The act of daily documenting your company’s financial transactions into arranged accounts is known as bookkeeping. It may also refer to the many recording methods that companies may employ. For several reasons, bookkeeping is a crucial step in the accounting process. For example, the income statement summarizes economic activity for a specific period and determines the company’s net profit or loss. Professionals in bookkeeping Columbia SC maintain the statements and accurate books on accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and daily financial entries and reconciliations to oversee a company’s financial data and compliance.
Financial Statements
Financial statements are classified into three types: balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. These are essential documents for any business to read, as they will help you understand what your business is doing well and where it needs improvement. After you have an understanding of the basics of bookkeeping, you can start working on developing your financial statements.
Payroll
Payroll bookkeeping involves recording all transactions related to payroll, including the distribution of employee paychecks, deductions, and the employer’s share of health insurance and retirement contributions. Therefore, it is essential to record all payroll-specific information, including assumptions, and other documents, during the hiring process.
Inventory
An inventory system helps businesses keep track of all the products they have on hand. By properly managing inventory levels, companies can achieve their sales goals. In addition, by adequately planning inventory flow, businesses can minimize their storage expenses. The following are some of the benefits of an inventory system.
Double-entry Method
The double-entry method of bookkeeping is an accounting technique used to record transactions. The accounts are linked together using a simple formula. Each transaction is made, and a value is added to or subtracted from each account. For example, a cafe owner spends $450 on coffee beans in a typical transaction. With the double-entry method, the coffee beans decrease the Cash account and increase the Supplies account. These two accounts are part of the business’s Assets category. The average balance of each account is a debit entry. A credit entry will decrease that debit balance.
The journal records transactions before they are recorded in the ledger. This is sometimes referred to as the book of original entries. The entry contains:
- A description of the transaction.
- The date of the transaction.
- The accounts affected by the trade.
In double-entry bookkeeping, an entry is made to each account, indicating the debiting or crediting account and the reason behind the entrance. These entries are then categorized and recorded as journal entries.
Earning Potential
The field of bookkeeping is highly diverse, spanning various industries and sectors. It requires a lot of attention to detail, in-depth analysis, and a keen sense of planning. As a result, earning potential is decent, and the career path can begin at any stage, depending on your individual preferences. Earning potential is good, and there are few academic requirements, making it a perfect fit for people who don’t necessarily like the office atmosphere.
Bookkeepers earn roughly the same amount as accountants at entry-level salaries, but their potential earnings increase as their field years grow. With a strong background in accounting and a passion for numbers, bookkeepers can easily transition into accounting, which has greater earning potential.
Job Duties
A bookkeeper’s job description should stress the importance of integrity and honesty. In addition to keeping accurate records of financial transactions, bookkeepers also track purchasing, prepare invoices, and process payroll and overdue accounts. These individuals must be able to trust each other with confidential financial information, as they will be handling cash, checks, and payroll. Their job duties will vary according to the company’s nature, but some will even formulate business strategies.
A person in this field must be organized and highly detail-oriented. They must have excellent communication skills and be accurate in their work. Using accounting software is also essential. Moreover, they should know how to prepare financial statements and manage business inventories. Ultimately, bookkeepers work in a team with other staff to ensure everything is done accurately.
