How to Become a Bookkeeper: Qualifications, Skills & Career Routes
Bookkeeping is one of those roles that can transfer across multiple industries and gives you skills that can take you all over the world. But how do I get into this role?
The good news is that there’s a clear path into the role of bookkeeping, and you don’t necessarily have to be a “maths person” or already have finance experience.
What you will need is the right foundation, some practical practice, and a plan you can actually follow.
Here we share how to become a bookkeeper in the UK, step by step. We’ll share what bookkeepers do day-to-day, what qualifications employers need, and the software skills you’ll want to get to know.
Ready to start bookkeeping? Here’s what you need to know.
How to become a bookkeeper: In short
- Learn core bookkeeping skills
- Choose a route (job, apprenticeship, self-employed
- Get a recognised qualification (often AAT or ICB)
- Get confident with software
- Build experience and a simple portfolio
- Understand compliance basics
- Apply for roles or start offering services
What does a bookkeeper do?
A bookkeeper keeps a business’s financial records accurate, organised and up to date. They ensure that everything coming in and going out is recorded, so the business owner (and their accountant) can see what’s happening financially.
The duties will vary, depending on the size of the business. If you're employed or freelance, typical tasks include:
- Recording income and expenses
- Keeping ledgers up to date
- Bank reconciliations
- Chasing and tracking payments
- Handling VAT records and returns
- Maintaining a clear audit trail
- Basic reporting
- Preparing information for an accountant
Bookkeepers may also help with payroll, pension submissions, or ensuring accounting software is set up properly, but this depends on the role and your level of experience.
Bookkeeper vs accountant: What’s the difference?
A bookkeeper focuses on the day-to-day recording and organisation of transactions and keeping accounts up to date throughout the year.
Accounts focus on year-end accounts, tax returns, compliance work and higher-level advice.
There can be some overlap, but strong bookkeeping helps to keep the business running smoothly. If you don’t have accurate records, it’s harder for businesses to get reliable accounts done.
Do you need a qualification to become a bookkeeper?
No, it’s not imperative to have a bookkeeper qualification, and some will start in junior roles and learn on the job. But if you’re starting from scratch, a recognised qualification is one of the quickest ways to build your credibility and confidence.
What qualifications are most common?
You’ll usually see these routes mentioned in relation to bookkeeping:
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): Widely recognised by employers and a strong choice for those who want to go into further accounting roles later on.
- ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers): Focuses specifically on bookkeeping, great for those wanting to work for themselves.
Step-by-step: How to become a bookkeeper?
Becoming a bookkeeper is less about being “good at maths” and more about learning a clear system, building accuracy and gaining confidence with real-world scenarios.
Step 1: Learn what bookkeeping actually involves
Start by understanding the day-to-day tasks you’ll be expected to handle. Knowing this gives you a clear target of what being “job-ready” means.
Step 2: Build the fundamentals
Before you go into anything too complicated, make sure that you understand:
- Double-entry basics: what goes where and why
- Debit vs credit
- How to code transactions correctly
- How to do a bank reconciliation from start to finish
- Common bookkeeping documents: invoices, receipts, and credit notes)
Step 3: Choose your route into the role
There are three common paths you can take for learning how to become a bookkeeper:
Employed route
- Aim for roles such as accounts assistant, finance assistant, purchase ledger clerk, or junior bookkeeper.
- Great for those who want a structured experience and support.
Apprenticeship route
- Earn while you learn, with a structured programme and workplace experience.
- Ideal if you’re leaving school/college or want a formal training route.
Self-employed route
- Best if you want flexibility, but you’ll need confidence in the processes, deadlines, and client communication.
- It might be a good idea to get employed first, then transition to freelance.
Step 4: Get a recognised qualification
You can learn on the job, but qualifications help you stand out and feel confident. Common options in the UK are:
Step 5: Learn how to use bookkeeping software
Modern bookkeeping is software-led. Even entry-level roles often want familiarity with tools. Focus on the following tasks:
- Raising invoices and recording bills
- Uploading receipts and attaching documents
- Reconciling bank feeds
- Running basic reports (profit and loss, aged debtors/creditors?
- Checking VAT settings and VAT reports
Step 6: Build up practical experience
It’s all good learning how to be a bookkeeper, but can you apply it? Experience will help the knowledge stick. Why not try:
- Practising with simple transactions: Create a mini set of accounts to work through
- Help with a family member’s small business
- Volunteer as a treasurer or admin support for a local club or charity
- Apply for entry-level admin roles that include invoicing and bank checks
Step 7: Apply for jobs
If you’re applying for jobs, tailor your CV to show the tasks you can complete.
If you’re going freelance, start small and be specific about what you’ll offer, set clear boundaries, and use an onboarding checklist so you’re both clear on what’s expected.
Step 8: Keep progressing
Bookkeeping is a career you can build. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can grow into:
- VAT specialism
- Payroll
- Management accounts support
- Moving towards accounting qualifications, if you’d like
How long does it take to become a bookkeeper?
Timelines can be different for everyone, depending on how much time you have to study each week, and whether you’re aiming for employment or self-employment. The good news: you don’t need years to get moving.
Realistic timelines
- Career changer fast track
If you’re willing to put in the work for at least a few evenings a week, you can gain the skills needed to build entry-level confidence in around 8-12 weeks.
- Study alongside work/family
If you’re fitting learning around a busy schedule, between three and six months should be enough to feel job-ready.
If you’re completing a qualification, your timeline will depend on how quickly you can study, where you’re starting from and exam scheduling. Expect this route to take up to 12 months.
- Becoming confidently self-employed
This route can take up to 18 months, as you’ll not only be learning bookkeeping skills but also need to be confident in setting up clean systems, client onboarding and communication, handling messy records, and staying on top of deadlines and compliance basics.
What can you earn as a bookkeeper in the UK?
Bookkeeping pay will vary depending on your experience, qualifications, location and the sector you work in. Being employed or self-employed can also make a difference.
Employed salary ranges
Learn how to become a bookkeeper with the Distance Learning Centre
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