As a small business owner, you’ve likely experienced the challenge of managing your company’s finances while simultaneously trying to grow your business. The reality is that as your business expands, so do your bookkeeping needs. This is where full-charge bookkeeping comes into play – a comprehensive financial management solution that could be exactly what your growing business needs.

At Aiming High Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how proper financial management can transform a business from constantly putting out fires to strategic growth. That’s why we’ve created this definitive guide to full-charge bookkeeping, covering everything from its definition and responsibilities to when it might be the right choice for your business.

What Is Full-Charge Bookkeeping?

Full-charge bookkeeping encompasses everything that regular bookkeeping does, plus additional responsibilities that typically fall under the accounting umbrella. The “full charge” designation indicates that the bookkeeper manages all of the business’s accounting needs, essentially serving in a dual role that bridges the gap between basic bookkeeping and accounting.

A full-charge bookkeeper performs a comprehensive range of financial duties for an organization, most commonly within small to medium-sized businesses. Unlike a regular bookkeeper who might focus solely on transaction recording and basic financial tasks, a full-charge bookkeeper takes on greater financial responsibility and typically reports directly to upper management, such as the business owner or president.

The Comprehensive Full-Charge Bookkeeper Job Description

Understanding what falls under a full-charge bookkeeper’s responsibilities can help you determine if this role is what your business needs. The job description of a full-charge bookkeeper typically includes:

Core Financial Management

• Recording all financial transactions
• Managing accounts receivable and accounts payable
• Monitoring cash flow and reconciling bank accounts
• Creating and maintaining journal entries for all accounts
• Maintaining an accurate general ledger and making adjustments as needed
• Reconciling cash, bank accounts, and revenues

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Creating and analyzing financial statements
• Preparing regular financial reports for management
• Collecting information for auditing purposes
• Tracking financial performance indicators

Tax and Compliance

• Payroll tax preparation
• Preparing income tax documentation
• Managing sales tax requirements
• Preparing quarterly and annual tax returns
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards

Operational Financial Tasks

• Issuing invoices to customers
• Processing payments to vendors
• Preparing bank deposits
• Processing employees’ timesheets
• Managing payroll and remitting payroll taxes

Management Responsibilities

• Supervising accounting staff, such as payroll clerks or billing clerks
• Coordinating with outside financial experts like CPAs
• Working directly with upper management or company ownership

This extensive list of duties demonstrates why full-charge bookkeepers are so valuable to growing businesses. They essentially function as a one-person accounting department, handling everything from day-to-day transaction recording to higher-level financial management tasks.

Full-Charge Bookkeeper vs. Regular Bookkeeper: Understanding the Differences

To better grasp what makes full-charge bookkeeping unique, it’s helpful to compare it with regular bookkeeping services. Here are the key differences:

Definition and Scope

• Regular Bookkeeper: An in-house bookkeeper is typically an internal employee who performs basic bookkeeping activities. They focus primarily on recording financial transactions and maintaining financial records.
• Full-Charge Bookkeeper: This role encompasses full responsibility for an organization’s accounting tasks. It represents a more advanced position than regular bookkeeping due to its additional responsibilities and broader scope.

Responsibilities

• Regular Bookkeeper: Primarily records incoming and outgoing financial transactions, creates basic financial reports, processes standard payroll, and manages routine invoices.
• Full-Charge Bookkeeper: Performs all regular bookkeeping tasks while also taking on activities typically conducted by accountants or controllers in larger organizations. This includes preparing and analyzing financial statements, creating management reports, and often supervising accounting staff.

Reporting Structure

• Regular Bookkeeper: Usually works within an accounting team and reports to an accountant, controller, or finance manager.
• Full-Charge Bookkeeper: Typically reports directly to upper management or the business owner and may work independently as the primary financial professional in the organization.

Education and Requirements

• Regular Bookkeeper: The minimum requirement is generally a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers hire candidates with no prior bookkeeping experience and provide on-the-job training.
• Full-Charge Bookkeeper: While the technical minimum requirement remains a high school diploma, employers often prefer candidates with at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Due to the higher level of responsibility, more years of experience and deeper finance and accounting knowledge are typically expected.

Salaries

• Regular Bookkeeper: The national average salary is approximately $18.30 per hour.
• Full-Charge Bookkeeper: The national average salary is higher at $20.57 per hour, with some positions paying as much as $30.27 per hour, reflecting the increased responsibilities and required expertise.

What Is the Difference Between a Full-Charge Bookkeeper and an Accountant?

While full-charge bookkeepers take on some accounting responsibilities, they’re still distinct from certified public accountants (CPAs). Here’s how they differ:

• Certification and Education: A full-charge bookkeeper is not a certified public accountant. While bookkeepers can obtain professional certifications, accountants typically hold bachelor’s degrees in accounting or finance at minimum and often possess CPA certification.
• Scope of Work: Full-charge bookkeepers can help prepare financial statements and tax returns, which the employer might then submit to a CPA for review or audit. However, they usually don’t provide comprehensive tax planning advice or act as financial advisors.
• Analysis and Strategy: Accountants typically focus more on analyzing financial information and providing strategic guidance, while full-charge bookkeepers, despite their expanded role, concentrate primarily on maintaining accurate financial records and preparing standard reports.
• Regulatory Requirements: Certain financial documents and audits legally require the involvement of a CPA, which is beyond the scope of even a full-charge bookkeeper’s role.

Benefits of Hiring a Full-Charge Bookkeeper

For growing businesses, a full-charge bookkeeper can offer significant advantages:

Cost-Effectiveness

Since a full-charge bookkeeper covers two positions in one – handling both bookkeeping and some accounting functions – it can be more economical than hiring separate professionals, especially for mid-sized businesses that don’t require a full-time accountant or controller.

Streamlined Financial Management

Having one person manage most of your financial processes creates efficiency and consistency. Rather than coordinating between multiple financial professionals, you have a single point of contact for your business’s financial matters.

Comprehensive Financial Accuracy

With years of experience and broader skills than entry-level bookkeepers, full-charge bookkeepers ensure your financial records are meticulously maintained. This precision becomes particularly valuable during tax season or when applying for business loans.

Focus on Business Growth

Delegating comprehensive financial management to a skilled professional allows you as a business owner to concentrate on what you do best – running and growing your business. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your finances are in capable hands is invaluable.

Scalable Financial Support

As your business grows, a full-charge bookkeeper can adapt to your changing needs and increasing transaction volume before you might need to transition to a full accounting department.

Required Skills for Full-Charge Bookkeepers

To perform successfully in this role, full-charge bookkeepers need a specific set of skills:

Technical Knowledge

• Thorough understanding of accounting and bookkeeping principles
• Familiarity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Proficiency with accounting and bookkeeping software
• Knowledge of relevant tax regulations and compliance requirements

Professional Skills

• Strong attention to detail for maintaining accuracy
• Excellent organizational abilities to manage multiple financial tasks
• Advanced computer proficiency with spreadsheets and accounting programs
• Critical thinking skills for identifying and resolving financial discrepancies

Interpersonal Abilities

• Effective communication skills for explaining financial concepts to non-financial staff
• Integrity and discretion when handling sensitive financial information
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating with management
• Leadership capabilities if supervising accounting staff

Educational and Certification Requirements

While there are no mandatory educational requirements for becoming a full-charge bookkeeper, certain qualifications can enhance a professional’s credentials:

Education

Most full-charge bookkeepers have at least some post-secondary education, often an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration. These programs typically include coursework in tax preparation, auditing, accounting procedures, economics, business law, and business mathematics.

Certification Options

Two primary organizations offer certification for bookkeepers:

• The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), which provides the Certified Bookkeeper license
• The National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB), offering the Certified Public Bookkeeper license

While certification isn’t always required, it demonstrates a bookkeeper’s commitment to professional standards and competence. Many full-charge bookkeepers start as regular bookkeepers, gain experience, complete advanced accounting software training, and progress to the full-charge role through demonstrated expertise.

The Work Environment for Full-Charge Bookkeepers

Full-charge bookkeepers typically work in office settings, although remote work arrangements are becoming increasingly common. The standard schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, but hours may increase during busy financial periods like tax season or at the end of the fiscal year.

These professionals may be employed directly by a single company or work independently with multiple clients. The latter arrangement is particularly common for small businesses that need advanced financial management but don’t require a full-time financial professional.

When to Hire a Full-Charge Bookkeeper

Knowing when to transition from basic bookkeeping to full-charge services is crucial for business growth. Consider making this move when:

• Your business has grown beyond the startup phase and has a steady volume of financial transactions
• You’re spending too much time managing financial matters instead of focusing on business growth
• Your financial needs have become more complex, requiring more advanced reporting and analysis
• You need someone to manage both day-to-day transactions and provide financial insights
• You want more comprehensive financial guidance, but aren’t ready to hire a full-time accountant or controller
• Your business is experiencing cashflow problems or financial inefficiencies that need specialized attention

The right timing often coincides with business growth. As your company expands and its finances become more complex, investing in full-charge bookkeeping services can provide the financial foundation needed for continued success.

How Aiming High Solutions Can Help

At Aiming High Solutions, we understand that clarity and stability aren’t just nice to have—they’re necessary for both business success and personal peace of mind. Our full-charge bookkeeping services are designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses in Fort Worth that need comprehensive financial management without the expense of a full accounting department.

Our Peace of Mind System ensures that your financial processes are efficient, accurate, and aligned with your business goals. We don’t just record transactions—we provide insights that help you make informed decisions about your business’s financial future.

Whether you need help cleaning up existing books, implementing QuickBooks effectively, or want the strategic guidance of our Fractional CFO services, our team treats your business like our own. We’re committed to accuracy, integrity, and growth-oriented service that empowers you to focus on building your business legacy.

Conclusion: Is Full-Charge Bookkeeping Right for Your Business?

Full-charge bookkeeping offers a balanced solution for growing businesses that need more than basic transaction recording but aren’t ready for a complete accounting department. With responsibilities spanning from daily bookkeeping tasks to financial statement preparation and analysis, full-charge bookkeepers provide comprehensive financial management that can help take your business to the next level.

The decision to invest in full-charge bookkeeping services should be based on your business’s current size, complexity, and growth trajectory. While it represents a greater investment than basic bookkeeping, the returns in terms of financial accuracy, insight, and peace of mind often make it worthwhile for established small to medium-sized businesses.

Remember that proper financial management isn’t just about keeping records—it’s about creating a solid foundation for sustainable business growth. By ensuring your financial house is in order, you’re free to focus on what you do best: running and growing your business.

For more information about how full-charge bookkeeping services can benefit your specific business, contact Aiming High Solutions today. We’re committed to helping Fort Worth business owners achieve clarity, confidence, and control over their financial future.