Bookkeeper (Boekhouder)
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An bookkeeper is specialized in taking care of the accounting for companies and individuals. In addition, the bookkeeper has an important role in advising entrepreneurs and private individuals. Think, for example, of giving advice on possible deductions, investments or advice on possible expansions. An bookkeeper is therefore usually not only an bookkeeper, but also an advisor in the financial field and taxes. Most entrepreneurs and private individuals regularly call or email their bookkeeper if they have certain questions. These questions do not only have to relate to accounting questions, because bookkeepers are also an important support for entrepreneurs and private individuals in other ways. In many cases, the bookkeeper is also an important intermediary for entrepreneurs and private individuals. Think of questions from or to the tax authorities about the tax return. An bookkeeper usually has several companies and individuals for whom he or she takes care of the accounting. A bookkeeper is not automatically an accountant, which is what some people often think. It is also the entrepreneur or private individual, who is responsible for the accounting, despite the fact that an bookkeeper is working for the entrepreneur or private individual. A good bookkeeper is actually indispensable for entrepreneurs and individuals, because it can prevent mistakes or problems. Consulting with the bookkeeper once or twice a year is also something that is very useful for entrepreneurs. On the basis of the documents, the bookkeeper can consult with the entrepreneur where he or she can possibly make adjustments to make the company function better. There are many bookkeepers in the Netherlands, who can also take care of the accounting for independent entrepreneurs.
A good bookkeeper is important for entrepreneurs and private individuals to prevent problems with, for example, the tax authorities. It is all too common for entrepreneurs or private individuals to go wrong with accounting, which in extreme cases can lead to bankruptcy. As an entrepreneur, you can contact the bookkeeper for the VAT return, annual accounts, tax return and payroll administration. The bookkeeper can also give tips about the progress of the company. An bookkeeper can therefore not only help entrepreneurs with his financial documents, but also give advice and advice if the entrepreneur does not know something. Especially with starting entrepreneurs, there are often questions about accounting, such as what can I deduct and what not. An bookkeeper helps with this, and indicates if he thinks that certain things should be different. Giving advice on certain investments is also part of the bookkeeper's duties. To get a good accounting, a good bookkeeper is indispensable for entrepreneurs. Even with complex issues, the bookkeeper can play a role for the entrepreneur, so that no problems arise.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOOKKEEPER AND ACCOUNTANT
The difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant is that the bookkeeper only collects the items that are supplied by the entrepreneur, and then assembles them. This does not mean that the bookkeeper may not say anything to the entrepreneur if he or she encounters errors in the accounting. The accounting must be correct. However, the bookkeeper does not issue a statement regarding the reliability of the entrepreneur, as an accountant does. Institutions and other companies subject to auditing are even obliged to have an auditor's report drawn up. The title of accountant is therefore protected by law. The profession of bookkeeper has no further legal protection. Having an auditor's report drawn up by an bookkeeper is considerably more expensive than engaging an bookkeeper. This is the case, because drawing up an auditor's report is much more work than just taking care of the accounting. An bookkeeper may, however, issue statements. Obviously, an bookkeeper has more to do with large companies. Large companies usually have to deal with double-entry accounting. Self-employed and freelancers usually fall under the heading of simplified accounting. The profession of bookkeeper is in most cases an appeal at MBO level.
ACCOUNTING FOR COMPANIES
bookkeepers have a lot to do with self-employed people and SMEs, who do not have the time and / or desire for their accounting. Which accounting activities an bookkeeper will take care of exactly can differ per entrepreneur. In all cases, the accounting work does have to do with finances, such as mileage registration, VAT return, annual accounts or the processing of the purchase and sales invoices. Most entrepreneurs outsource this type of work to an bookkeeper, because in most cases entrepreneurs do not have all the knowledge themselves. As described earlier, bookkeepers should also be seen as important advisors for entrepreneurs. Think, for example, of an bookkeeper who will pass on all the advantages and disadvantages of a lease car for the entrepreneur. In addition, an bookkeeper can help entrepreneurs calculate the average accounting profitability when it comes to investments. In that respect, an bookkeeper can also be seen as a business economist, business advisor and tax advisor.
ACCOUNTING
An bookkeeper is usually involved in the financial administration of entrepreneurs. Think of checking all outgoing invoices, the VAT return and other financial data. Many entrepreneurs also use an bookkeeper for the annual figures. Everything in the accounting field relates to the financial data of a company. In addition, most bookkeepers also give advice to small entrepreneurs. An experienced bookkeeper usually has a lot of knowledge and experience and can therefore give good advice. An bookkeeper does all this at a fixed price or for an hourly fee.
Within the Netherlands, everyone can call themselves an bookkeeper. There is therefore no question of professional protection. As a result, the number of bookkeepers can be called large. Those who are not strong in accounting themselves can also consider purchasing an accounting package. An online accounting package makes accounting a lot easier. This can also be done in collaboration with an online bookkeeper.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF AN BOOKKEEPER ARE:
- Advising entrepreneurs and private individuals
- Keeping the stock administration
- Preparation of annual accounts
- Consultation with the tax authorities
- Taking care of the VAT return
- Taking care of the debtor and creditor administration
- Processing purchase and sales invoices
- Taking care of the payroll administration
- Taking care of the trip administration
WHAT DOES AN BOOKKEEPER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME AN BOOKKEEPER
Those who want to work as an bookkeeper can choose from various training opportunities that prepare you for the profession of bookkeeper. Incidentally, the profession of bookkeeper is not a protected title, so anyone can call himself an bookkeeper. The profession of bookkeeper is a profession at MBO or HBO level. The MBO programme that best suits the profession is the MBO training assistant bookkeeper at level four. During the MBO programme, you will learn, among other things, how to take care of the bookkeeping and to close the accounts at the end of the month, quarter and year. In addition, you draw up their tax returns for the customers. During the MBO programme, you will usually spend half the time at school and the other half do an internship in practice. Those who want to learn even further after the MBO programme can choose to follow the HBO programme SPD business administration. Incidentally, most employers would like to see book parents with the practical diploma in accounting PDB. There is also a basic knowledge of calculation training. This usually relates to a home course. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course.
COMPANIES WHERE AN BOOKKEEPER CAN BE EMPLOYED
An bookkeeper will generally work for an administration office and/or bookkeeper's office. In addition, an bookkeeper can work as an entrepreneur within his own administration office. There are quite a lot of bookkeepers working as independent entrepreneurs. As an bookkeeper, you can actually work anywhere, because companies, organizations and institutions all have to deal with business administration. It is therefore perfectly conceivable that an bookkeeper works internally for companies that have a lot to do with business administration. In that case, an bookkeeper can in many cases also be regarded as a invoicer and controller. In that case, the general name administrative assistant may also apply. In addition, accounting can also work online.
COMPETENCES BOOKKEEPER
The most important competence of an bookkeeper is the professional knowledge of accounting and business administration. In addition, an bookkeeper must be accurate and be able to analyze data in a good way. As an bookkeeper, it is also important that you are communicatively and commercially well-versed, because you have to deal with a lot of different customers and external parties. But a good bookkeeper is also aware of all the tax rules or will look it up if necessary. The business world has to deal with many rules that you as an bookkeeper must have knowledge of. As an bookkeeper, it is also important to stay informed by taking courses or training, as rules and laws change regularly. Generally important words are stress resistance, integrity, cooperation, independence, sense of responsibility, research skills, information, precision and solution orientation. If you work as an entrepreneur, networking can also be regarded as an important competence.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS AN BOOKKEEPER
The job market perspective of an bookkeeper is generally fairly good if you have the right training. In addition, bookkeepers can work in different ways in practice. In other words, a good bookkeeper will not easily be out of work. It is not the case that an bookkeeper only works for administrative offices, because bookkeepers can also work within the business world. Think, for example, of large small and medium-sized businesses that have to deal with a lot of administration. The career opportunities of an bookkeeper cannot simply be indicated, because this depends entirely on the type of employer, work experience and your own competencies. Within the business world, for example, you can grow into a head of administration or financial manager. Of course, starting your own administration office as an bookkeeper can also be seen as growing within your own career.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY BOOKKEEPER
There are no employment conditions to indicate for this profession, because you can work for different employers. As an independent entrepreneur, you naturally determine your own terms of employment. An bookkeeper in paid employment with a bachelor's degree will usually earn a salary between 2500 and 4000 euros gross per month, depending on your age and responsibilities. With only an MBO education, the salary will be a lot lower. An bookkeeper who works as a self-employed entrepreneur usually uses an hourly rate for his customers.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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