Searching for a Bookkeeper Position

If you’re interested in becoming a bookkeeper, you might be searching for an entry-level bookkeeper position. I wanted to outline some key points to consider when looking for your first bookkeeping job. You could be looking for a job in a single company or a job in a bookkeeping or CPA firm where you would work for multiple clients. If you can work in a company that works for multiple clients, you would get a lot of exposure to many different types of businesses and this would be a great learning experience with the right firm. This article is written with the multiple client firm format in mind. However a lot of the information would be useful if you’re looking for a single company format. At the bottom of the page I’ve listed some potential questions you may ask in an interview for a bookkeeper position.

Training:

Even if you’ve taken accounting classes at your local college or you’ve taken a bookkeeping course, actually working in the field can require some training. You’ll need to learn various software programs and accounting-related websites. You’ll need to know how to manage deadlines and accomplish tasks independently. There are so many different types of businesses and each business is unique, so it’s helpful to learn to work in various businesses. Working in a company that will spend some time training you will be crucial in your first bookkeeping job. You will likely be expected to work independently once trained, so having consistent and thorough training can make the difference between being successful as a bookkeeper and getting in over your head.

Client workload:

Having a manageable client workload is really important in a bookkeeper position. Ideally you’ll have a steady flow of work without being overwhelmed. There may be busier times of the month such as when reports and reconciliations are due, but the average number of hours per week should be doable. This is assuming your work speed is steady and reasonable. If you’re getting a job at a bookkeeping firm that works for multiple clients, you may be given a time limit for each client each month. If you work slowly and can’t get the work done in the expected time frame, it’s going to be difficult to keep up the pace and meet deadlines.

Work environment:

Being in the right work environment for your personality can be helpful in being successful in your new position. Even if working in a remote position, you’ll still be affected by the way the company is run and the work environment. Some companies have multiple employees who don’t interact with each other very often, and some companies expect employees to work in teams and/or have frequent video meetings. Some companies expect employees to know what to do and be able to work without a lot of guidance, and some companies offer more interoffice support. Some companies are well organized with task lists and expected due dates, and some companies are more laid back and let things flow a little more freely. Think about what kind of work environment you work best in.

Company structure:

Something to consider is the company structure. Some companies have managers or supervisors who you’ll report to. Sometimes they’ll review your work and provide feedback as well. Some companies have bookkeepers at the same level with no management other than the owner. It helps to know what the company structure will be like so that you know what to expect.

Typically the interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. Always ask at least one question so you seem interested! Potential questions to ask an interviewer:

• Who would my supervisor be?
• Will my supervisor be reviewing my work and providing feedback?
• How will I know what tasks I need to do in a given day?
• What would a typical day be like?
• What types of tasks would I be expected to do on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?
• What type of training would I receive?
• How many clients would I be expected to maintain?
• What would my workload be like and how many hours would I be working per week?
• Are there time limits for each client or project?
• How often does the company have meetings with each other?
• How often would I have meetings with clients?
• How is communication with clients typically handled (i.e. my personal phone or company phone or company email)?
• Would I be communicating with clients?
• Why are you hiring for the role?
• What types of qualities or skills do you think will be important for me to have as an employee?
• What equipment will I need?
• Will any equipment be provided?

Bonus interview tips: Don’t ask questions if the answer is clearly in the job ad or on the company website or if the interviewer already addressed it during the interview! Always close with how excited you are for the opportunity and that you think the job would fit your skill set (assuming you still want the job by the end of the interview). And never ever ever ask about pay or benefits in interview #1! I can’t stress this last point enough.