If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether the word bookkeeper should be written as one word or two, then you’re not alone – this has been a topic of debate since at least 1884 when the subject first came up in print. To get to the bottom of this question, we need to look at the definitions of each term and examine some of their individual characteristics and history. We’ll then take a deep dive into both sides of the argument and try to reach an official conclusion on whether it should be written as one word or two separate words.
The Definition
A bookkeeper is someone who keeps accounts, payroll and financial records of a business. A lot of businesses are big enough that they hire a bookkeeper to take care of those tasks, so it can be an employee position with benefits. But many small business owners decide to do their own bookkeeping in order to save money on labor costs. In which case, they’ll need to be able to do basic math and have access to a computer and accounting software package like QuickBooks Pro or TurboTax Online Deluxe.
The History of Book-Keeping
As our society continues to advance, so too does the language. New words are coined every day to refer to things that may not have been possible yesterday and as our society changes, some words lose their meaning while other words grow in importance. This is the case with book-keeping, which has gone through a shift in meaning over time. While you might picture an old person with lots of books sitting behind a desk counting coins, this isn’t exactly what people think about when they hear that word anymore.
Where are They Now?
1) Here’s a simple question: what does the word bookkeeper mean? 2) Answer: The word bookkeeper has two meanings. It can refer to someone who keeps track of financial records for businesses like accountants, banks and lawyers. Or it can refer to someone who cleans books and prepares them for distribution – a shop girl in publishing jargon.
Mystery solved! You now know that a bookkeeper is not just one word, but two words – one meaning is financial records while the other meaning refers to those who prepare books for distribution!
Can Anyone Become a Bookkeeper Today?
Becoming a virtual bookkeeper is something that was unheard of only two decades ago. But now, thanks to technology, there are no set prerequisites for this position. Although your experience may differ in some respects from a bookkeeper who’s been in the business for years, you’ll still need some key skills and abilities. Here’s what you need to get started today:
- Familiarity with modern computer programs like Excel and Microsoft Office
- Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication)
- Accounting knowledge (opening journal entries)
- The willingness to learn new things as they come up
It’s possible that you don’t know everything yet. After all, not too many people do!
