Free bookkeeper job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Bookkeeper job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Bookkeeper
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Bookkeeper who keeps the books accurate by recording transactions, reconciling accounts and producing clean reports. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Use bookkeeping software, spreadsheets and databases
- Enter financial transactions into [QuickBooks or other software]
- Receive and record cash, checks and vouchers
- Assign costs and income to the right accounts
- Produce reports such as balance sheets and income statements
- Check figures, postings and reports for accuracy
- Reconcile records and report any differences
What you need
- High school diploma and some college coursework in accounting [or equivalent experience]
- Experience with [QuickBooks or other software]
- Accuracy with numbers and deadlines
- Discretion with financial information
Nice to have
- Professional bookkeeping certification
- Experience with payroll and sales tax
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Maple Street Dental, a two-dentist practice.
Maple Street Dental is hiring a part-time Bookkeeper (about 20 hours a week, flexible days). You'll enter deposits and bills in QuickBooks, reconcile the bank accounts monthly and prepare the reports our outside accountant needs. You'll report to the office manager.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper keeps the books accurate by recording transactions, reconciling accounts and producing clean reports. Typical duties include:
- Use bookkeeping software, spreadsheets and databases
- Enter financial transactions into QuickBooks or other software
- Receive and record cash, checks and vouchers
- Assign costs and income to the right accounts
- Produce reports such as balance sheets and income statements
- Check figures, postings and reports for accuracy
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
Employers generally prefer candidates with a high school diploma plus college courses in subjects like accounting. Certification is not usually required, although some bookkeepers pursue it to show competency.
Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training, working alongside an experienced clerk.
How much does a bookkeeper make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records and organizes the day-to-day financial transactions. An accountant analyzes the records, prepares tax returns and statements, and advises on financial decisions. Many small businesses use a part-time bookkeeper for the daily work and an outside accountant for taxes and review.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.