Bookkeepers keep a business's financial records accurate and up to date. You record transactions, pay bills, send invoices, reconcile bank accounts, run payroll, and prepare reports for owners and accountants. Bookkeepers work in small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits, and larger companies, and many freelance for several clients at once.
What employers look for
Accuracy and trust come first, since bookkeepers handle money and private financial information. Employers also look for experience with specific accounting software, especially QuickBooks, and for knowledge of the tasks they need most, like reconciliations, payroll, or sales tax. A degree isn't always required. Solid experience and software skills often matter more.
Resume summary
Detail-oriented bookkeeper with experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, and monthly reconciliations. Comfortable in QuickBooks and known for catching the small errors. Looking to bring strong accuracy and quiet competence to a new role.
Skills to list
- QuickBooks Online and Desktop
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Bank and credit card reconciliations
- Payroll processing and tax filings
- Monthly financial close
- Excel (formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP)
- 1099 and W-2 preparation
- Sales tax filings
- Discretion with financial information
- Strong attention to detail
Experience bullet points
- Processed accounts payable by entering invoices, getting approvals, and cutting checks or ACH payments
- Managed accounts receivable by sending invoices, tracking aging, and following up on collections
- Reconciled bank, credit card, and loan accounts each month and resolved discrepancies
- Processed payroll on a regular schedule and filed payroll tax deposits on time
- Prepared month-end close including journal entries, accruals, and basic financial reports
- Built and maintained Excel reports with formulas, pivot tables, and VLOOKUPs
- Prepared 1099s and W-2s at year-end and filed sales tax returns as required
- Tracked owner draws, distributions, and intercompany transactions accurately
- Worked with the CPA at year-end to provide clean books and supporting schedules
- Maintained discretion with payroll, vendor, and client financial information
Show accuracy and timeliness
Bookkeeper, Family-Owned Construction Company, Pelham, AL. 2020 to Present. Manage full-cycle bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online for a $6 million business; process biweekly payroll for 40 employees; reconcile 5 bank and credit card accounts monthly; close the books by the 10th of each month; accountant reported no adjustments needed at year-end.
Certifications that help
Certifications are optional but can set you apart. QuickBooks certification from Intuit shows software skill, and professional bookkeeping certifications show broader knowledge. If you've taken accounting classes at a community college, list them too.
Tips for this job
- Name the size of the books. Company revenue, number of accounts, employees on payroll, or clients served show your level.
- List software specifically. QuickBooks Online or Desktop, Xero, payroll services, and Excel skills all matter.
- Mention your close timing. Closing the books on time every month is one of the clearest signs of a strong bookkeeper.
- Freelancing counts. If you keep books for several clients, see our freelancer example for how to list it.
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