Learning what is bookkeeping can be pointless without knowing how to start a bookkeeping career. Though it is not necessary to complete a college degree, some employers prefer candidates who have done some college course or have some kind of credential to prove their bookkeeping skills.
You can get into this job through:
- A college course
- An apprenticeship
- Working towards this role
- Applying directly
Hence, there are necessary steps you can take to become a successful bookkeeper. Let us start from the beginning.
1. Pursue a High School Degree
In order to become a bookkeeper, it is essential to have a high school degree, diploma or GED. It is the most basic need for this job. This is because, by having a high school degree, you will have basic mathematics, writing, and communication skills. These skills are essential for bookkeepers. However, other essential skills that come from high school are time management, organisation, and teamwork.
Moreover, during high school years, you can take major subjects related to accounting and finance. Additionally, along with required coursework, take electives where possible. For example, take any kind of classes related to accounting, personal finance and business management.
You can also earn a level 2 college courses certificate in Bookkeeping, accounting, Manual and Computerised Bookkeeping. In the UK, you may need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course.
2. Train Yourself
If you are already a high school graduate and looking for job opportunities, you can easily choose a bookkeeping job. As a matter of fact, you can self-train yourself at any stage from various sources. Most of the time, many bookkeepers start training themselves by taking a Professional bookkeeping course. Or you can train yourself by taking specific skills and software courses. With the help of online courses, you can teach yourself the art of bookkeeping, and the certificate will also help you get a job.
Often self-taught bookkeepers learn the skills without any direct professional training. But once you get a bookkeeping job, you will have lots of growth opportunities. Moreover, many companies take in candidates with basic bookkeeping skills and train them over time with all kinds of necessary bookkeeping responsibilities. A lot of companies train their entry-level bookkeeper within 6 months or more. Then, they provide plans, courses and personal development plans for their employee’s growth.
The time needed for self-taught bookkeepers to achieve the required skills varies depending on their dedication, chosen method, and personal schedule. However, many aspiring bookkeepers do an internship with a reliable company and achieve training. This can be very beneficial because the company hires you as a permanent bookkeeper if you do good. You can find internships through your school, personal network or searching online.
3. Apply for Bookkeeping Positions
You can apply for a bookkeeping position in a variety of ways. Many aspiring bookkeepers do an internship with a reliable company and achieve training.
If you want to go for a paid job, there are also plenty of options for you. But the first thing you need to do is make a well-written resume. You have to highlight all your bookkeeping related qualities in the resume and also make it well-structured.
If you have any earlier experience, you need to highlight them along with your educational background. Knowledge and experience in accounting software, understanding of financial statements, personal as well as business, and your willingness to learn and grow are excellent skills to include in your resume. If you do not have enough technical skills related to the role, you can highlight your interpersonal skills such as multitasking and time management in your resume.
Make sure you design your resume in a way that represents the position you are applying for. Go through the job description, add any relevant keywords to your resume to get noticed.
4. Become Freelance Bookkeeper
On the other hand, if you want to become a freelance bookkeeper, there are immense amounts of opportunities worldwide. Therefore, your next step will be to establish your own bookkeeping service. The company or clients you want to sell your services to will look for reliable freelance bookkeepers with practical experience. As a result, you might have to do a traditional on-site bookkeeping job for at least two years.
Furthermore, you must show some experience, skills and knowledge for starting freelance bookkeeping. You can go search for a freelance bookkeeping job locally, remotely, and also virtually. You have to also make sure that you have a unique, authentic, and catchy profile that will gain clients’ attention. This profile will also give details about your capabilities as a bookkeeper.
Furthermore, you can have your official website or social media account to represent yourself as a bookkeeper and advertise yourself online. One more essential thing is making yourself an industry-specific bookkeeper. Therefore, if you have particular experience in bookkeeping for schools, businesses, charities or government organisations, make it clear on the website or in a professional profile. Rather than targeting everything at once, specify an industry you would prefer to work with.
5. Consider Certification and Further Education
You can never stop learning; it is also true for a bookkeeping career. Whether you are an on-site professional bookkeeper or freelancer bookkeeper, you can consider taking a certification. Most importantly, you have to focus on your personal and educational growth to be successful in your bookkeeping career. Moreover, acquiring a bookkeeping certification will help you become and look more professional and authentic.
You can be a licenced bookkeeper through ICB, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers as well. Firstly, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the world’s largest bookkeeping organisation. Secondly, it develops and sustains the professional standards of bookkeeping by establishing applicable qualifications and awarding membership grades that recognise academic achievement, employment experience, and competence.
Another key point is you must abide by bookkeeping laws. A money-laundering licence is a legal requirement for bookkeepers in the UK. Therefore, all bookkeepers must have this licence. This is because, according to the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, if you are a bookkeeper who runs your own business and provides a service to clients, you must have a supervisory body (MLR). Through the Practice Licence scheme, ICB members are monitored.