Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper documents all business transactions, i.e. transactions that affect the assets of the company. Bookkeepers ensure the smooth organization of finance and accounting.
Tasks of a bookkeeper
Depending on the size of the company, bookkeeping includes the following areas of responsibility:
- accounts receivable and accounts payable
The bookkeeper takes care of all incoming and outgoing invoices. - Accounts receivable concerns the customer's business and accounts payable concerns the suppliers.
- payroll accounting
The bookkeeper accounts for all income payments to employees and calculates the related social benefits such as pension and health insurance contributions as well as payments to the - unemployment insurance fund.
- asset accounting In this area of responsibility, the goods, i.e. the machines or real estate of the company, are managed.
Hard skills and soft skills
The hard and soft skills for a bookkeeper include:
- sound knowledge of accounting, tax, and commercial law,
- knowledge of bookkeeping software,
- the organization of efficient payment transactions.
- organizational talent,
- initiative,
- number crunching,
- stress resistant.
- etc.
Language skills
German language skills are not officially required. However, you will practically need at least A1 in order to read and understand invoices written in German.
The salary of a bookkeeper
The salary of a bookkeeper depends on the size and location of the company, the field of activity, and professional experience. Average salaries for a bookkeeper in Germany range from €3.083 to €3.750 gross per month. Top salaries start at €4.167 gross per month and more. The median salary for a bookkeeper in Germany is €3.930 gross per month.
Outlook for Working as Bookkeeper
You can become a certified bookkeeper via further education. The IHK requires that you have completed vocational training in the commercial field and have at least 2 years of professional experience as a bookkeeper to become a certified bookkeeper. Germans love diplomas! Already with that diploma, you have reason to ask for a better salary. You can also work your way to become a tax clerk (aka "Steuerfachangestellte") and after you have accomplished that, you can consider becoming a tax consultant.
Persons over 45 Years
If you are 45 years or older, you also have to receive a salary of at least € 4015 in western Germany resp. € 3905 for eastern Germany. If your salary will be lower than that threshold, you will have to show an adequate pension plan or other provisions for retirement. This coverage can be either the state pension plan from home, private savings, or closing a German pension plan or a mixture of all. The government wants to make sure that you will not be dependent on welfare upon retiring.
N.B. This is only relevant for the very first permit!