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Bookkeeper skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.,

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical bookkeeper skills. We ranked the top skills for bookkeepers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of bookkeeper resumes contained payroll tax returns as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a bookkeeper needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 bookkeeper skills for your resume and career

1. Payroll Tax Returns

Here's how bookkeepers use payroll tax returns:

Posted daily activity, oversaw budgets and reconciled bank accounts Produced monthly financial statements and processed quarterly sales and payroll tax returns
Prepare and verify payroll tax information for withholding deposit and preparation of quarterly payroll tax returns.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how bookkeepers use customer service:

Recognized for providing excellent customer service while maintaining the confidentiality of assets and security of information.
Provided superior customer service while answering phones, scheduling client consultations and managing office operations.

3. Reconciliations

Here's how bookkeepers use reconciliations:

Organized and maintained accounting functions including accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliations, general ledger accounts, cash deposits, and payroll administration
Maintained accurate Accounts Receivable/Payable records * Responsible for daily reconciliations and deposits * Assisted with Payroll processing Target, Florida

4. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how bookkeepers use data entry:

Managed company-wide accounting and reporting functions for eleven subsidiaries including typing data entry into computer, assembled updated material.
Ensured accurate data entry of parishioner giving, deposit offertory, and sent end-of-year giving statements to parishioners.

5. Journal Entries

Journal entries can be defined as an act of keeping or making records of any transactions either economic or non-economic. The journal entries are made in the accounting systems of an organization. The entries are filled with two main fields; debit and credit. The debit and credit must be equal at the end of a journal entry else it is not considered correct. The journal entries also keep the date of transactions and the names of the accounts that were affected by the transactions.

Here's how bookkeepers use journal entries:

Generated and input adjusting journal entries to provide accurate financial statements.
Recorded journal entries and established budgets for departments and administrators.

6. Financial Transactions

The type of agreement held between two parties (buyer and seller) regarding an exchange of funds for an asset, is termed as a financial transaction. The financial transaction is the exchange of products, services, cash or credit, information, and other things of value among two separate entities for a common goal.

Here's how bookkeepers use financial transactions:

Key Responsibilities o Financial Transaction Specialist o Cash Register Collections/Safe Deposits o Send/Receive funds through Western Union o Bill Payments
Recorded daily financial transactions, balanced accounts and reconciled errors consistently using financial processes necessary to carry out objectives.

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7. General Ledger Accounts

A general ledger account is a practice to keep a record of a company's total financial accounts. The accounts included in a general ledger lists the assets, liabilities, owners' equity, expenses, and income or revenue. It forms the basis of reporting a business's financial statements.

Here's how bookkeepers use general ledger accounts:

Prepared bank deposits and reconciled bank statements Journal Voucher data entry, balanced general ledger accounts Customer service provided for account reconciliation
Processed monthly financial close, including reconciliation of various general ledger accounts, payroll and non-payroll related.

Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

Payroll Tax Returns

Customer Service

Reconciliations

Data Entry

Journal Entries

Financial Transactions

8. Bank Deposits

Any money that a customer chooses to leave with their bank account is a deposit. Deposits can vary in amounts and different banks have limits on the deposits their customers can have as a minimum. Banks charge customers for deposits especially when a teller is used by the customer to deposit money into their account.

Here's how bookkeepers use bank deposits:

Managed Accounts Payable/Receivable and expense-control procedures, including account reconciliation, disbursements, and preparation of bank deposits.
Prepared daily bank deposits and submitted financial reports to corporate management.

9. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how bookkeepers use hr:

Functioned as HR representative by facilitating interviews for department heads and leading new hire orientations.
Provide HR assistance including coordinating interviews and other administrative tasks.

10. Purchase Orders

Here's how bookkeepers use purchase orders:

Reconciled purchase orders with receipts and expenses Generated reports and attended bi-weekly accountant meetings at Duke University
Generated Purchase Orders for CEO approval based on prior approvals of Purchase Requisitions by Site Managers/Supervisors.

11. Credit Card Accounts

Here's how bookkeepers use credit card accounts:

Managed the executive team credit card account reconciliation.
Reconciled credit card account statements.

12. Sales Tax

Here's how bookkeepers use sales tax:

Maintained sales tax records, and support documentation for accountability.
Bank reconciliation Account receivable Payroll Quarterly payroll taxes Monthly sales tax

13. Bank Accounts

Here's how bookkeepers use bank accounts:

Answered telephone; scheduled appointments; filed paperwork; posted customer information to accounting software; reconciled bank accounts; organized/cleaned office
Performed reconciliation of general and subsidiary bank accounts by gathering and balancing information monthly.

14. Accounts Payables

Here's how bookkeepers use accounts payables:

Manage accounts payables and receivables ensuring guidelines are maintained per company policy and procedures.
Managed all aspects of bookkeeping including, accounts payables/receivables.

15. Financial Reports

Here's how bookkeepers use financial reports:

Prepared and disseminated all required financial reports in compliance with Federal, State and Local financial reporting regulations.
Collected, analyzed and summarized account information and trends to prepare financial reports for stakeholders.

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What skills help Bookkeepers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Bookkeeper resumes?

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Co-director of the Student Managed Investment Fund, Bucknell University

The obvious trends are going to become more pronounced: coding and technology-related skills. I think we are going to see an elevation in the coding expectations. In the future, I expect employers to begin providing coding assessments to potential candidates. This is a common feature of engineering and finance jobs, and I think we will see it with respect to claims about coding prowess.

Data skills will also continue to become more prevalent across all business disciplines. Employers are looking for experience with large data sets, data visualization software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Alteryx, etc.) and statistical analysis. Data has become a major currency, and employees' ability to utilize data for decision making will be critical to success in the employment marketplace.

Beyond the obvious, I think the pandemic has also shifted focus to skills surrounding resilience and motivation. I've heard employers during the pandemic express surprise at the disparity of responses to the pandemic: some employees made the pivot to remote work seamlessly, others required significantly more support. Skills that demonstrate resilience, such as group work, honors programs, etc. will become more important.
I would encourage job seekers to highlight skills learned during the pandemic. I would anticipate a regular interview question inquiring about how the job seeker used their extra time during the pandemic. The most common answers will likely include lots of Queen's Gambit and Tiger King, but employers will look for answers surrounding the development of new skills or acquired certifications. Imagine the employer's thoughts when you suggest that you used the extra time to pursue a lifelong dream such as learning to play the piano or guitar. If you missed the early pandemic window of opportunity, take advantage now!

This line of questions may precede a dangerous trend for employers to look for indications of mental strength. I find this possibility disheartening as we could see employers screening employees with mental health challenges at a time when the solidarity of a job could provide much needed structure.

What soft skills should all Bookkeepers possess?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay Advisor, Austin Peay State University

From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Bookkeepers?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

In addition to general accounting knowledge, critical thinking, data analytics, and advanced Microsoft Excel abilities are some of the most important skills. Clearly, having a solid foundation in general accounting knowledge is necessary to be a candidate for a job in the accounting field. However, possessing the ability to critically think and analyze data and use Microsoft Excel beyond the basics, such as pivot tables, will only improve a candidate's chances.

What Bookkeeper skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.

Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis

In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.

What type of skills will young Bookkeepers need?

Jeff Bogan

Adjunct Professor, California State University - Fullerton

The skills required for young accounting and tax graduates are evolving. Young accounting professionals must be more skilled in working with various types of technologies and applications. Young graduates should have experiences working with data integration tools, such as Microsoft getting & Transform, Alteryx, data visualization tools, cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Azure, and robotic processes automation applications such as UiPath and Blue Prism.

Over the last decade, we have seen global transparency initiatives such as OECD's BEPS initiative, complex tax law, and numerous complex accounting guidance. Also, the business has become much more complicated with global footprints and digital platforms. These changes now require accounting professionals to have the well-developed critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. Accounting professionals must now also have a "continuous learning" mindset. Technology is changing rapidly, and accounting professionals will need to adapt and learn new technologies.

What technical skills for a Bookkeeper stand out to employers?

Jodi Olson

Assistant Accounting Professor, Winona State University

Accountants serve many industries and sectors, so a broad range of technical skills is required to be ready to meet the needs of employers. Graduates must be technically competent in areas such as accounting information systems, tax preparation, auditing, managerial/cost accounting, financial reporting, and financial statement analysis. Also, graduates are expected to have general business acumen in areas such as management information systems, business law, operations, strategic management, and ethics. All these skills are important for graduates, but the pandemic has made the accounting systems and management information systems skills operative in allowing graduates to deliver their other areas of technical expertise.

Do you want to know more?

List of bookkeeper skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a bookkeeper resume and required skills for a bookkeeper to have include:

Payroll Tax Returns
Customer Service
Reconciliations
Data Entry
Journal Entries
Financial Transactions
General Ledger Accounts
Bank Deposits
HR
Purchase Orders
Credit Card Accounts
Sales Tax
Bank Accounts
Accounts Payables
Financial Reports
Balance Sheet
CPA

Quickbooks Pro
Payroll Processing
ACH
Financial Data
Computer System
Subsidiary Accounts
Accounts Receivables
AP
Ar
Business Transactions
Tax Reports
Trial Balance
ADP
Expense Reports
Taxation
W-2
Vendor Invoices

Loss Statements
Fixed Assets
Credit Card Reconciliations
Customer Accounts
PowerPoint
IRS
Credit Card Statements
Payable Invoices
Mathematical Accuracy
Inventory Control
Payroll Checks
Bookkeeping Functions
Collection Calls
Tax Forms
Delinquent Accounts

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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