How to Become a Bookkeeper in the UK
How to become a bookkeeper in the UK
Bookkeepers keep a business's financial records accurate and up to date: invoices in and out, bank statements, VAT and wages. You can start in an office, through an apprenticeship or as your own small business. This guide covers what the work involves, the formal routes in, and the order we suggest for building your skills.
See the learning pathFive self-paced courses, in the order the work builds up
The National Careers Service bookkeeper job profile lists the day-to-day tasks as:
The same profile says you need to be thorough and pay attention to detail, with knowledge of maths, administration skills and confidence with computers and software.
typical starting salary a year
typical salary with experience
typical hours a week
Figures from the National Careers Service. Pay varies by employer, location and hours, and self-employed bookkeepers set their own rates.
There is no single required qualification. The National Careers Service lists four ways in:
Such as bookkeeping, accounting or computerised accounting.
Including the Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2 and the Assistant Accountant Level 3 apprenticeships.
Starting in an admin role in an accounts or payroll team.
Applying straight to employers for bookkeeping jobs.
Many employers value a recognised qualification. The professional bodies the National Careers Service mentions are the Association of Accounting Technicians, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers. Rootlet courses are practical training, not formal qualifications, so they won't replace these, but they are a good way to learn the everyday work before or alongside one.
The National Careers Service notes that you could become self-employed and set up your own business. If you offer bookkeeping or accountancy services to other businesses, check whether you need to register for anti-money laundering supervision. GOV.UK explains who needs to register for money laundering supervision, either with HMRC or through a professional body such as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.
These five courses follow the order the work usually builds up in. Each one is full length and done at your own pace.
Step 1
Bookkeeping for Beginners starts from zero: records, receipts and invoices, a cash book in a spreadsheet, business expenses, getting paid, bank reconciliation, the basics of double entry and an outline of VAT, payroll and the year end.
View Bookkeeping for BeginnersStep 2
Excel for Bookkeepers covers bringing bank data into Excel, building a cash book, reconciling the bank, tracking aged debtors and supplier bills, VAT workings, and month-end and quarter-end routines.
View Excel for BookkeepersStep 3
Most bookkeeping now happens in software. Xero for Beginners takes you through setting up an organisation, contacts, sales invoices, bills, bank feeds and reconciliation, VAT and month-end reports.
View Xero for BeginnersStep 4
VAT for Small Businesses explains registration, VAT rates, VAT invoices and tax points, reclaiming input VAT, the accounting schemes, Making Tax Digital and the VAT return, and deadlines and corrections.
View VAT for Small BusinessesStep 5
Payroll for Small Businesses covers gross pay, PAYE income tax, National Insurance, deductions and payslips, workplace pensions, reporting to HMRC, statutory payments and the payroll year end.
View Payroll for Small BusinessesOnce you're comfortable with these, the National Careers Service says that with experience and training you could become an accounting technician and take on more complex work, or study further to qualify as an accountant. Its profile is the best place to check current routes and apprenticeships.
Questions about any of these courses? Email support@rootlet.co.uk.