Bookkeeper job description template

A bookkeeper records the money coming in and going out, reconciles accounts and keeps the books ready for your accountant at tax time. Many small businesses only need part-time help. The best posts name your accounting software, roughly how many transactions you handle and whether payroll or sales tax is part of the job.

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Bookkeeper

Part-time
Your Company is looking for a careful, reliable bookkeeper to keep our financial records accurate and up to date. You'll record transactions, reconcile accounts, manage bills and invoices, and prepare clean monthly reports for our owner and accountant. This is a part-time role where accuracy and consistency matter more than speed. If you take pride in books that balance, we'd like to meet you.

What you’ll do

  • Record sales, expenses and deposits in QuickBooks Online or Xero
  • Reconcile bank and credit card accounts every month
  • Enter vendor bills, pay them on schedule and track what's coming due
  • Send customer invoices and follow up on late payments
  • Run payroll or prepare payroll information for our payroll provider
  • Prepare monthly profit and loss statements and balance sheets
  • Organize receipts and records and work with our CPA at tax time
  • Flag unusual transactions, cash-flow concerns or missing paperwork

What we’re looking for

  • Previous bookkeeping experience for a small business
  • Hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop or Xero
  • Solid understanding of accounts payable, accounts receivable and bank reconciliation
  • A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • Trustworthy with confidential financial information

Nice to have

  • QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor or Xero Advisor certification
  • Experience filing sales tax returns
  • Familiarity with Gusto, ADP or another payroll service
  • Coursework or a certificate in accounting or bookkeeping

Schedule

Part-time with flexible hours, usually a few days a week plus extra time at month-end. Some of the work may be done remotely.

What we offer

  • Flexible hours that fit around your schedule
  • Option to work remotely part of the time
  • Prorated paid time off
  • Steady, long-term work with one business

Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.

Screening questions for a bookkeeper

Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.

  • Do you have hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online or Xero?Yes / No · required
  • How many years of bookkeeping experience do you have, and for what kinds of businesses?Short answer · required
  • Describe how you track down the problem when a bank reconciliation doesn't balance.Paragraph

Bookkeeper interview questions

  1. Walk me through your month-end close process.
  2. A bank reconciliation is off by a small amount. How do you find the problem?
  3. How do you handle a customer invoice that's two months overdue?
  4. What's the difference between cash and accrual accounting, and when does it matter for a small business?
  5. How do you keep receipts and supporting documents organized for the accountant?
  6. Have you set up or cleaned up a chart of accounts? How did you decide on the categories?
  7. What would you do if you noticed an expense that didn't look right?

Tips for hiring a bookkeeper

  • Give finalists a short paid test: a sample month of transactions to categorize and a bank statement to reconcile.
  • Ask your accountant to review the test or join the final interview. They'll spot gaps in knowledge quickly.
  • If they'll have access to bank accounts, consider a background check through a reputable screening company, which requires the candidate's written authorization.
  • Give your new bookkeeper their own login with limited permissions in QuickBooks or Xero instead of sharing yours.