WHAT IS A BOOKKEEPER ?

Reviewed by Lam Nguyen under Editorial Standards

Reporting to the CFO, the Bookkeeper will be part of a fast paced and dynamic finance team and will directly assist the team in all aspects of finance. This is a broad position that will see you manage all bookkeeping including general ledger maintenance, bank and balance sheet reconciliations, maintaining end-to-end payables and receivables including overseas payments, preparing monthly balance sheet and P&L along with intercompany transaction reconciliations. This is a hands-on role which will require you to build strong relationships across departments to ensure continued success and engagement.

Need-to-Know Overview of a Bookkeeper

1. Roles and Responsibilities of Bookkeeper

  • Full-function Accounts Payable - including matching, coding, checking prices, variations and ensuring authorisations are received.
  • Ensure all expenses have supporting documentation and business approval
  • Processing daily supplier invoices, payments, reconciliations and filing
  • Manage and process all expense claims
  • Weekly and monthly reconciliation of supplier statements.
  • Liaising with internal and external, local and international suppliers to address queries and follow up invoices to be authorised
  • Performing foreign exchange and multi-currency payments
  • Providing accounts receivable support including liaising with customers for outstanding payments and raising customer invoices and credits
  • General ledger maintenance including managing and reconciling intercompany loans/payables in multi currencies
  • Participating in month-end processes around accruals, debtors and creditors, including general ledger reconciliations
  • Prepare Xero / Microsoft Dynamics manual month end journals ensuring accuracy

2. Requirements and Qualifications of Bookkeeper

  • At least 3 years recent experience in a Bookkeeping position ideally within the FMCG or manufacturing industry
  • A proven work history across hands-on accounts payable and receivables
  • High attention to detail with well-developed proofreading, quick and accurate data processing skills
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Work to deadlines with the ability to prioritise workloads effectively
  • Strong knowledge of Xero, Microsoft Dynamics or Equivalent
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to learn and extend the role above and beyond

Career Overview FAQs

What does a career overview explain?

A career overview explains what a profession involves, including the purpose of the role, the type of work professionals typically perform, and how the position contributes to organizations or industries. It helps readers understand the field before exploring more detailed resources such as job responsibilities, required skills, and career requirements.

What do professionals in this career typically do?

Professionals in this field usually manage projects or tasks, collaborate with teams, analyze information, and solve problems related to business or organizational objectives. Daily responsibilities may vary depending on experience level, specialization, and the organization where the role is performed.

What skills are commonly required for this career?

Most careers require a combination of technical skills related to the profession and professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and analytical thinking. These abilities help professionals perform effectively in different work environments and across various organizational roles.

What is the typical career path in this field?

Many professionals begin in entry-level roles where they gain foundational knowledge and practical experience. Over time, they may progress to mid-level or senior positions that involve greater responsibility, specialization, or leadership within their organization or industry.

How can someone start a career in this field?

Starting a career in this field typically involves building relevant knowledge, gaining practical experience, and developing the key skills associated with the profession. Preparing strong application materials, such as a targeted resume and cover letter, can also help candidates pursue entry-level opportunities successfully.

Editorial Process

Lamwork content is developed through structured review of publicly available job postings and documented hiring trends.

Editorial operations are managed by Thanh Huyen, Managing Editor, with research direction and final oversight by Lam Nguyen, Founder & Editorial Lead. Content is periodically reviewed to reflect observable labor market changes.