What is a Full Charge Bookkeeper, and Should You Hire One?

what is a full charge bookkeeper

They handle a wide range of financial tasks, from day-to-day transactions to complex reporting, ensuring the business has an accurate picture of its financial health at all times. As the name suggests, a ‘full charge’ bookkeeper is responsible for all a company’s accounting tasks. This role combines the duties of a bookkeeper and accountant and manages end-to-end outsourced financial services, typically for small- to medium-sized businesses.

what is a full charge bookkeeper

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It breeds confidence in a candidate’s abilities, competencies, and knowledge of best practices and industry standards. Plus, instead of hiring CPAs, you can pay for only the CPA services your full service bookkeeper can’t perform. Becoming a full charge bookkeeper requires a combination of education, practical experience, and professional certifications. In this section, we will explore the steps you need to take to embark on this career path. Most of the tasks can be performed by a full charge bookkeeper at a less expensive rate. Full charge bookkeepers are usually found in small- to medium-sized companies, particularly those that lack a full in-house accounting department.

Q: What skills are needed to be a successful full charge bookkeeper?

A full-charge bookkeeper manages financial reporting and analysis by preparing profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports. Moreover, regular reporting helps stakeholders understand financial health, track performance, and make informed decisions. This supports both compliance and strategic planning for the business’s long-term stability. With a full what is a full charge bookkeeper charge bookkeeper at the helm, a business experiences increased efficiency in managing its finances. These bookkeepers are responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day financial operations and ensuring that everything from payroll to receivables is handled in a timely manner.

How Does a Full Charge Bookkeeper Differ From An Accountant?

The number of tasks you assign to them directly impacts the price of each bookkeeping service. Freelance bookkeepers often come from different backgrounds, but this doesn’t mean they necessarily offer lower prices for their services. That’s why it’s important to consider a person who has at least a bachelor’s degree. FreshBooks is an invoicing and accounting software for small businesses. Business owners who wish to automate their financial tasks can use some of the latest tools on the market. Depending on your unique situation, a bookkeeper will do anything from leading vendor relationships to informing cross-enterprise reporting.

  • The full-charge bookkeeper’s steady hand ensures the business voyage remains prosperous and true.
  • Their responsibilities include managing all aspects of general ledger, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, as well as handling payroll information, credit card statements, and cash flow.
  • Full charge bookkeepers do not necessarily need a finance education or certification, though they can obtain licensing to enhance their professionalism.
  • A business may decide to hire a full charge bookkeeper rather than a bookkeeper or a CPA for several reasons.
  • It is common in small to medium-sized businesses that require rigorous accounting practices but may not yet have a full accounting department.
  • To get one, you’ll have to have at least two years of professional experience in the field and pass the exam.

TAX CONSULTING SERVICES

Furthermore, a full charge bookkeeper is hired at a company with no accounting department. This means that they are responsible for completing all tasks required to keep the books in good order, such as payroll and taxes. After giving opportunities to numerous accounting services providers, we found Whiz consulting. Full charge income statement bookkeeping becomes cost-effective when the process reduces errors, minimizes rework, and supports decision-making without adding unnecessary staff or expenses. It’s not just about the rate they charge, but how much time and effort they save you in the long run.

Job Brief

what is a full charge bookkeeper

Your transaction volume, the frequency of financial reporting, and any additional services like payroll or tax preparation all influence the total. We’ll carefully assess your specific business needs before providing a transparent and personalized quote, ensuring you receive a fair price with no hidden QuickBooks ProAdvisor costs. Look for someone who has handled the full accounting cycle independently, including reconciliations, journal entries, payroll, and financial statement preparation. A full-charge bookkeeper with several years of experience can manage complex transactions and month-end closes without relying on supervision.

  • In financial management, full-charge bookkeeping is crucial in maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records for businesses.
  • To help you determine if hiring a full charge bookkeeper is in your business’s best interest, you need to know what this role entails and how it is different from other bookkeeping work.
  • Full charge bookkeeping has a higher level of responsibility attached to it.
  • Moreover, a bookkeeper with certain certifications will help you with business transactions, managing accounts payable and receivable and performing the basic duties of a taxation expert.
  • That way, you’ll better understand how they contribute to maintaining your company’s financial health.
  • By possessing the necessary skills and qualifications, full charge bookkeepers contribute to the financial success and stability of businesses.
  • On the other hand, full charge bookkeepers are responsible for all the books.

$200 – $1,000+ average cost per month (part-time)

what is a full charge bookkeeper

In the bustling business world, a full-charge bookkeeper is the navigator and steward of the financial ship, ensuring all accounting duties are performed accurately and efficiently. This role goes beyond standard bookkeeping, embracing a wider berth of responsibilities and trust. When selecting a professional bookkeeping service, consider their experience, reputation, and the range of services they offer.

what is a full charge bookkeeper

They are responsible for reconciling bank statements, ensuring that all transactions are properly categorized and recorded in the general ledger. Full charge bookkeepers also make necessary adjustments to journal entries to correct any discrepancies found during the reconciliation process. A full charge bookkeeper takes on full responsibility for managing all the accounting functions within a small to mid-sized company.

Additionally, businesses may also conduct OJTs to familiarize bookkeepers with the specific processes and software they use. They have a comprehensive knowledge of the ins and outs of the bookkeeping process. Full service bookkeepers are in charge of managing complete cycles of accounting.

  • In this role you will be responsible for managing the full cycle of accounting duties for the company.
  • A companyoften has backup staff and more resources to keep everything running smoothly.
  • In major cities like San Francisco or New York City, it’snot uncommon to see rates go up to $40–$50 per hour for mid-level roles, andeven higher for full-charge bookkeeping or CPA-level service.
  • One of the key duties of a full charge bookkeeper is managing accounts receivable.
  • They should have at least a baseline familiarity with the most popular tools used by bookkeepers and accountants.
  • Full charge bookkeepers who work for outsourcing firms are well-versed in the latest accounting practices and regulations.

Full-Charge Bookkeeper vs. Controller vs. CPA

CPAs hold higher accounting expertise and are authorized to perform specialized tasks like audits, tax planning, and consulting. A full-charge bookkeeping role may not be a great fit for every company. This position fills a particular talent gap as a result of a small business’s growth. Most smaller businesses work with their own in-house teams or outsourced bookkeepers until they reach a certain size. At that point, they usually add high-level roles like controllers or CPAs full-time. And while a full-charge bookkeeper will eventually supervise these roles, you’ll need to make sure you’re appropriately staffed to fill the void this promotion leaves behind.

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