What can be automated in the bookkeeper role?

Bookkeepers record transactions, issue and chase invoices, reconcile accounts and prepare payroll. Accounting platforms now automate much of the matching and sending, so the job is shifting toward handling exceptions and keeping rules accurate. These entries show which parts have already shifted and which have not.

O*NET occupations: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (43-3031.00); Billing and Posting Clerks (43-3021.00); Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (43-3051.00). The scenarios below add up to 46 hours a week, but they describe different businesses, so do not add them for your own.

Process	Automatable today	Hours back / week
Purchase orders Largely.	69%	7
Expense receipt capture Mostly.	77%	6.5
Onboarding document collection Mostly.	74%	5.5
Commission tracking Mostly.	74%	5
Invoice creation and sending Mostly.	83%	5
Payment reconciliation Largely.	71%	4
Failed payment recovery Largely.	64%	3.5
Payroll preparation Largely.	68%	3.5
Cash-flow reporting Largely.	67%	3
Overdue payment reminders Largely.	63%	3

Process

Automatable today

Hours back / week

Purchase orders

Largely.

69%

Expense receipt capture

Mostly.

77%

6.5

Onboarding document collection

Mostly.

74%

5.5

Commission tracking

Mostly.

74%

Invoice creation and sending

Mostly.

83%

Payment reconciliation

Largely.

71%

Failed payment recovery

Largely.

64%

3.5

Payroll preparation

Largely.

68%

3.5

Cash-flow reporting

Largely.

67%

Overdue payment reminders

Largely.

63%