responsible for ensuring the proper storage of financial data and documents. This includes payments from customers, company expenses, revenue, and payroll. You'll use bookkeeping software, spreadsheets, and databases to enter and retrieve records.

Additionally, you'll analyze data to create financial statements and reports. You may work for a financial institution, insurance company, corporation, government office, or private enterprise.

The primary skills and qualities employers look for in bookkeepers include:

• Good math and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Computer skills and the ability to use bookkeeping software and spreadsheets.
• Integrity when managing financial data, documentation, and records.

See Monster's bookkeeper job description sample to get a better idea of what employers are looking for.

Salaries for Bookkeeping Jobs

Bookkeepers in the U.S. earn a median yearly salary of $42,193. Pay often varies by location and experience level. For example, bookkeepers make a median of $48,746 in New York City and $40,249 in Miami, FL.

Additionally, the lowest-earning bookkeepers make a median of $34,426, while the top earners make $50,969. Find out for yourself by entering your job title and location into Monster ‘s Salary Calculator. Here, you ‘ll also find a list of locations with high-demand, salaries for related jobs, and potential next steps in your career.

How to Find the Best Bookkeeping Jobs For You

To kickstart your journey and find the perfect bookkeeping job, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to work for a large corporation or a small business?
• What type of industry interests you?
• What level of responsibility are you seeking?
• Which accounting software are you familiar with?
• Are you open to remote or flexible work arrangements?

Think About Your Long-Term Goals

What are your long-term aspirations in the bookkeeping field? Are you looking to gain a broad range of experiences in a corporate environment, or would you prefer to specialize in a specific industry or niche?

Understanding your career goals will help you identify opportunities that offer the growth, challenges, and learning experiences you desire. For example, if you aim to work in the nonprofit sector, you may seek bookkeeping jobs within charitable organizations where you can contribute your financial expertise while supporting a cause you are passionate about.

Pay Attention to the Job Description

The job description serves as your roadmap, outlining the key responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements of bookkeeping jobs. Read and analyze it to understand if the role matches your skills, experiences, and preferences. If the role fits you and you decide to apply for it, use the job description to tailor your application materials and interview responses.

Research Potential Employers

In addition to the job description, researching the employer provides valuable insights into their company culture. It helps you determine if their values and working environment align with your career aspirations and means you can customize your application even more. For example, if you discover that the employer values transparency and teamwork, emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with other departments and to work in a detail-oriented manner to ensure accurate records.

How to Apply to Bookkeeping Jobs

From crafting a stellar resume and an attention-grabbing cover letter, to navigating the application process, the following tips and examples will help you land your dream bookkeeping position.

Create a Curated Resume

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a great impression on potential employers. When applying for a bookkeeping job, make sure you show employers a full account of your skills and credentials, such as:

• Your proficiency in bookkeeping software.
• Your knowledge of financial statements, reconciliations, and payroll processes.
• Your experience in managing accounts, generating financial reports, or overseeing budgeting processes.
• Your achievements, including numbers and metrics, such as reducing errors by a certain percentage to save time or money.
• Your relevant certifications, such as Certified Bookkeeper (CB) or Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB).

Monster's bookkeeper resume sample provides a solid example of how to write and format a resume that gets results. For extra help, reach out to Monster ‘s expert resume writing services.

Add a Cover Letter

You should also briefly introduce your skills, experience, and passion for bookkeeping with a well-written cover letter. Consider these tips:

• Address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name and mention the specific position and company when explaining why you ‘re interested in working for them.
• Focus on the key qualifications mentioned in the job description and explain how your skills align with the requirements.
• Share one or two of your accomplishments to demonstrate your value and expertise.
• Ensure your cover letter is error-free and showcases your strong written communication skills.
• Check out Monster ‘s bookkeeper cover letter sample for more tips on how to format your cover letter and use bullet points to highlight your skills.

Send Your Application

Now that you ‘ve optimized your documents, it's time to apply for your ideal bookkeeping position.

• First, set up your profile for free on Monster and upload up to five versions of your resume to help recruiters find you to send job proposals.
• Set up job alerts for bookkeeping jobs near you to receive notifications about new positions, stay ahead, and apply promptly.
• Scroll our job board and apply directly via Monster for any bookkeeping job that fits you. Remember to take the time to tailor your application materials.

How to Follow Up With an Employer

Timing is important when it comes to following up after sending your application for bookkeeping jobs. It ‘s best to give the employer enough time to review and shortlist candidates - one to two weeks is usually advised, but if a deadline is specified in the job posting, respect that.

The best person to follow up with is the company‘s hiring manager and the most effective methods to follow up are email or a phone call. No matter which method you choose, be professional, concise, and prepare what you want to say, including:

• Introducing yourself and stating the specific position you applied for.
• Sharing your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
• Inquiring about the status of the application process and if there is any additional material you can send to help them make a decision.

Interviewing Tips for a Bookkeeping Job

When interviewing you, employers want to find out if you can be trusted to keep track of data, records, and accounts. They also want to know that you can meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

• Prepare specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Think about situations in your previous bookkeeping roles where you faced challenges or achieved notable accomplishments.
• Research the company to tailor your responses and show genuine interest in the organization.

Common Questions for a Bookkeeping Job Interview

Prepare yourself ahead of time by reading Monster's list of commonly asked bookkeeper interview questions. You may encounter such questions as:

• What previous experience do you have as a bookkeeper?
• Have you ever been responsible for managing payroll?
• Have you ever been involved in an audit process? If so, describe your role and the outcome.
• What do you consider your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your bookkeeping work?

After the Interview

Following up after your bookkeeping job interview is another important step in the process. Send a personalized thank-you note within 24 to 48 hours of your interview and mention specific aspects that resonated with you. If after a week you haven ‘t received updates, send another email to inquire about the timeline for the hiring decision and when you can expect to hear back.

What to Do When You Get an Offer for a Bookkeeping Job

Throughout the offer process it‘s important to maintain open and honest communication. By responding in a timely manner, addressing any questions or concerns, negotiating when appropriate, and making an informed decision, you ‘ll set yourself up for a successful transition into your new bookkeeping job.

Carefully examine the offer letter, employment contract, and any accompanying documents. Take note of the salary, benefits, working hours, and other terms and conditions, and seek clarification on any unclear aspects. Assess the salary and benefits package in relation to your experience, qualifications, and industry standards for bookkeeping jobs near you to ensure the offer is competitive.

Bookkeeper Job Career Paths

Many employers require at least an associate degree in bookkeeping or a related field but you can boost your employability by getting certified. The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers offers the Certified Bookkeeper designation that can help you progress in your career.

These are some common steps on the career path for bookkeepers:

• Payroll administrator: Responsible for managing and processing employee payroll, including calculating wages and deductions and ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Financial accountant: Responsible for analyzing financial data, preparing financial statements, and providing insights and recommendations to support decision-making and ensure compliance with accounting principles and regulations.
• Internal auditor: Conducts independent assessments of an organization ‘s financial controls, processes, and procedures to identify potential risks, ensure compliance, and recommend improvement to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Bookkeeping Jobs: Similar Occupations

If you want to increase your search results, you can look for other administrative jobs by clicking on these similar positions:

• clerical
• data entry
• office