This post provides detailed information on the full charge bookkeeper job description and career, to help you learn the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
It shows how to become a full charge bookkeeper, the requirements you need to fulfill to be hired, and the various job positions you can get with a full charge bookkeeper career.
Please, read on:
What Does a Full Charge Bookkeeper Do?
The full charge bookkeeper is responsible for checking every bank account and verifying all payments made by employees, directors, managers, and officers.
He/she will prepare and record the company’s income tax and remittance documents, including but not limited to sales tax reports, and ensure that they are filed in a timely manner.
They will maintain accurate account of all business transactions.
The full charge bookkeeper job description also entails making sure that the proper and complete filing of monthly financial reports in the accounting software used is done.
This is to comply with the different guidelines and regulations.
They will ensure that all company funds are properly managed by disbursement of appropriate funds to their rightful clients or beneficiaries.
Full charge bookkeepers are responsible for preparing annual financial statements, including the preparation of tax returns, quarterly, and monthly financial statements, as well as other periodic reports related to the company, like income statements, balance sheets, and notes to financial statement.
It is the duty of the Full charge bookkeeper to prepare and record the government and corporate tax returns; as well as ensuring that they are filed in a timely manner.
More Duties Performed by Full Charge Bookkeepers
Full charge bookkeepers are responsible for the safety of company property and valuable assets, such as accounting software, computer programs, and data.
They review the accounts payable transactions with vendors and suppliers to ensure that they are in compliance with company procedures and practices.
Maintaining an orderly filing system for all accounts paid, sales invoices or purchase invoices, and ensuring that they are properly filed in an orderly manner is another key part of their duties.
The full charge bookkeeper’s role also include ensuring that proper and sufficient funds are available for the billing of services rendered by clients to the suppliers.
They ensure orderly accounting control procedures by reconciling all transactions with journals daily, as well as with ledgers and forms in order to verify the accuracy of all transactions before they are recorded or submitted to authorities or authorities.
Full Charge Bookkeeper Job Description Sample/Example/Template
The full charge bookkeeper job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:
- Ensures that appropriate personnel are assigned to handle specific projects or programs and that all duties are properly coordinated
- Reviews and approves or recommends changes in policies, standards, and acceptance of products or services rendered by outside vendors/suppliers
- Oversees preparation of budget estimates using established techniques; analyzes budget results and makes adjustments where necessary to achieve budgetary goals
- Resolves personnel problems, such as complaints about policies, rules, and regulations, promotions, and employee performance
- Analyzes data and presents information relevant to business operations, work in process, and products or services, for the purpose of providing necessary information for future planning
- Supervises activities that may include implementation of new systems, procedures or technology and resolves any problems that may arise as a result of system changes
- Maintains and controls inventory to ensure compliance with company policy, subject to periodic review by appropriate management personnel
- Submits required reports, such as financial reports, schedules or special studies that may be required to be submitted to management or clients
- Plans programs of activities and prepares materials for meetings with clients, board of directors, and staff meetings
- May negotiate contracts and manage day-to-day operations of organization according to the strategic plan(s) prepared by senior management.
Full Charge Bookkeepers Job Description for Resume
If you have worked before as a full charge bookkeeper or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, you can apply the sample full charge bookkeeper job description presented above in making your resume.
You can show the duties and responsibilities you carried out as a full charge bookkeeper in the Professional Experience section of your resume by applying the full charge bookkeeper duties and responsibilities from the above job description sample.
This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful performing the full charge bookkeeper’s role.
This piece of information in your resume can enhance its ability to get you an interview with the recruiter/employer, especially if the job that you are seeking requires having some full charge bookkeeper work experience.
Full Charge Bookkeeper Job Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Ability for Career Success
If you are seeking to work as a full charge bookkeeper, then here are major requirements that most recruiter/employer will want you to meet:
- Must be literate in English
- Possess proficiency in the use of a computer (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, etc.)
- Must have the ability to use accounting software, such as any Microsoft Office software products (WordPerfect, InDesign or QuarkXpress) and QuickBooks accounting system
- Have ability to manage multiple projects/programs at once while maintaining careful attention to detail; not waste time on unimportant details that can be dealt with later on when time is available
- Possess the ability to communicate effectively with other staff members and management
- Strong capability in supervising employees and ensuring that they are meeting work expectations
- Must be flexible since they will need to adapt themselves to the needs of their company or clients as changes may occur in their business, as well as other business related issues
- Must have the ability to travel to other countries where clients or suppliers are located for in-person meetings when necessary for a project/program implementation, among others
- Must be able to organize their time effectively; not procrastinate when it comes to a task that needs to be done immediately, among others
- Must have the ability to interact with clients and suppliers when necessary
- Possess the ability to juggle multiple projects/programs at once and be very organized in order to perform their duties effectively, among other things.
Full Charge Bookkeeper Salary
The average salary for a full charge bookkeeper in the United States is $58,152 per year.
The best paying cities include: New York, NY, $70,030; Los Angeles, CA, $68,213; Brooklyn, NY, $64,136; San Antonio, TX, $58,484; and Naples, FL, $58,143 per year.
There are currently over 291,143 full charge bookkeepers working in the United States.
Women make up 86.1% of all full charge bookkeepers, while men make up 13.9%.
An employed full charge bookkeeper is 50 years old on average.
White full charge bookkeepers are the most common ethnicity (71.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (12.9%), Black or African American (7.1%), and Asian (6.4%).
Women were projected to earn 97% of what men would earn in 2021.
(Full charge bookkeeper salary informational sources: indeed.com, zippia.com, ziprecruiter.com, and glassdoor.com).
Full Charge Bookkeeper Career Opportunities
A full charge bookkeeper has various career opportunities they can get into, these include:
- Accounting Manager
An accounting manager manages the accounting department of their company or organization.
2. Assistant Controller
An assistant controller is responsible for preparing financial statement, payroll, and other related tasks.
Their job description also involves completing general business tasks, such as information requests, data gathering, and communicating with vendors.
3. Corporate Controller
A corporate controller is responsible for overall financial planning of the organization.
They prepare reports of various financial statements and control the company’s treasury and accounting.
4, Finance Analyst
A finance analyst is responsible for making various financial statements, controlling assets and liabilities, monitoring trends, and analyzing financial risks.
They are also responsible for reporting information to senior management regarding business trends and providing recommendations.
5. Senior Finance Analyst
The senior finance analyst job description entails providing support to the senior management by reporting all financial, cost, and revenue data.
They are also responsible for preparing reports in accordance with information provided by the business units.
6. Manager Finance Planning And Analysis
The manager finance planning and analysis plans and monitors the overall financial activities of their organization.
They are also responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting system for their organization.
7. Office Manager of Human Resources
The office manager of Human Resources (HR) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the HR department and ensuring that HR processes and policies are followed.
They help manage and update employee records, manage employee benefits and payroll, handle employee relations among other responsibilities.
8. Senior Accountant
A senior accountant is a highly skilled and experienced professional who is responsible for overseeing the accounting operations of a company.
They are responsible for the accurate and timely preparation of financial statements, as well as the maintenance of complete and accurate financial records.
9. Accounting Director
An accounting director is a high-level manager responsible for overseeing the accounting operations of a company.
They are responsible for the overall accuracy and integrity of the company’s financial records and for ensuring that all financial reporting is in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Accounting directors work closely with the senior management team to develop and implement financial strategies and policies, and to ensure that the company’s financial systems are efficient and effective.
10. Finance Controller
A financial controller is responsible for managing the financial reporting and control systems of an organization.
This typically includes tasks such as preparing financial statements, overseeing budgeting and forecasting processes.
They are also responsible for ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and providing financial analysis and support to decision-makers within the organization.
The financial controller may also be responsible for managing the organization’s financial risks, such as through the use of financial instruments like derivatives.
Challenges faced by Full Charge Bookkeeper on the Job
Full charge bookkeepers tackle many challenges on the job, including:
- Navigating personality clashes and office politics
Full charge bookkeepers must interact with staff who are frustrated and under pressure often.
They are required to implement effective policies and procedures which may not be easy to implement.
Full charge bookkeepers need to deal with personality clashes, office politics, conflicting parties and mounting client demands, which is a challenge for them.
2. Mounting client demands
The mounting client demands on the job can become frustrating for many full charge bookkeepers.
Their job is to provide any type of financial, accounting, tax, and audit reports in a timely manner.
Clients who demand them must be pleased with the reports that they are provided.
Any client who is not pleased can lead to conflict, office politics, and unhappy staff members.
3. Dealing with tight deadlines
Full charge bookkeepers are required to successfully complete any tasks that they are assigned without fail.
They must ensure that all their clients are satisfied and keep them informed about each project’s progress so that their business can grow.
How to Become a Full Charge Bookkeeper
If you are interested in becoming a full charge bookkeeper, then here are steps you need to take:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or in a comparable field is required
Completing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or in a comparable field is essential to become a full charge bookkeeper.
It provides them with the necessary skills to understand financial statements from various companies and organizations.
2. Bookkeeping certification
Full charge bookkeepers must have a bookkeeping certification; this will help them build credibility.
A bookkeeping certification enhances the professional status of a full charge bookkeeper and protects their career.
The American Bookkeepers Certification Agency (ABCA) is the most popular certification in the bookkeeping industry.
Bookkeeping certification will also help full charge bookkeepers find jobs in different companies.
3. Previous experience as a full charge bookkeeper
Hiring full charge bookkeepers depends on their previous work experiences.
If they have enough experience and they have been with different companies, they will be able to manage projects, meet deadline, and handle a wide range of clients.
Other things to have to become a Full Charge Bookkeeper
4. Advanced knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping software
The full charge bookkeepers must have advanced knowledge in accounting and bookkeeping.
They need to have experience with all the different types of accounting software which can be utilized by the company, like Quick books and Sage.
They must have experience with different types of accounting procedures and laws.
5. Experience preparing financial statements and tax returns
Full charge accountants are expected to prepare financial statements for their organization as well as prepare tax returns for the company.
This is an essential requirement from employers.
6. Ability to work to a strict deadline
Full charge bookkeepers are expected to complete their tasks within a tight deadline, which sometimes might be hard to achieve.
They must have the ability to work with time constraints as they are expected to complete a large number of projects in a short span of time.
Major Benefits of a Full Charge Bookkeeper Career
Some of the major benefits of a full charge bookkeeper’s career include:
- Steady income
Full charge bookkeepers are expected to receive consistent and regular income. This can help them plan their retirement or save for the future.
2. Opportunity to work at multi-national companies
Working as a full charge bookkeeper can offer full career development opportunity.
They can work in different areas of finance, accounting, law, and marketing, which will improve their knowledge while they gain experience and confidence.
This will help them have better chances of finding good jobs when they decide to leave their current employer.
3. Accumulate a lot of valuable experience in their careers
Working as a full charge bookkeeper will enhance the professional skills of full charge bookkeepers.
They are required to complete different projects and different jobs which can help them build their career and make valuable contacts that can be useful for their future.
4. Job opportunities worldwide
Full charge bookkeepers have the opportunity to work in different parts of the world because the demand for their services is constantly increasing worldwide.
People from different countries are looking for full charge bookkeepers to help them manage their businesses.
This will give them the opportunity to build their career and make valuable contacts from all over the world.
Other Benefits of being a Full Charge Bookkeeper
5. Social security benefits
Full charge bookkeepers are eligible to social security benefits. This includes health insurance, disability insurance, and pension benefits, as well as survivors benefits.
6. Flexible working hours
Full charge bookkeepers can work for different companies which may have flexible time requirements for the project that they are working on.
This can help their career grow faster and help them gain experience.
7. Advancement opportunities depending on their skills, jobs, and performance
Full charge bookkeepers who have attained a higher level of professional education and skills are more likely to be promoted to managerial positions than those who have a lower level of education and skills.
Conclusion
The full charge bookkeeper is responsible for authorizing, recording, and verifying financial transactions, ensuring that the company or client’s accounting records are accurate and up-to-date.
They are expected to receive consistent and regular income. This can help them plan their retirement or save for the future.
Bookkeeping is a career choice that can help make the lives of full charge bookkeepers more comfortable as they will be able to receive benefits from it.
However, it is important for full charge bookkeepers to have the required skills in order to make their career successful.
This post is helpful to individuals interested in becoming a full charge bookkeeper.
They will be able to learn all about what full charge bookkeepers do and so be able to decide correctly if it’s the right career for them.
It is also useful to recruiters/employers needing to make a detailed description of the full charge bookkeeper’s job in their organizations.
They can apply the sample full charge bookkeeper job description provided on this page to do so.