Full Charge Bookkeeper

Career Guide

A Full Charge Bookkeeper manages a company’s day to day accounting from transaction entry through monthly reporting. This role often supports small and mid sized businesses by handling accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, bank reconciliations, basic financial statements, and preparation for tax filing with an external accountant.

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Key Responsibilities

Record sales, expenses, and journal entries in the accounting system
Manage accounts payable including invoice coding, approvals, and payment runs
Manage accounts receivable including invoicing, payment tracking, and follow up
Reconcile bank, credit card, and loan accounts
Prepare month end close activities including accruals and adjusting entries
Produce financial reports such as profit and loss and balance sheet
Maintain the general ledger and keep records organized for audit and taxes
Support payroll processing by collecting time data and confirming payroll entries
Track cash flow and flag upcoming payment risks
Coordinate with external accountants for tax filings and year end close
Maintain vendor and customer records and resolve billing issues
Ensure basic internal controls such as separation of duties and approval trails

Top Skills for Success

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Confidentiality

General Ledger Accounting

Bank Reconciliation

Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable

Month End Close

Financial Reporting

Payroll Processing

Excel

QuickBooks Online

Accounting Controls

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Bookkeeper

Accounting Specialist

Staff Accountant Accounting Manager Controller

Transition Opportunities

Payroll Manager

Accounts Payable Manager

Accounts Receivable Manager

Financial Analyst

Tax Associate

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Month End Close OwnershipAccrual AccountingFinancial Statement ReviewCash Flow ForecastingAccounting ControlsSales Tax TrackingCleanup BookkeepingProcess Documentation

Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable month end checklist, practice accrual and adjusting entries, and learn to review financial statements for reasonableness. Strengthen Excel skills for reconciliations and reporting, and create clear written procedures so work can be reviewed and handed off smoothly.

Market Intelligence Report

Full Charge Bookkeeper is part of the Accounting category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 45,000 to 60,000

Mid LevelUSD 60,000 to 80,000

Senior LevelUSD 80,000 to 100,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, driven by small business growth, ongoing compliance needs, and companies seeking accurate cash flow visibility. Hiring is strongest for candidates who can own the month end process and produce reliable reports.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Small and mid sized businessesAccounting and bookkeeping firmsProperty management companiesConstruction contractorsMedical and dental practicesLaw firmsNonprofit organizationsRetail and ecommerce companiesHospitality groups

Industry Sectors

Professional servicesReal estateConstructionHealthcareNonprofitRetailHospitalityManufacturingTechnology startups

Recommended Next Steps

Assess your current scope against full charge responsibilities and identify gaps

Earn a recognized bookkeeping credential to validate skills

Deepen proficiency in a major accounting system such as QuickBooks Online

Create sample deliverables such as a reconciliation set and a month end close checklist

Practice producing profit and loss and balance sheet reports and explaining key changes

Improve Excel capability in pivots, lookups, and error checking

Ask for ownership of month end close tasks or take on a cleanup project

Update your resume to highlight outcomes such as faster close, fewer errors, and improved collections