Bookkeeper
Also advertised as: Accounts Bookkeeper, Bookkeeper, Client Bookkeeper, Finance Administrator, Practice Bookkeeper, Purchase Ledger Bookkeeper
Keeps day-to-day financial records accurate for a business or a portfolio of clients.
What the job involves
Bookkeepers record sales, purchases, receipts and payments so that a business always knows where it stands financially. Many work for accountancy practices serving several small clients, while others sit in-house at a single company. It is a practical, qualification-friendly route into finance that does not require a degree.
Typical responsibilities
- Record daily financial transactions accurately
- Reconcile bank statements and supplier accounts
- Process invoices, expenses and payment runs
- Prepare VAT returns for submission
- Produce basic management reports for clients or managers
Common employers
- Accountancy practices
- Small and medium businesses
- Charities
- Retailers
- Self-employment
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£20,000 – £24,000 a year
With experience
£26,000 – £33,000 a year
Typical hours
35-37.5 hours, part-time common
Working environment
Office or home based
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Accounting software
- Attention to detail
- Numeracy
- Organisation
Transferable skills you may already have
- Handling household or club finances
- Spreadsheet use
- Reliability with deadlines
Requirements employers ask for
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Accounting software
- Attention to detail
- Numeracy
- Organisation
- AAT Level 2 or equivalent for most roles
Useful but not essential
- Handling household or club finances
- Spreadsheet use
- Reliability with deadlines
- AAT Level 3
- Xero or QuickBooks certification
Helpful qualifications
- AAT Level 3
- Xero or QuickBooks certification
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Assistant Accountant (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Maths
- Related subject: Business studies
- Related subject: Accounting
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Bookkeeper
next
Accounts Assistant
next
AAT Accountant
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Genuine part-time and freelance flexibility
- AAT is affordable and widely respected
- Skills apply to any sector
What people find hard
- Repetitive during month-end and VAT deadlines
- Software errors can be time-consuming to trace
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a bookkeeper?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a bookkeeper earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £20,000 to £24,000 a year, rising towards £33,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Handling household or club finances, Spreadsheet use, Reliability with deadlines.
Related careers
Mortgage Adviser
Advises people on mortgages and protection, and takes their application through to completion.
Accounts Assistant
Processes invoices, payments and reconciliations and supports the monthly accounts.
Financial Adviser
Advises clients on pensions, investments and protection against their long-term goals.
Management Accountant
Turns financial data into budgets, forecasts and advice managers can act on.
Payroll Administrator
Makes sure everyone is paid correctly and on time, and that HMRC reporting is right.
Insurance Underwriter
Decides which risks an insurer will cover and on what terms and price.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
Read how our career data is built and reviewed, or tell us if something here is wrong.