1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Bookkeeper

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

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:

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

Accounts Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: Ellifoot Lane, Burstwick, Hull

Accounts Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,648 a year Annually
  • Location: BRIGG, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

AAT Bookkeeping Level 3

  • Provider: THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Oldham

Bookkeeping Level 3 Certificate

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Ilford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.