What is a full charge bookkeeper?

This means that the full charge bookkeeper reports straight to a senior manager, such as the president, and may interact directly with the company’s board of directors and auditors. The position can be assisted by an outside CPA who advises on how to record certain of the more complicated business transactions. The full charge bookkeeper may supervise various accounting clerks. For example, a billing clerk, payables clerk, or payroll clerk may report to the bookkeeper. Full charge bookkeepers are solely responsible for a company’s accounting department. This means they will want to demonstrate their capacity for leadership and their ability to handle teams, along with managing all of the details of financial operations.

• Businesses often seek candidates with at least five years’ experience, although expectations differ significantly by firm.
• The position is most commonly found in smaller organizations where there is no need for a controller, and which has relatively uncomplicated accounting transactions.
• Someone capable of end-to-end accounting is going to cost a company more than someone less experienced in bookkeeping.
• In general, the bookkeeper’s job is limited to recording transactions, while an accountant does the rest.

As a business owner, you will want to leverage talent and strategic hires to foster growth. To hire full time, you will want to source candidates with care. If you have the ability, you can promote from within with a bit of extra training.

Requirements for a full-charge bookkeeper role

full charge bookkeeper is typically entrusted to a junior and less experienced member of your business. Think of the standard bookkeeper like your basic car model, no bells and whistles but is functional and inexpensive. A full charge bookkeeper is that same make of car but with the upgraded package that includes heated and power seats, power windows and mirrors, and most importantly, comes with a higher price tag.

Candidates for bookkeeping positions should have solid communication, organizational and customer service skills. Demands for technology expertise vary by company but may include proficiency with such applications as Microsoft Excel or QuickBooks. Businesses often seek at least three years’ experience, although requirements differ significantly by firm. Full charge bookkeeper responsibilities include going much deeper into the general ledger than a regular bookkeeper. Journal entries are prepared and entered by the full charge bookkeeper for accounts such as fixed assets and depreciation. At the end of each month, a trial balance is run to verify that general ledger accounts are in balance. A full-charge bookkeeper is the same as a bookkeeper, except that the «full charge» part of the title designates the person as being solely responsible for accounting.

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Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. Since 1997, Maria Christensen has written about business, history, food, culture and travel for diverse publications. Christensen studied communications and accounting at the University of Washington, and history at Armstrong State University.