Bookkeeping has similar procedures regardless of industry or business type. Related: What Are The Functions and Roles of Accounting Teams? Accounting specializations for bookkeepers and accountantsĪnother difference between bookkeepers and accountants is accountants often specialize in different areas, which can affect their daily duties significantly. Organizing receipts, invoices and reimbursement requests Managing payroll accounts and processing paychecks Verifying that financial records meet federal documentation requirements Preparing and recording all payments and income, including bank deposits The daily duties of a bookkeeper include: Preparing written reports and meeting with the management and clients to explain findingsĮnsuring company financial statements comply with laws and regulationsĪnalyzing expenses and suggesting ways to save money and increase profitsĪssessing financial operations, identifying risks and challenges and making recommendations for best practicesįorecasting the outcome of different financial decisionsĬonsulting for various business operations Other functions of an accountant include:Ĭreating and examining financial statements for accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles Accountants use high-level analysis to advise and create financial models based on different situations. Here are some differences and similarities between bookkeepers and accountants: Common job duties for bookkeepers and accountantsĪccountants and bookkeepers work with distinct elements of finance and have various duties. CPA: How Are They Different? Bookkeepers vs. They look at the different variables that influence financial success and place them within the context of financial rules and laws. People in this role can certify a company's financial status, and their work focuses on analyzing financial records to form strategies and advice based on patterns they notice and a client's financial goals. Read more: What Is Bookkeeping? (Definition and Examples) What is an accountant?Īn accountant is a person who performs accountancy roles, such as keeping, inspecting and analyzing financial records on behalf of individuals and organizations.

Bookkeepers and accountants often work together on the same data set, with bookkeepers gathering the most relevant data and working to make that information accessible to accountants. Bookkeeping involves recording financial transactions, managing business accounts and maintaining accounting systems consistently daily. What is a bookkeeper?Ī bookkeeper is someone who records and maintains financial transactions for an organization, such as accounts receivables, accounts payables and payrolls. In this article, we discuss what bookkeepers and accountants are and show how they differ in areas of specialization, qualifications, skills and salary.

Learning more about these roles and how they compare can help you make a more informed decision during your next job search. Bookkeeping and accounting are often desirable career paths for people interested in working with math and numbers. Bookkeeping and accounting provide companies with information they use to measure their performance and as a benchmark for income and revenue goals when making strategic decisions.

Purpose of bookkeeping and accounting