Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper is responsible for analyzing and verifying data for accounting journal entries and invoices. They also assist in recording, reconciling, and auditing accounting data. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Bookkeepers.
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Main Responsibilities of Bookkeeper
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Bookkeeper:
Administer
Administer employee bank cards, business expenses and reimbursable costs.
Administer payroll including monthly processing, source deductions remittances and reconciliation.
Allocate
Allocate and post financial transactions to QuickBooks & Sage Accounting.
Analyze
Analyze and reconcile bank statements and general ledgers.
Analyze variances between actual results and budget.
Answer
Answer incoming calls, texts, and emails.
Answer phones and assist with office administration.
Answer phones, direct calls, manage office supplies.
Answer telephone and courteously assist clients and employees throughout the organization.
Approve
Approve department expenditures.
Assemble
Assemble cash flow projections, as needed.
Assemble monthly reconciliations, financial statements and all supporting documents.
Assist in
Assist B.A. in email / letter formatting, spelling grammar etc..
Assist Controller directly.
Assist Finance Manager in recording, reconciling, and auditing accounting data.
Assist in creating financial statements (trial balance, income statement, balance sheet).
Assist in monthly closings.
Assist in organizing and scheduling appointments.
Assist in preparing reports for management on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.
Assist in the sales tax filings and reporting for multiple locations.
Assist in tracking fixed assets and preparing depreciation schedules.
Assist in weekly, monthly, and quarterly report preparation for management.
Assist our accounting team on projects as require.
Assist team with administrative tasks.
Assist the Accounting team with various accounting projects.Assist the sales associate and management with accounts Receivable transactions.
Assist with accounts payable, including coding invoices and applying payments.
Assist with design, documentation and implementation of internal accounting process and controls.
Assist with financial year end audits.
Assist with preparation of monthly financial statements for Manager review.
Assist with pulling of information for monthly folders on occasion when problematic.
Assist with quarterly, monthly and yearly reconciliations.
Assist with reviewing of expenses, payroll records etc. as assigned.
Assist with special projects, as necessary.
Assist with year-end closing.
Assist with year-end preparation & auditors.
Attend
Attend and participate in the weekly finance team meetings.
Attend regular meetings, daily huddles, and other meetings as requested.
Balance
Balance and maintain accurate ledgers.
Balance general ledger by preparing a trial balance.
Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement by Month.
Book
Book client payroll as directed.
Calculate
Calculate and file of government remittances such as GST, payroll reductions, EHT, and WSIB.
Calculate and maintain payroll records for employees.
Calculate and prepare payments to vendors.
Calculate and prepare payroll and government remittances.
Calculate interim tenant rent changes in excel and in Yardi for all subsidies that NPI administrates.
Carry out
Carry out accounts receivable and accounts payable duties.
Change
Change approach or method to best fit the situation.
Check
Check existing entries and ensure accuracy, making updates / correction as required.
Check the validity of debit accounts.
Clarify
Clarify business license and gross receipts.
Code
Code and scan invoice to Agresso system.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with Controller to support management with accounting and administrative tasks.
Collate
Collate and analyze account data and generate financial reports.
Collect
Collect bonus incentives from manufacturers and industry partners.
Collect credit card receipts from employees and reconcile credit card statements.
Communicate
Communicate by phone and e-mail with clients accounting departments, consultants and suppliers.
Communicate easily and effectively with clients on a regular basis.
Communicate effectively with clients in writing, over the phone and in person.
Communicate with clients via email phone and screen share.
Communicate with Staff, Clients and Vendors in a respectful professional manner.
Compile
Compile day to day financial transactions and record transactions in accounting software.
Compile financial reports for office leadership.
Complete
Complete Accounts Payable.
Complete and process employee payroll on a Bi-weekly basis.
Complete and submit all Human Resources related paperwork including Status Change forms.
Complete and submit tax remittance forms, workers compensation forms and other government documents.
Complete bank and other account reconciliations.
Complete bi-monthly bank and credit card reconciliations.
Complete & submit tax remittance forms and other government documents.
Complete website updates as required.
Coordinate
Coordinate and manage office maintenance and office filing system for financial records.
Coordinate employee training including maintaining records.
Coordinate payments with monthly subsidy.
Coordinate schedules, appointments and bookings.
Coordinate the preparation of regulatory reporting with accountants.
Coordinate with accounts receivable department.
Co-Ordinate with other people / departments for information.
Coordinate with the assigned Thunder Pride accountant to complete bookkeeping activities.
Create
Create and deliver client invoices and assist with collections.
Create and manage programs & initiatives for staff retention.
Create and updates processes, procedures, checklists, and other documentation.
Create cash account journal entries including loans, taxes, bank fees, 401 (k) deductions, etc.
Create cash flow projections as requested.
Create cash flow projects and other statistical, financial and accounting related reports.
Create MS Word / Google Docs templates or spreadsheets for calculations as needed.
Create various management reports.
Develop
Develop and maintain relationships with clients and external partners.
Develop relationships with other multi-disciplinary departments in carrying out this role.
Discuss
Discuss bills and payouts with owners / managers / tenants.
Document
Document and communicate company processes.
Document clear and reliable billing activity in internal databases and reporting software(s).
Document managements, e.g. documents filing and scanning.
Download
Download and code all credit card transactions.
Download and enter revenue from 3rd party applications and / or banks.
Download bank transactions into bank accounts.
Draw up
Draw up cash flow projections, as needed.
Ensure
Ensure all documents are filed in a timely and efficient manner.
Ensure all invoices in the weekly accounting package are accurate and balanced for submission.
Ensure all petty cash transactions are in agreement with company policies.
Ensure all transactions are compliant with GAAP and company policy.
Ensure completion of tasks in a timely manner.
Ensure compliance with all applicable policies and procedures.
Ensure office space is always clean and well organized.
Ensure payment of Real Estate Taxes.
Ensure remittance of Monthly Withholding Taxes to federal and state governments.
Ensure that all invoice requisitions are properly authorized and coded.
Ensure that Amir Quality Meats's policies and procedures are followed.
Enter
Enter all Accounts Payable in Datafaction imaging and associate.
Enter and record Cash Receipts in Sage software.
Enter monthly payroll using ADP.
Escalate
Escalate opportunities for enhanced service.
Focus on
Focus on tax compliance, state business registration, contract review, and non-profit tax filing.
Follow up
Follow up on proposals (keep CRM current).
Follow up with vendors if any discrepancies.
Formulate
Formulate cash flow projections, as needed.
Gather
Gather and analyze information.
Generate
Generate cash account journal entries including loans, taxes, bank fees etc..
Generate financial reports and be responsible for financial record-keeping of all client activities.
Generate month end / year end / requested reports.
Generate, review and approve tax slips (i.e. T4s, T4a's).
Generate operational reports.
Greet
Greet clients, answer phones, call clients and direct calls.
Handle
Handle customer inquiries and complaints.
Handle other duties as assigned by Management.
Handle provider questions related to the billing.
Help
Help maintain and update the CEO's and schedule.
Identify
Identify and resolves problems timely.
Implement
Implement policies and processes to ensure that they support the organization's values.
Indicate
Indicate proposed billing rate for expanded services if the need should arise.
Input
Input financial data into accounting systems as directed.
Invoice
Invoice clients, and related record keeping.
Invoice creating and receivables management.
Issue
Issue invoices to customers and vendors.
Keep
Keep Accounts Payable up to date.
Keep management informed by reviewing and analyzing special reports.
Learn
Learn how to document and amend Corporate level.
Lease
Lease administration tasks & tenant interaction.
Liaise with
Liaise with Accountant at year-end.
Liaise with client to obtain additional information or clarification when necessary.
Liaise with the Board of Directors and Registrar as needed in the regular course of work.
Maintain
Maintain accounting controls by following policies and procedures.
Maintain accruals and prepayments and record journal entries.
Maintain accurate and organized records.
Maintain a list of vendors and process orders for products upon the approval of the Business Manager.
Maintain an average of 50 rental accounts and performs monthly billing of rent and related fees.
Maintain and balance general ledger.
Maintain and oversee all accounting procedures and processes.
Maintain and reconcile GL Accounts (prepaid expenses, AR, AP etc.).
Maintain and record fixed assets.
Maintain a professional and courteous attitude throughout all interactions.
Maintain clear and accurate communication and collaboration with the company's accountant.
Maintain clients' files and ensure completeness of documentation with current information.
Maintain consistency in cash flow, book keeping.
Maintain Excel spreadsheets with names, addresses, hours etc..
Maintain financial historical records by filing accounting documents.
Maintain financial records and files for audit purposes.
Maintain Financial records and maintain different accounts using the bookkeeping software.
Maintain financial security by following internal accounting controls.
Maintain general ledgers and prepare financial statements.
Maintain general ledgers, cash and financial statements.
Maintain hardcopy and electronic filing systems.
Maintain historical records by filing documents.
Maintain Inventory Records and purchases file.
Maintain logbooks or records of activities and tasks.
Maintain schedules of property and equipment and calculate and record depreciation and amortization.
Maintain the General Ledger and Financial Statements.
Maintain the petty cash fund.
Maintain vendor contact records and collect W-9s from vendors.
Maintain weekly spreadsheet reports for a quick review.
Make
Make and record bank deposits.
Make an impact as a Bookkeeper with our client.
Make recommendations to ensure that there are adequate financial controls in place.
Make suggestions to improve internal processes.
Manage
Manage accounts payable, including reviewing, coding and processing payments.
Manage accounts receivable, including invoicing, collecting and recording payments.
Manage a diverse portfolio of clients and build a strong relationship with them.
Manage administration of group benefits, adding and making changes as required.
Manage all aspects of A / R and A / P.
Manage all aspects of client payrolls.
Manage all aspects of full-cycle accounting of the company assigned.
Manage all aspects of Payroll.
Manage all aspects of the cash cycle.
Manage and calculate monthly sales commissions for one broker and numerous salespersons.
Manage and maintain client records to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Manage and review work preformed by bookkeepers.
Manage and route phone calls appropriately.
Manage a task list for senior staff and follow through on action list.
Manage bank account reconciliation.
Manage benefits administration, RRSP contributions, employee stock options, etc..
Manage business processes and procedures.
Manage cash flow, the line of credit, and currency exchange from USD to CAD on an ongoing basis.
Manage disputes with financial vendors.
Manage hotel and travel reservations for STR staff.
Manage journal entries and invoices.
Manage obligations to suppliers and customers, recording income and expenses.
Manage office space and supplies as needed.
Manage payroll cycle and related remittances.
Manage working relationships with service providers.
Match
Match bank transactions to suppliers invoices.
Meet with
Meet with clients to discuss confidential accounting issues.
Meet with General Manager to review financial forecasting and operations.
Monitor
Monitor and reconcile tax installments, remittances and refunds.
Monitor budgets for each department and each business.
Monitor payments to subcontractors, suppliers and other vendors.
Monitor all spending, in and out, to ensure that we are being as smart and efficient as possible.
Monitor stocks of office supplies and warehouse supplies and report when there are shortages.
Order
Order and maintain office supplies.
Oversee
Oversee Accounts Payable and Receivable.
Oversee Administrative Clerical Staff.
Oversee renewing contracts.
Oversee payroll functions and year-end tax reporting when needed.
Oversee spending within department and company budget.
Oversee the monthly accounting close functions.
Perform
Perform account payable functions.
Perform administrative support functions.
Perform and reconcile payroll.
Perform and record all financial journal entries in the ERP system.
Perform daily accounting activities including AP invoices and AR billing.
Perform daily accounting duties including billing and other transactions.
Perform day to day accounting activities using QuickBooks.
Perform full-cycle accounting tasks using Quickbooks and the company's ERP system.
Perform general and administrative tasks as required.
Perform general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll duties.
Perform month-end close and assist with year-end.
Perform other weekly / monthly analyses and ad hoc accounting / FP&A tasks as required by management.
Perform various other bookkeeping or administrative duties on a daily basis.
Perform weekly review of accounts receivable to ensure timely collection.
Plan
Plan monthly reconciliations, financial statements and all supporting documents.
Post
Post all invoices with discrepancies.
Post transactions involving cash receipts, accounts payable and receivable to QBO.
Prepare
Prepare monthly financial statements.
Prepare monthly financial statements for all companies in the group.
Prepare monthly internal reports.
Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.
Prepare 1099's and accurately maintain tax requirements yearly.
Prepare account reconciliations and working papers.
Prepare accounts receivable / payable, bank deposits and expense reports.
Prepare and administer routine correspondence to ensure timely and coordinated payment submittals.
Prepare and assist with all matters related to collections.
Prepare and deploy daily, weekly & monthly performance reports on sales, time tracking and inventory.
Prepare and enter data into QuickBooks accounting system, including.
Prepare and enter monthly Journal Entries.
Prepare and file government reports including PD7A (payroll remittance) , WCB, ROEs and T4s.
Prepare and mail trade payoffs.
Prepare and maintain financial records including in-house financial statements.
Prepare and maintain fund flow data for all companies.
Prepare and maintain various schedules as needed and post to G / L.
Prepare and monitor product profitability reports.
Prepare and / or review period end financial statements.
Prepare and pay monthly payroll remittance to CRA.
Prepare and post monthly journal entries and year end closure and working papers.
Prepare and produce weekly church bulletins.
Prepare and reconcile client invoices.
Prepare and reconcile year CAM budgets to actual.
Prepare and submit monthly / Quarterly state / city excise tax returns.
Prepare bank deposits & cheque runs.
Prepare bank deposits, general ledger postings, and statements.
Prepare bank reconciliations for all bank accounts for clients.
Prepare customer orders, generate and send out invoices.
Prepare daily cash worksheet.
Prepare financial plans for new projects, launches, or ventures.
Prepare financial reports.
Prepare financial statement for reviewing.
Prepare financial statements and analysis for the whole of the company.
Prepare general ledger postings.
Prepare hardware / software / licensing quotes, sales orders, and purchase orders.
Prepare income tax returns from accounting records.
Prepare information for external tax accountants and CPAs as requested.
Prepare mail, assemble documents, order supplies.
Prepare month-end reporting packages.
Prepare monthly accrual basis financials.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, annually, and project-based financial reports.
Prepare monthly / quarterly HST returns and filings.
Prepare monthly & quarterly tax returns and PL statements.
Prepare monthly returns for GST and PST.
Prepare necessary information for year end outside accounting.
Prepare notice to reader financial statements.
Prepare other statistical, financial, and accounting reports.
Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports for clients.
Prepare other statistical, financial and accounting reports for month-end and yearend reporting.
Prepare payroll and issue payments to employees using QuickBooks.
Prepare profit and loss statement and balance sheet.
Prepare quotations, sending samples and catalogues through mail / courier.
Prepare semi-monthly payroll for approval and submit to Ceridian through online portal.
Prepare monthly EHT reconciliations and Annual EHT Returns.
Prepare Monthly, Quarterly and Annually P&L and Balance Sheet.
Prepare required reports as required.
Prepare statements for year-end hand-off to accounting firm.
Prepare supporting documents for financial audit.
Prepare year end Pension reconciliation and Pension Return.
Prepare T1, T2 & HST as required.
Prepare the year end for the accounting firm (Work with Multiple CPA Firms).
Prepare various remittances (GST, Employer Health Tax, WorkSafeBC).
Prepare weekly cash flow forecasts.
Prepare year-end financial reports and communicate results to the team.
Prepare year end papers for the accountant / work with accountant to finalize year end.
Prepare year-end tax slips for subcontractors.
Prepare year end working papers for auditors.
Process
Process accounts payable and pay vendors.
Process accounts receivable and make weekly bank deposits.
Process accounts receivable / payable and accounting transactions in an efficient and timely manner.
Process accounts receivable / payable in a timely matter.
Process accounts receivables / payable and handle payroll in a timely manner.
Process all mortgage transactions including funding, interest payments, NSFs, fees, and payouts.
Process and prepare contractor payments (international contractors).
Process bi-weekly payroll data entries to payroll processor.
Process contributions to comply with designated funds regulation.
Process credit card expense entries in QuickBooks.
Process credit card payments and prepayments.
Process employee business and general expense reimbursement.
Process employees' expense claims.
Process payroll and benefits.
Process incoming physical posts, emails and calls related to accounts receivable.
Process journal entries, as well as manage day-to-day accounting and finance requirements.
Process online transfers, and payments.
Process payments and ensure accuracy.
Process payments, credit card reconciliations.
Process payments received by cheque, credit card, e-transfer, money order and cash.
Process payroll for over 30 employees.
Process payroll functions on Payworks.
Process payroll gather and tabulate time records for employees daily.
Process payroll in ADP for up to 50 employees on a bi-weekly basis.
Process payroll in a timely manner.
Process weekly payroll for 75 employees, including union workers.
Produce
Produce analysis of accounts and monthly reports.
Produce client reports for Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable on a regular basis.
Produce reports on business performance (eg. New customers by partner, aged accounts).
Produce trial balance, monthly and annual financials, including P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow.
Produce work with a high level of accuracy.
Protect
Protect organization's value by keeping information confidential.
Provide
Provide accounting and clerical support to the accounting department.
Provide ad hoc reports to operating director.
Provide administrative support to the sales and customer service departments.
Provide appropriate financial records in conjunction with treasurer input.
Provide assistance to team members.
Provide bookkeeping support in a respectful, sensitive, and confidential manner.
Provide clerical and administrative support to management, if required.
Provide customer service and support to employees, vendors, customers.
Provide direct support for expense management functions.
Provide financial information to outside CPA firm for six-month and year end reporting.
Provide general office support.
Provide information and assistance to clients.
Provide oversight of collection counters.
Provide reports including above reconciliations and Trial Balance within one week of month end.
Provide support for the accounting team, including filing accounts payable and documenting expenses.
Read
Read, analyze, interpret and act upon documents and reports.
Receive
Receive and distribute all textbooks and reading books.
Receive, approve and or decline invoices.
Receive invoices from suppliers.
Receive, sort and forward incoming mail and email.
Reconcile
Reconcile activity on corporate credit cards and record activity in QuickBooks.
Reconcile all accounts as needed.
Reconcile bank accounts and credit card transactions.
Reconcile bank accounts at the end of each month.
Reconcile bank account statements.
Reconcile bank and credit card accounts monthly.
Reconcile bank and visa accounts monthly.
Reconcile bank statements.
Reconcile credit cards and bank accounts.
Reconcile daily receipts with clients account.
Reconcile monthly statements and bank accounts.
Reconcile payments to the applicable receivables for accuracy.
Reconcile petty cash and monthly credit card statements.
Reconcile physical inventory levels with computerized inventory system.
Reconcile month end gross reconciliation.
Reconcile supplier statements.
Record
Record and reconcile semi-monthly payroll run.
Record daily financial transactions, purchases, receipts, sales and payments.
Record incoming checks / receipts, including job costing records.
Record invoices, checks, account statements and other financial information.
Record monthly, quarterly and / or annual transactions.
Record receipts and disbursements.
Record & reconcile accounting transactions.
Record all cheques and cash received including bank direct deposits.
Record the monthly LMHA deposit via consolidated receipt in Yardi.
Report
Report any significant discrepancies for payroll to the Finance Coordinator immediately.
Research
Research and reconcile all discrepancies.
Resolve
Resolve account discrepancies by investigating documentation.
Review
Review and analysis of customer orders using various programs, including Excel.
Review and answer correspondence.
Review cash and cash flow forecasts.
Review fee quotation spreadsheet.
Review insurance renewals, consult on spending authorizations.
Review sales orders and tickets daily and advice the Accountant for posting.
Review tenant payments and owner payments / payouts.
Review the company's accounting information to identify and resolve inaccuracies of imbalances.
Run
Run ad hoc reports and analysis.
Run commission report for Territory Managers and analyze it.
Run weekly payables, create checks, and enter ACH payments in Accounting system.
Schedule
Schedule / coordinate hotel rooms, vehicle service, tools and supplies, order material for sites.
Schedule meetings to review Profit and Loss and Balance sheets.
Seek
Seek out opportunities to reduce manual entries and increase efficiency.
Send out
Send out invoices and statements error free to customers.
Setup client General Ledger codes.
Set up
Set up new employees including tax rates, special pay and deductions.
Share
Share in answering incoming calls to the business.
Streamline
Streamline work efficiently to increase production.
Supervise
Supervise and review the customers' finances – including month-end, quarter-end and year-end.
Support
Support accounts by verifying, allocating, and posting transactions.
Support and coach other bookkeepers on the team to grow their skills.
Support budgeting forecasting.
Support for second business, invoicing and customer support.
Support monthly accounting close.
Support other projects as needed.
Support the Centre's student placement programs.
Support the CPA who compiles financial statements quarterly.
Support the CPA who reconciles bank accounts monthly.
Support to operating business.
Tag
Tag and monitor Fixed Assets.
Take
Take all reasonable discounts on supplier invoices.
Take initiatives on problem-solving of projects and find merit in your own work.
Take independent actions and calculated risks.
Track
Track all financials on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
Track investment balances through excel spreadsheets.
Track new vendor set up including COI, W9, Subcontractors.
Understand
Understand and create spreadsheets for financial reports.
Undertake
Undertake self-development activities.
Update
Update and maintain Live Sales orders on daily basis.
Update data and delete unnecessary files.
Update job and market knowledge.
Update to customer contact and account information as required.
Use
Use Quickbooks, Excel and other programs to perform weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting.
Utilize
Utilize your accounting and interpersonal skills in this sole,.
Verify
Verify and post accounts receivable and accounts payable information.
Verify the amounts of all payroll requests before transmitting.
Verify all purchase orders in Studio Designer before processing.
Verify data and correct data where necessary.
Work with
Work closely with the Advisors and oversees the file administration of Debt Medic's clients.
Work closely with the CEO, operations team, and other client leaders to ensure client happiness.
Work Compensation Audits and reporting.
Work directly with Director on various tasks.
Work from home opportunities down the road.
Work including week days and weekends when needed.
Work on special projects as needed.
Work on special projects occasionally (Office Administration).
Work well both independently and as part of a team.
Work with a small and growing team of professionals, positioned to leverage a market niche.
Work with both the Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable.
Work with clients and employees and respond to requests as needed.
Work with confidential client matters.
Work with external auditors and CPAs on annual audit, tax filing and special projects.
Work with Treasurer to prepare annual budget.
Write
Write checks in QuickBooks Online.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Bookkeeper:
MS Excel
Post Journal Entries
Finance
Quickbooks Online
Computer Applications
MS Word
Payroll
Business Equipment
Accounting Software
Accounts Payable
MS Office
Data Entry
Business Administration
MS Outlook
Cegep
Client Focus
Accounts Receivable
AP
Customer Service
MS Windows
Bank Reconciliations
General Ledger
Quickbooks Desktop
Sage
Xero
MS Powerpoint
AR
Sage 50
Security
Simply Accounting
Full Cycle Bookkeeping
Vendor Management
Bank Reconciliation
Financial Reporting
Journal Entries
Reconciliation
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Bookkeeper:
Written and oral communication skills
Attention to detail
Organizational capacity
Interpersonal skills
Team player
Personal suitability
Work independently with little direction
Analytical ability
Problem-solving attitude
Organized
Multi-task
Tight deadlines
Time-management
Repetitive tasks
Detail-oriented
Accurate
Self-starter
Priority management
Flexible
Self-motivated
Meet deadlines
Positive attitude
Reliable
Work ethic
Professionalism
Work under pressure
Confident
Adaptable to changes
Initiative
Professional maturity
