What is a Full Charge Bookkeeper?
Financial management is an important aspect in the world of small- and mid-sized businesses. Whereas most companies hire a bookkeeper or an accountant, a full charge bookkeeper is sought in other cases as a more holistic approach. But what exactly does that mean?
This article will define what a full charge bookkeeper is, how they are different from other financial professionals, and why so many businesses use them.
Definition of a Full Charge Bookkeeper
A full charge bookkeeper is a bookkeeping professional who assumes full responsibility of the accounting cycle of a company, from the simple data entry to the preparation of financial statements. When they are in complete control of the books of the company, this is what is termed as full charge.
In contrast to a regular bookkeeper, who might simply oversee day-to-day transactions, a full charge bookkeeper is normally in charge of all the accounting operations, and might even manage other accounting personnel.
Key Responsibilities
Full charge bookkeepers have a large range of duties that extend beyond the normal bookkeeping duties.
Here are some of their main responsibilities:
Managing the General Ledger
All business transactions are recorded into the general ledger and all are well-categorized.
Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
They manage the outgoing (bills and vendor invoices) and incoming (customer invoices and collections) payments.
Payroll Processing
Payroll is frequently dealt with by full charge bookkeepers who are involved in computing hours, taxes, and deductions as well as ensuring that employees are paid on time.
Bank Reconciliations
They compare bank statements with the internal records to ensure that they are accurate and all are in balance.
Preparing Financial Statements
They prepare income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements and even in some cases, help in budgeting and forecasting.
Working with CPAs
Full charge bookkeepers are in the same category as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in terms of giving precise financial information during tax season or during audits.
Full Charge Bookkeeper vs Regular Bookkeeper
Although the two positions are similar in that they both deal with keeping financial records, there are a few significant differences:
| Feature | Regular Bookkeeper | Full Charge Bookkeeper |
| Scope of Work | Basic recordkeeping | Full accounting cycle |
| Payroll | Sometimes | Often responsible |
| Financial Statements | Rarely prepares | Regularly prepares |
| CPA Interaction | Minimal | Frequent |
| Supervisory Role | None | May oversee others |
A simple bookkeeper is excellent at standard work, but when your business is expanding and you require someone to oversee all accounting procedures, a full charge bookkeeper is generally a preferable option.
Skills and Qualifications
A full charge bookkeeper must have a balanced skill set in order to thrive.
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage
- Strong understanding of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
- Advanced Excel skills
- Payroll processing experience
Soft Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Communication skills (particularly when dealing with vendors, clients, or a CPA)
Education and Certification:
Although a college education is not necessarily required, a large number of full charge bookkeepers possess Associate or Bachelor’s degrees in accounting or a related discipline.
Some also earn certifications like:
- American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) Certified Bookkeeper (CB)
- Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Where They Work
Full charge bookkeepers are usually found in small- to medium-sized companies, particularly those that lack a full in-house accounting department.
Industries where they are often employed include:
- Retail
- Construction
- Professional services (like law firms or marketing agencies)
- Healthcare practices
- Non-profits
Others are also freelancers or independent contractors.
Why Businesses Hire Full Charge Bookkeepers
A business may decide to hire a full charge bookkeeper rather than a bookkeeper or a CPA for several reasons.
Cost-Effective
It is costly to employ a CPA to do the day-to-day financial work. Most of the tasks can be performed by a full charge bookkeeper at a less expensive rate.
All-in-One Role
They provide a unified service in financial management: transactions, reports, payroll, and so on.
Scalability
When a business expands, the financial aspects of the business increase. A full charge bookkeeper can accommodate and expand with the business.
Support for Tax Preparation
Full charge bookkeepers assist in making sure there is nothing out of place to the CPA or tax preparer, and this makes the tax season much easier by limiting the chance of making mistakes.
Salary and Job Outlook
The median pay of a full charge bookkeeper in the U.S. is between $50,000 and $70,000 a year in 2025 (depending on location, experience, and industry). Salaries may be well over $75,000 in big cities or other high-demand industries.
The need for qualified financial personnel will also be high, particularly since small companies will still seek to find budgetary alternatives to handling their books without employing an entire accounting department.
There are also more remote and freelance possibilities; bookkeepers have more flexibility and choices.
