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What is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?
I am considering a career in bookkeeping, and I am curious to know if a bookkeeper is the same as an #accountant.
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5 answers
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Jordan’s Answer
While knowing the mechanics of bookkeeping is part of an accountant's job, there are several different areas within the accounting profession that you can explore. Forensic accounting (figuring out what went wrong in companies financially), Auditing (providing investors with assurance that their investment's financial statements are fairly presented), and consulting (strategizing on financial transactions for specific clients) are all examples of accounting professions.
Bookkeeping involves more of the day to day transactions of an organization. This is essentially keeping track of a client's financial transactions through computer systems. Bookkeeping can be a good start if you are interested in accounting, but accounting involves more than just numbers. It includes interacting with clients, giving advice, and having a bigger view as to what transactions mean for a specific organization.
Bookkeeping involves more of the day to day transactions of an organization. This is essentially keeping track of a client's financial transactions through computer systems. Bookkeeping can be a good start if you are interested in accounting, but accounting involves more than just numbers. It includes interacting with clients, giving advice, and having a bigger view as to what transactions mean for a specific organization.
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Chris’s Answer
Bookkeeping is true to as it sounds. They are the record keepers of the transactions. Accountants often reconcile those records against the financial records prior to the issuance of financial statement.
With the rapid computerization of financial records, I want to add that bookkeeping isn't something organizations are looking for a person to do anymore as they expect their accounting system to perform these duties.
With the rapid computerization of financial records, I want to add that bookkeeping isn't something organizations are looking for a person to do anymore as they expect their accounting system to perform these duties.
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Kristen’s Answer
Bookkeeping is indeed a part of the wider field of accounting, but they're not entirely identical. The role of a bookkeeper is primarily centered on managing daily financial tasks which include recording and arranging financial information. On the other hand, an accountant adopts a broader perspective, offering comprehensive financial guidance and concentrating on the analysis and display of financial data. Additionally, accountants may specialize in certain areas like auditing, taxation, advisory services, and so on. Moreover, accountants often have greater opportunities for income and knowledge growth compared to bookkeepers.
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Satish’s Answer
Bookkeepers are responsible for the recording of financial transactions whereas accountants are responsible for classifying, analyzing, interpreting, reporting, and summarizing this financial data.
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Stefano’s Answer
From my experience, bookkeepers are employed by accountants. Bookkeepers typically ease an accountant's day-to-day tasks through admin work while the accountant usually plays the larger role of signing legal documents and client interactions.