What is bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping involves keeping accurate, up-to-date, and detailed records of a business’s financial transactions.
A bookkeepers responsibilities will often include:
- Financial recordkeeping: Processing invoices, receipts, payments, and bank reconciliation.
- Tax compliance: Filing taxes (including VAT returns) and preparing invoices for the Inland Revenue.
- Reporting: Creating monthly and end-of-year reports, as well as cash flow statements.
- Payroll: Managing payroll and balancing accounts.
- Financial administration: Handling paperwork, training, and liaising with relevant parties.
You’ll be invaluable to your clients’ businesses, producing reports that provide insight into the company's performance and health. With the help of your financial records, businesses can measure performance, identify issues, and make informed financial decisions.
In your role as a bookkeeper, you’ll not only record the financial transactions of an organisation, but also perform day-to-day tasks like processing payroll, paying bills and recording invoices.
This differs from accounting which handles longer-term reporting and forecasting, but both roles are equally as essential to any modern business.
Our bookkeeping courses
Whether you’re considering a career-change into the world of finance, or you’re an experienced bookkeeper looking to sharpen your skills, our range of courses offer exactly what you need to take that next step.
Our courses stretch from Level 1 awards that ease you into the basics, all the way up to advanced Level 3 certificates. Our range also includes bundled packages where you can save by combining disciplines (e.g. Bookkeeping and Payroll) or certification levels.
With our adaptable study options, you have the total freedom of flexible learning; choose between online materials or paper-based study packs and say goodbye to the hassle of commuting!
Our courses are carefully crafted to offer a structured and progressive learning experience. You'll gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills in fundamental areas such as:
- Principles of bookkeeping
- Preparing reconciliations
- Recording transactions in a sub-divided bookkeeping system
- Financial services and payment methods
- Reconciling and producing a VAT return
- Calculating and posting adjustments to accounts
Key benefits
Our bookkeeping courses go beyond basic number-crunching. They equip you with the skills, confidence, and credentials to be an excellent bookkeeper. Here's how we set you up for success and what makes our courses stand out:
Flexible learning: Our courses are designed to adapt to your schedule. You can learn at your own pace from anywhere, at any time, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with your personal and professional life.
Expert tutor support: Benefit from unlimited 1-1 tutor support from subject specialists in the bookkeeping field.
Industry-recognised qualifications: Our courses are accredited by globally-recognised, respected bodies in the field of finance and bookkeeping:
- ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers): The largest bookkeeping body in the world, with over 150,000 students and members.
- IAB (International Association of Bookkeepers): A professional association and awarding body, offering accredited qualifications in bookkeeping, payroll, and finance.
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): The world's leading professional membership body for over 130,000 accounting professionals, offering internationally-recognised qualifications that are acknowledged by chartered and certified accountancy bodies in the UK and beyond.
Having one of these esteemed qualifications will significantly boost your finance career and open doors. As part of our programme, you’ll also gain access to expert careers and CV advice, to ensure you’re well-positioned to capitalise on these qualifications.
Support and resources
At Open Study College, you’re part of a supportive community. Our dedicated tutors are always available to guide you through every step of your course. They will be on hand to provide encouragement and answer any questions, no matter how small. Your tutor will be at the end of an email at all times.
Another way that we help our learners achieve their goals is through offering a free CV critique service. We’ve partnered with a specialist to provide expert advice on your CV that will help you stand out and set you in the best stead to achieve a role in bookkeeping.
Our careers experts have also compiled thorough guides to help you navigate your career journey, and understand the necessary skills and qualifications required for specific roles. Read our guide on how to get into bookkeeping here.