What Are the Daily Duties of a Bookkeeper in Australia?

Bookkeeping how long does it take?

Understanding what bookkeepers actually do each day can help business owners decide when and how to delegate their financial records. Whether you're managing things yourself or considering hiring a professional, knowing the daily duties of a bookkeeper will help clarify expectations and improve workflow.

In this blog, we’ll break down the typical day in a bookkeeper’s world, including how long tasks take, what’s considered routine, and what businesses should be doing more consistently.

1. Core Daily Bookkeeping Duties

While every business is different, most bookkeepers follow a consistent structure to maintain clean, accurate records. Here are the core tasks typically handled on a daily or frequent basis:

• Bank Reconciliation: Matching transactions between bank accounts and accounting software.

• Data Entry: Recording income, expenses, invoices, and payments.

• Checking Cash Flow: Ensuring that cash in and out is monitored and reported.

• Expense Coding: Allocating costs to the correct categories for BAS and year-end reporting.

• GST Tracking: Flagging GST-relevant transactions to maintain compliance.

2. How Long Does Bookkeeping Usually Take?

This depends on business size, transaction volume, and the method used (manual vs. digital). A sole trader may need 15–30 minutes per day, while a growing company might require a full-time bookkeeper or outsourced support.

Factors that affect how long bookkeeping takes:

• Number of bank accounts and cards in use

• Whether receipts are organised digitally

• Frequency of invoicing and payment follow-ups

• Whether automation tools (e.g. bank feeds) are set up correctly

If your bookkeeping feels like it’s taking too long, it’s often a sign your systems need refining — or that it’s time to outsource.

3. How Many Hours Do Bookkeepers Work?

Bookkeepers can work part-time, full-time, or on a flexible arrangement depending on business needs. In Australia, small business bookkeepers might work anywhere from 4 to 20+ hours per week, depending on:

• Business turnover

• Needs

• Industry-specific requirements (e.g. construction, retail)

• Software complexity (e.g. multi-user Xero setups)

Outsourced bookkeepers often scale their hours to match the client’s needs — ideal for businesses that don’t need someone full-time.

4. Should All Bookkeeping Done Daily?

Not necessarily. Some tasks are better done weekly or monthly, but daily attention ensures:

• No missed transactions

• Faster BAS prep

• Reduced risk of compliance errors

• Better visibility over business performance

Think of daily bookkeeping as “micro-maintenance” — less overwhelming, more manageable, and ultimately more cost-effective than last-minute fixes.

Final Thoughts

Daily bookkeeping duties help create the financial clarity every business needs — but it doesn’t mean you have to do it yourself. By understanding the rhythm of a bookkeeper’s day, business owners can make smarter decisions about who does what, and when.

At Justwise Accounting, we support businesses across Australia with flexible bookkeeping services that match your schedule — from daily reconciliations to month-end reporting.