5 essential qualities for a bookkeeper: tips from an experienced consultant

Below I share the five skills - both hard and soft skills - that I believe are essential to perform a job as a bookkeeper in 2025.

1. Accuracy and attention to detail

This is the basis of the profession. A strong bookkeeper must deliver reliable figures. This requires methodology, concentration, and a sharp eye for detail. With experience, however, you also learn where to draw the line.

Early in my career, I could spend hours tracking down a discrepancy of just a few euros. Today, I’m better at gauging the real impact of such differences. When you're dealing with companies that generate millions in revenue, chasing absolute precision can be a waste of valuable time.

Accuracy, then, isn’t about perfectionism: it’s about being precise while staying pragmatic.

2. Adaptability to tools and work environments

Very few accountants spend their entire career using just one software package. Personally, I’ve worked with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Adfinity, Oracle, Odoo, Tableau, and of course, Excel. Every project means a new system and a new way of working.

The more exposure you have to different tools, the quicker you adapt. You don’t need to master them all; you learn to read between the lines and work efficiently with what's in front of you.

In a financial world that’s rapidly digitizing, the ability to quickly adapt to a new ERP system or workflow is a real competitive edge.

3. Understanding the business behind the numbers

Bookkeeping isn’t just about booking invoices. It is an analysis tool, a mirror of business activities. Understanding what lies behind the numbers is what gives meaning to your work as bookkeeping professional.

The accounts translate the reality of a business. No bookkeeping, no numbers. No numbers, no decisions.

That broader understanding also makes it easier to communicate with other departments (controlling, sales, operations...) and to add real value.

4. Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize

In most projects I’ve worked on, deadlines are tight: month-end closings, audits, reporting cycles... Often, you’re juggling multiple urgent tasks, in collaboration with colleagues from other departments.

To stay on track, I rely on checklists and daily to-do lists. This helps me keep a clear overview and reduces mental pressure.

The ability to prioritize, stay calm under pressure, and organize your work effectively is just as crucial as knowing your way around bookkeeping software.

5. Curiosity and willingness to continually learn

Accounting standards evolve. Tools change. Expectations grow. If you don’t keep learning, it’s easy to fall behind. That’s why I consider curiosity a real professional asset.

At TriFinance, we have access to a wide range of training resources, but I’ve learned just as much from engaging with colleagues and tackling diverse projects.

Every assignment has taught me something new. And the further I progress, the more I want to keep learning.

Bookkeeping is not just about numbers and balance sheets. It’s a demanding role that requires precision, but also interpersonal skills, flexibility, and a genuine desire to really understand what you are doing.

Do you recognize yourself in these qualities? Or are you eager to grow in a setting that puts your development first? If so, I encourage you to explore the world of consultancy at TriFinance. You might be surprised by what this career path has to offer.