Today, if you Google “bookkeeper definition,” this is what you will find: A bookkeeper is a person who records the day-to-day financial transactions of a business. This individual is usually responsible for keeping the books, which contain records of purchases, sales, receipts, and payments. That definition is no longer correct.
Words change over time in any language based upon the use and understanding of the population using them. The very definition of the term “bookkeeper” has changed dramatically in the last decade, due to the influence of new technologies and the shift toward cloud solutions. For as long as we can remember, bookkeepers have been the “bean counters.” Whether on paper or in software, we make sure that every transaction is recorded in the books, and then we verify through reconciliation that everything is correct.
The business world, including our colleagues, clients, and potential clients need to be made aware that the very definition of the word “bookkeeper” has changed.
Bookkeeper definition for today: A management accounting professional, often specializing in financial compliance, business strategy, technology setup, execution, and maintenance.
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