The term “full charge bookkeeper” can be a little confusing. Is it someone who has a full charge in the accounting department? Or is it someone responsible for all of the books?
In fact, many people confuse full charge bookkeepers and regular accountants. This can prove quite problematic, especially if you are a business owner.
The answer to the question above is neither, but you’re getting close! A full charge bookkeeper does both and more. That’s what this article is about, you will learn everything you need to know.
If you want to know more about what this means or if you need help finding your next job, keep reading below.
Contents
What Is a Full Charge Bookkeeper?
A full charge bookkeeper is responsible for all aspects of the books for a business. This includes recording transactions, reconciling accounts, preparing financial statements, and more.
In some cases, they may also be in charge of payroll or other accounting duties. As you can see, this is a vital role in any company.
Furthermore, a full charge bookkeeper is hired at a company with no accounting department. This means that they are responsible for completing all tasks required to keep the books in good order, such as payroll and taxes.
If you’re running a small business, likely, you don’t have the time or resources to do everything yourself. That’s where a full charge bookkeeper comes in. They can take on all of the accounting responsibilities for your company so you can focus on what you’re good at – running your business!
Not only will this save you time and money, but it can also help you avoid mistakes that could cost you later on.
The Main Responsibilities of a Full Charge Bookkeeper
A full charge bookkeeper is responsible for keeping the books in order by recording transactions and performing reconciliations.
You’ll also be expected to prepare financial statements, such as profit and loss reports or balance sheets. In addition, you may have to do things like create budgets or handle payroll tasks on your own if that’s part of your job description.
Some of the other responsibilities are, but are not limited to:
- Make sure financial statements are prepared and sent out promptly
- Reconcile all bank accounts each month
- Prepare payroll taxes and deductions
- Record payments, receipts, or other transactions as needed on behalf of the business owner/manager by checking against invoices, tickets
- Maintain records of these activities for future reference.
Some businesses may refer to this role as bookkeeper or accounting clerk. For example: “We need you to do some data entry work.”
This is different from an Accounts Payable Clerk, who pays bills but does not have any knowledge or training in accounting methods, nor can they record cash transactions accordingly (but still would be responsible for entering data into the computer to pay bills).
In a full charge bookkeeper role, you will be responsible for reconciling all of your accounts and ensuring tallies. This includes cash flow, fixed assets, and inventory levels/values, depending on what is covered by these areas in your job description.
You should also ensure that any discrepancies are investigated if any unexpected figures appear. This could highlight potential money laundering activities operating under the same category.
How Does a Full Charge Bookkeeper Differ From An Accountant?
The main difference between a full charge bookkeeper and an accountant is that accountants are typically responsible for auditing financial statements, preparing tax returns, and advising financial matters. They may also be in charge of certain aspects of accounting like payroll, but this isn’t always the case.
On the other hand, full charge bookkeepers are responsible for all the books. This includes recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial statements. As you can see, this role is more comprehensive than an accountant’s role.
Not to mention, a full charge bookkeeper is responsible for all aspects of the accounting duties and can make decisions on their own. An accountant typically reports to someone else within a business, such as the CEO or CFO.
Another big difference between a full-charge bookkeeper and an accountant is that they may work in different departments depending on how large your company is.
For example, A corporation with more than one location will likely have its books kept at each branch separately by bookkeepers. However, if you are part of a smaller organization, you may be working directly alongside accountants who report to someone else.
How to Become a Full Charge Bookkeeper
If you’re interested in becoming a full charge bookkeeper, there are a few things you need to know.
First of all, this is not an entry-level position. You’ll need some experience and knowledge in accounting before you can succeed in this role. Secondly, certification is essential. Several organizations offer accreditation for bookkeepers, so be sure to do your research and find one that’s right for you.
Finally, keep in mind that the job market for full charge bookkeepers is competitive. This means that you’ll need to have solid skills and stand out from the crowd if you want to succeed.
The best way to do this is to take continuing education courses and specialize in a certain area of accounting. This will show employers that you’re serious about your career and have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Take the time to develop a strong resume and portfolio, and don’t be afraid to network with others in the industry. With the right skills and determination, you can become a successful full charge bookkeeper!
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping career to the next level, then a full charge bookkeeper is the perfect role for you! With the right experience and certification, you can significantly impact any business. Are you up for the challenge?
How to Find a Full Charge Bookkeeping Job?
If you’re looking for a complete charge bookkeeping job, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. First of all, be sure to network with others in the industry. This is a great way to meet potential employers and learn more about the job market.
Secondly, keep your resume and portfolio up-to-date. This will show potential employers that you’re serious about your career and have the skills they’re looking for.
Also, you should check job sites like Indeed and SimplyHired for accounting jobs near you. These types of services will send alerts to your inbox anytime a new position comes up that matches what you’re looking for! You’ll never have to worry about missing out on an opportunity again.
Finally, stay informed about current trends in bookkeeping. This will help you stand out from the competition and prove that you’re knowledgeable and capable of doing the job. Isn’t that quite important for getting hired?
The bottom line is that if you want to become a successful full charge bookkeeper, you need to be willing to put in the time. This is effectively the most important aspect of becoming anything. Time and effort applied to any skillset will begin to flourish into a self-sustainable ability.
Do I Need an Education?
It depends on where you want to work and what your goal is. Some small businesses have their accounting department or hire someone part-time just for payroll functions, so if that’s your only goal, it may be possible without getting a degree. However, education becomes essential when working as a full-charge bookkeeper at larger banks and financial service firms.
Being CPA certified will likely help land you one of these positions since companies already know from experience how difficult it can be to find suitable candidates who are willing to take on additional bookkeeping and accounting duties.
So if you’re looking to work at one of these types of places, a degree will be necessary. A bachelor’s in accounting is always a good start, but if that’s not an option for you, there are plenty of other programs that can help you land the job you want – such as courses in bookkeeping and QuickBooks.
A full-charge bookkeeper is responsible for all aspects of the company’s finances.
This may include maintaining books, preparing financial statements, overseeing accounts receivable and payable. There’s also being in charge of payroll or other accounting duties. As you can see, this is a vital role in any company!
Furthermore, this is a role that many businesses are looking to fill, so if you’re ready for a challenge and want to impact your career, this may be the right job for you.
Before You Start Your Career as a Full Charge Bookkeeper
As with any profession, there will be some competition when it comes time to find work in bookkeeping.
With less than one percent of Americans currently working as accountants or auditors, according to BLS projections from 2011-2020, these positions will always be competitive but certainly not impossible! You must have all of the tools necessary before finding full charge bookkeeper jobs.
An excellent place to start would be getting educated about what exactly does fall under accounting and taking steps to become certified. There are many different types of accountants.
Some specialize in tax preparations. Others may work with businesses to help them maintain their financial records. With the proper education and certification, you’ll be on your way to finding a job in this field!
Common Mistakes Made In Full Charge Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is a critical task for any business, big or small. Unfortunately, due to the enormity of this responsibility, some full-charge bookkeepers may often make mistakes. Here are three of the most common ones:
- Not keeping track of expenses and income
- Not reconciling accounts regularly
- Failing to comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
All businesses should have procedures to help prevent these mistakes from happening. Suppose you’re currently working as a full-charge bookkeeper or are aspiring to be one.
In that case, you must familiarize yourself with these principles and put protocols in place to help you stay organized and accountable. By doing so, you’ll help ensure the financial stability of your company!
Furthermore, if you’re currently working as a full-charge bookkeeper, there may be some aspects of your job that aren’t quite up to par.
Important Skills to Have
If this is the case, you must keep in mind what any other part-time or full-time bookkeepers out there are looking for when they fill these positions. Here are three things all good accounting professionals look for:
Proficiency with Excel and QuickBooks
You should be familiar with using both programs if not proficient! This will help make sure certain can get done quickly and efficiently.
Timely work
Unless otherwise specified by management, always try to provide reports right away so those who need them have access ASAP. This is especially true if something requires immediate attention.
Accuracy
Even the slightest mistake could have a significant impact on your company’s financials. For this reason, you must always be accurate and thorough when entering data into reports or working with accounts of any type.
Bookkeeping Done Right
As you can see, a lot goes into the role of bookkeeper. With this in mind, it’s essential to maintain your books properly! By doing so, you’ll ensure profitable growth for any company and prevent financial setbacks before they happen.
If you’re interested in learning more about full-charge bookkeepers or want to explore other accounting and auditing careers, be sure to check out the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
This is an excellent resource for becoming certified as a full charge bookkeeper. They offer many different courses that will help you achieve this designation.
Learn More
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How to find an Accountant for Small Business?
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