An accounter is a person who provides an account of events according to the dictionary. But most people refer to an accountant when they use the term accounter. Accounters ensure financial records and statements follow applicable laws and regulations. Also, GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) must be considered. Accounters must provide and analyze financial records and resolve discrepancies or any irregularities they find in statements, documents, or transactions. Ignoring or addressing these concerns later can cause financial difficulties.
Who is an Accountant?
An accountant helps a business make crucial financial decisions. They handle financial audits, reconcile bank statements, and ensure financial records are accurate throughout the year. Accountants know how to manage all financial transactions, such as fixed payments and variable expenses (bank deposits and budgets). Accountants are a big part of financial decision-making since they collect, track, and correct the company’s finances. To be a successful accountant, someone should have previous bookkeeping experience and a knack for identifying numerical mistakes.
What Does an Accountant Do?
Accountants usually work for accounting firms or are part of corporations. However, they can also complete freelance work for small businesses and individuals. Accountants have various knowledge of financial practices for performing accounting tasks. They must examine financial statements, monitor company budgets, calculate employee paychecks for each pay period, and review and prepare tax obligations. Accountants are essential to companies since they manage and report the financial data of an organization.
What’s the Difference Between Accountants and Bookkeepers?
Accountants can be considered bookkeepers, but bookkeepers cannot be regarded as accountants without proper certification. Bookkeepers handle day-to-day tasks of recording financial transactions. Their role is more transactional and administrative. Accountants provide business owners with financial insights based on information provided in bookkeeping data, and their role is more subjective. Both roles handle financial transactions and information but use different methods and require specific skills and responsibilities.
Bookkeeping vs. Accounting
Bookkeeping involves maintaining complete records of all money going in and out of a business. Bookkeepers record daily transactions in a simple, consistent way that is easy to follow. Their records allow accountants to do their jobs. On the other hand, accounting requires someone to analyze financial data and provide business owners with important business insights and financial advice based on the available information. Accounting is crucial to the overall success and growth of a company.
Responsibilities for bookkeepers can vary from business to business, but there are very common tasks and duties associated with bookkeeping.
There are various kinds of accountants, so the duties and responsibilities can fluctuate. One accountant may ensure that data-entry processes are correct. At the same time, another sits with high-level executives and provides recommendations on budgetary concerns. But, people will need to complete these tasks in general as an accountant.
Bookkeeping tasks |
Accounting tasks |
| Establishing different accounts | Prepare and ensure the accuracy of business reports (profit and loss statements) |
| Maintaining records of financial transactions by posting and verifying | Guarantee bookkeeping practices adhere to federal, state, and local regulations and laws |
| Defining bookkeeping policies and procedures | Maintain accounting processes |
| Reconciling entries to balance subsidiary accounts | Improve any processes to increase accuracy and consistency |
| Maintaining a balanced ledger | Collaborate with internal or external auditors |
| Preparing financial reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing accounting for information | Handle tax information (including tax returns) |
The Function of Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is the recording phase of the accounting system. It involves documenting business transactions systematically and logically. The main objectives are to maintain complete and accurate records and ascertain the financial effect of recorded transactions on financial statements. Focus is placed on recording financial transactions in the journal, then posting them to ledger accounts along with payroll accounting. Other functions are collecting and producing all source documents, classifying accounts as debit and credit, posting them in relevant ledgers, and recording and classifying accounts as Asset, Liability, Expenses, Incomes, and Equity.
The Function of Accounting
Understanding the function of accounting can help you manage and analyze monetary sources better. All companies use accounting to report, track, execute and predict situations and transactions. The main functions of accounting are to store and analyze financial information and oversee monetary transactions. Accounting ensures funds move into and out of a company as scheduled, tracks expenditures from business operations, and can predict a company’s financial success and future needs. Accountants can use this information to gather financial statements for business professionals and government officials.
The Roles: Bookkeeper vs Accountant
Bookkeepers record and maintain a company’s daily financial transactions. Also, they prepare reports for managers and trial balances to assist accountants. Bookkeepers may also help run payroll, collect debts, generate invoices and make payments. As accountants, they keep and interpret financial records. Most accountants handle a wide range of financial tasks for individual clients for larger businesses or organizations employing them. The daily duties vary by the type of accountant and their involvement in a company, but typical responsibilities are involved with each accounting role. Accountants must ensure the accuracy of documents, evaluate financial operations to recommend best practices, prepare tax returns, and conduct forecasting and risk analysis assessments. Moreover, accountants are legally obligated to act honestly and avoid negligence in their practices. Their clients’ records must also comply with relevant laws and regulations.
Bookkeeper Credentials
Becoming a bookkeeper requires an undergraduate degree since employers usually prefer candidates with college training. However, some employers care more about relevant experience and accounting knowledge, so an educational background is a plus. To earn a degree, get your high school diploma, then enroll in an undergraduate program. An associate degree in bookkeeping or accounting provides the necessary job skills in about two academic years. You can also gain a four-year bachelor’s degree to learn the profession in deeper detail. Afterward, seek out entry-level bookkeeping roles which allow you to perform certain duties. The more experience you get, the more responsibilities you will have.
Accountant Credentials
A certification in finance and accounting is often the gateway to starting a career as an accountant. Accounting certification enables you to have a more successful career. Advanced knowledge in your area can help you be more productive and showcases your motivation, dedication, and commitment to your employer and possible future employers. You can also look forward to earning promotions, raises, and bonuses. However, it takes work to venture into accounting. Lots of time and money are required to earn a certification, so be sure you want to be an accountant before getting deeply involved in the process. After earning a certificate, get as much entry-level job experience as possible to progress in your field.
Accounter of NumberSquad
An accounter is the expert tax preparation and bookkeeping services for small businesses. An accounter is branded by NumberSquad to differentiate its small business tax and bookkeeping services. NumberSquad’s accounter services are exclusively tailored to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and self-employers. The accounter plays a crucial role in the company since they monitor the inflow and outflow of money. They also ensure financial transactions are legal and correct and work closely with bookkeepers to develop and enhance financial statements.
