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Bookkeeper

Alternative titles for this job include Accounts clerk

Bookkeepers keep financial records up to date and help prepare accounts.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Bookkeeper

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could take a recognised accounts or bookkeeping qualification while looking for work. These are widely available. They include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
  • Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
  • Level 2 Certificate in Manual and Computerised Bookkeeping

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do an accounts and finance assistant intermediate apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 12 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant with a company, for example on a part-time or temporary contract in an accounts department. You could then take a relevant qualification to become a bookkeeper.

Volunteering

You may be able to learn useful skills from volunteering to help organise a small charity's finances.

Search for opportunities in your area through sites like:

Direct Application

If you want to apply for jobs directly, you may find some employers ask for up to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English. An A level in business studies, maths, economics or equivalent qualifications could also be useful.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about training in bookkeeping through the:

  • Association of Accounting Technicians
  • Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers
  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers

    • What it takes

    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

    What it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need:

    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
    • the ability to work well with others
    • administration skills
    • customer service skills
    • the ability to use your initiative
    • to be flexible and open to change
    • maths knowledge
    • excellent verbal communication skills
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

    What you’ll do

    Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

    What you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In your day-to-day duties you could:

    • deal with sales invoices, income, receipts and payments
    • prepare statements to show income and payments
    • complete VAT returns
    • check that accounts are accurate
    • prepare wages and manage claims for expenses
    • help to prepare annual accounts
    • use computerised accounting systems
    • handle commercially sensitive and valuable information

    Working environment

    You could work in an office.

    Career path and progression

    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

    Career path and progression

    With experience and training, you could become an accounting technician and take on more complex work.

    You could also become self-employed and set up your own business or teach in a further education college.

    Find out more about teaching in further education from Teach in further education.

    You may decide to take a degree and qualify as an accountant.

    Current opportunities

    Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

    Current opportunities

    Apprenticeships In England

    Apprentice Accountant Assistant

    • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
    • Location: London

    Apprentice Bookkeeping Assistant

    • Wage: £11,648 a year Annually
    • Location: NEW CROSS, LONDON
    Find apprenticeships near you

    Courses In England

    Certificate in Bookkeeping

    • Provider: NCG
    • Start date: 21 April 2025
    • Location: London

    AAT Bookkeeping Level 1

    • Provider: EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE
    • Start date: 16 January 2025
    • Location: London
    Find courses near you

    Jobs In the United Kingdom

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