Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper in the UK focuses on the day-to-day recording of financial transactions. Common tasks include:
- Recording sales, purchases, and expenses
- Reconciling bank statements and managing ledgers
- Processing invoices and managing accounts payable/receivable
- Producing simple financial reports for internal use
Bookkeepers in the UK may have a certifications, however no formal qualifications are required. Although it starting to become common place where accounting software is automating numerous task previously carried out by bookkeepers.
Accountant
An accountant in the UK provides financial analysis, advice, and regulatory compliance services. Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing and filing tax returns in line with HMRC regulations
- Offering financial planning and budgeting advice
- Producing statutory financial statements
- Advising on business structure, cash flow, and financial growth
Accountants in the UK will usually have qualifications from bodies like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), or Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
In Summary
In the UK, accountants are also legally required to oversee certain regulatory tasks (like tax filings), which bookkeepers are not qualified to perform independently.
