How much does a bookkeeper earn?
Bookkeepers record business transactions, maintain financial accounts and prepare reports and closings – often in companies, tax firms or shared-service centres. Entry is typically via commercial training, a career change with an IHK course or a dual degree. Gross pay depends on region, company size, software skills and responsibility. As a guide, qualified bookkeepers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,200–€3,900 gross per month; in training around €1,000–€1,300 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The training column covers commercial apprenticeship, dual study or entry/internship phases; qualified means practising bookkeepers. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, software skills (e.g. DATEV, SAP) and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Profession and everyday work
A bookkeeper ensures figures are correct and deadlines are met: receipts are checked and posted, accounts reconciled and reports produced. Day-to-day work is structured, detail-oriented and often deadline-driven – for example at month-end, VAT or year-end closing.
- Check receipts, maintain accounts and post ongoing transactions in financial bookkeeping.
- Handle open items, payment runs and reconcile bank and creditor accounts.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual closings and produce reports for management.
- Maintain VAT advance returns, DATEV/ERP systems and interfaces to tax advisors.
- Code invoices, credit notes and standing documents correctly and file them in an audit-proof way.
- Work closely with purchasing, sales, payroll and tax advisory.
