Want to build a successful career as a certified bookkeeper or add bookkeeping skills to your list of talents? It’s a great idea – bookkeepers are in hot demand! After checking out tons of bookkeeper jobs, we’ve uncovered the top 9 skills that employers most want to see on your resume.

1. Quickbooks Online Proficiency

Quickbooks is the most widely used accounting and bookkeeping software in the US. The company dominates with a market share of over 80% across its products. Therefore, knowing the platform is one of the most essential bookkeeping skills you can possess. Check out current bookkeeping job postings. You’ll find that most of them want professional bookkeepers who know and can use QuickBooks Online. Why do organizations love this accounting software so much? Well, it’s because:

• The platform offers a complete range of bookkeeping and accounting features (really, there’s a lot!)
• It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes
• The features are scalable in line with business growth

QuickBooks is also well-known for its automation capabilities, making data capture and processing seamless. So, as part of your proficiency in this area, you should be able to demonstrate your skill in optimizing accounting workflows. In all, for a budding bookkeeping career, QuickBooks is 100% one of the best places to start. Tip: It’s worth getting certified in QuickBooks. Adding official certifications is a great way to establish yourself as a pro and prove you know your stuff. Plus, having this level of expertise will make it even easier to score new clients or positions.

2. Xero Proficiency

If you stop at QuickBooks, you’ll be selling yourself short. Even though it’s the most widely used accounting software, it doesn’t mean it’s the only one you should learn. For us, the second on the list for bookkeeping software is Xero. It’s similar to Quickbooks in terms of feature set but is designed specifically for the small business.  Xero hails from New Zealand and although it has a presence in over 180 countries, most of its users are based in the UK, Australia, the US, and its home country. Since many organizations are global, adding Xero proficiency to your resume will help you appeal to them. Being proficient in Xero will also help you obtain Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting – a recognized vocational qualification in Australia. Like QuickBooks, Xero offers certifications. They’re free of charge and take a matter of hours. So, obtaining these is a quick win. Tip: Did you know that you can integrate Quickbooks Online and Xero with Keeper?  Keeper assists you with your bookkeeping tasks so you can close out the month in half the time. And its 2-way sync ensures that any changes made in Keeper instantly update in Quickbooks Online and Xero, so you don’t have to toggle back and forth between different software and Excel sheets.

3. Basic Spreadsheet Skills

Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are still the firm favorites of many organizations. And, it’s easy to understand why. While spreadsheets certainly aren’t the most efficient way to perform bookkeeping, they are low-cost and relatively easy to use. Therefore, you often find that this method is favored by smaller businesses and freelancers who lack accounting know-how. So, if you’re looking to capture these types of clients, then a basic knowledge of spreadsheets is a must-have on your list of bookkeeper skills. What do we mean by basic, exactly?  You must understand how to manipulate the data to create balance sheets, income statements, financial reports, and so on. Which includes the following skills:

• Setting up and organizing worksheets for multiple financial aspects
• Formatting columns, rows, and cells appropriately
• Basic financial formulas, such as arithmetic operations, SUM, AVERAGE, etc.
• Highly detail-oriented data entry (it’s a manual process so you have to be hot on accuracy)
• Creating tables, charts, and graphics
• Linking data between multiple sheets
• Creating and using pivot tables

And, of course, you must be adept at sorting and filtering all the data to perform basic analysis and spot discrepancies.

4. Creating Financial Reports

A core part of any bookkeeping job description will be the ability to generate all types of financial reports, including:

• Income statements
• Balance sheets
• Cash flow statements
• Statement of earnings
• Budget vs actual
• And more

Although most accounting software can generate these reports for you, it’s still necessary to possess high attention to detail. Even more so if the employer uses manual spreadsheets. Your ability to spot discrepancies and errors is key. So is verifying the data that goes into the reports.  Additionally, your analytical skills must extend beyond simply showing the numbers.  You certainly won’t be expected to perform an in-depth analysis like an accountant would, but you still need to be able to identify trends, patterns, and data anomalies. Your ability in this area is what enables stakeholders to make an informed decision about finances. Speaking of accounting, knowledge of accounting principles also matters. Understanding Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), etc., will ensure your reporting adheres to best practices. We all know that reports are time-sensitive. Getting them out on time requires serious organizational skills plus soft skills like time management. One way to impress your clients is to use a tool like Keeper to generate polished financial reports in a few clicks. They’re presented in an easily digestible, readable format which your clients will appreciate.

5. Managing Invoices and Accounts Payable

Processing and paying invoices is one of the key bookkeeping tasks. Employers want successful bookkeepers who are savvy enough to pay vendors on time and accurately.  Doing so establishes their business as trustworthy and reliable and helps maintain solid client relations. Your bookkeeping skills in this department include the ability to:

• Understand differing payment terms (Cash in advance, cash on delivery, letter of credit, and so on)
• Review and approve invoices
• Record invoices in the accounts payable account within the general ledger
• Assign general ledger (GL) codes to invoices
• Add the debit entry to the appropriate account
• Match invoices with purchase orders and receiving documents
• Schedule and facilitate payments before the invoice deadline

Often, you will be juggling multiple invoices at once, each with its own set of payment terms and deadlines. So, you must be efficient at handling these simultaneously.  If one slips through the cracks, it can quickly damage vendor relations so your skills need to ensure this doesn’t happen. Insider Tip: Organizations are always looking for ways to streamline these types of functions. If you can bring optimization ideas to the table (like automation), then you’ll stand a much better chance of landing your dream bookkeeper job.

6. Managing Payroll

Although payroll is not strictly a core function of a professional bookkeeper, it’s a great skill to have, especially if you want to become a full-charge bookkeeper. It’s also a role frequently carried out by accounting firms and is a valuable addition to any firm’s bookkeeping services list.   Since both are financial functions, it’s natural that bookkeeping and payroll go hand-in-hand. And, because of this, many organizations expect you to possess both skills. What does the job of a payroll expert involve, exactly? First, you need an extremely strong understanding of federal and state labor laws and tax regulations. Anywhere the business operates and has employees – you have to know the laws inside out. Proficiency with payroll software is also necessary. For example, ADP Run and Gusto are two popular payroll platforms (QuickBooks and Xero also include this function).  Then, the main payroll skills, include:

• Tracking and calculating employee pay 
• Applying deductions and taxes
• Spotting discrepancies and errors – and correcting them
• Handling sensitive financial information securely

A payroll expert must also possess many expert-level soft skills, such as:

• Project management
• Communication skills
• Time management
• Conflict handling

You’re responsible for ensuring that staff get paid properly and on time, which means the pressure is always on. It’s on you to effectively address pay concerns and disputes with staff.  Keeping a cool head is a must!

Reconciling Bank and Credit Card Records

Another core bookkeeping skill, reconciling bank and credit accounts also requires high levels of efficiency and (you guessed it) accuracy. A skilled bookkeeper will fully understand and know how to apply double-entry bookkeeping and abide by GAAP accounting principles. They will also know the different types of transactions and how to record them properly. Skills in this area also include:

• Analyzing each journal entry with keen eyes. Tiny discrepancies can have a big impact if missed
• Looking into the discrepancies and resolving them
• Knowing the reasons for any differences such as timing problems, fraud, or error
• Using software and spreadsheets effectively to record transactions
• Performing precise calculations to adjust balances and ensure reconciled amounts match across records

Excellent communication skills are crucial here because you will be liaising with stakeholders to report your findings. You may also need to speak regularly with banks and credit card institutions to flag and resolve issues. Also, you must have a deep understanding of banking and credit card processes. This will heighten your ability to spot fraudulent transactions, monitor cash flow properly, and maintain that all-important accuracy.

7. Track Vendors and Manage 1099s

One skill we find that pops up frequently in a bookkeeper job description is the ability to manage and handle the 1099 tax form. Specifically, employers want a certified public bookkeeper who can:

• Request and obtain the W-9 form and taxpayer identification number (TIN) from contractors and vendors
• Track vendor payments and transactions throughout the tax year
• Identify which vendors do – and don’t – require the 1099 form based on the monetary thresholds
• Request and collect the W-9 for any services that were provided by your client or employer
• Recognize which version of the 1099 form to use (and when) must also form part of your bookkeeping skill set
• Know the latest IRS 1099 requirements (and keep the knowledge up-to-date)
• Navigate the 1099 electronic filing system properly

Overall, 1099s are a complicated, time-consuming aspect of business administration that requires a lot of attention. Therefore, employers are keen to find ways to optimize this process. Using Keeper to track and prepare 1099s is one way to do it. The platform quickly identifies vendors that meet the reporting requirements and flags if a W-9 is missing.  Then a request for the form can be sent in a matter of clicks and saves your employer the hassle.

8. Pay Bills and Manage Accounts Receivable

As for money coming in (accounts receivable), you must be on the ball to ensure the business maintains a healthy cash flow. This means you need to keep on top of multiple customer accounts and their respective due dates. And, of course, track and record the payments correctly. Beyond invoice management, one big thing we also want to highlight is that you should be able to analyze financial data and spot areas where money can be saved. Having the talent to find cost-saving opportunities is a skill that most businesses are eager to acquire. So, if you can add this as a resume example, then you’re onto a winner. Also:

• Soft skills like effective negotiating and communication skills will help you greatly
• Time management matters

Why? Because often, a discount is applied if a payment is made well ahead of its deadline. It also becomes easier to get better payment terms or deals.

9. Bookkeeping Practice Management Software Proficiency

All in all, there are tons of skills that will make your resume stand out and help you land the perfect bookkeeper position. And, if your talents aren’t quite up to scratch then there are ways to get yourself there. For instance, consider investing in a bookkeeping course to increase your talents and even become certified. Or, if you’re already experienced, the next step could be advancing to a certified public accountant. Before we finish, we’ve got one more big piece of bookkeeping career advice to share. Bookkeeping practice management software is your biggest ally when it comes to demonstrating a strong skill in efficiency and optimization. Keeper’s extensive suite of features takes care of time-consuming task management and client communications.  Plus, as we already mentioned, it integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online and Xero – two of the most popular accounting and bookkeeping platforms around. The result? Your work is accurate and fully compliant with accounting principles and regulations. And, you’ll dramatically speed up the month-end close. So, if you want to impress potential employers, consider adding Keeper to your list of bookkeeper skills. To learn more about why our customers love Keeper, check out these related articles or book a demo.