Replacing a $10 an hour bookkeeper can cost a company thousands of dollars in advertising costs and lost work time. Testing a potential bookkeeper's skills before hiring him may help avoid the cost of replacing him later for poor job performance or lack of skills. An employer may test a bookkeeper on specific knowledge, general knowledge and basic cognitive ability before extending an invitation to work for the company.
Workplace Skills Test
Basic cognitive and language abilities are required of a bookkeeper. Tests in math, spelling, comprehension and analysis are common skills tests given through employment agencies and human resource departments. It's especially important for bookkeepers to pay attention to details and to communicate effectively -- both verbally and in writing -- with the employer, coworkers or the employer's CPA. Simple math, spelling and writing skills tests are available online and through testing software companies.
Most bookkeepers are asked to use bookkeeping and accounting software to record transactions, write checks or create invoices. In many cases a company asks for specific software skills in its job description, which might include experience with programs such as Quickbooks, Quicken, Peachtree or Excel. A skills test in any of these software programs is an appropriate request as a screening mechanism before a formal interview. The assessment typically tests basic maneuvering skills within the software program by requesting the test taker to complete simple bookkeeping transactions, rather than focusing on specific accounting principles. Software skills tests are written by third parties and offered through skills testing organizations and employment agencies. Local community colleges and continuing education programs also offer software product skills testing.
Testing on specific tasks and bookkeeping procedures furthers the assessment process. Asking the bookkeeping candidate to complete a sample bank deposit, pay a bill or figure an employee paycheck are ways of testing skills. A written test pertaining to basic bookkeeping and accounting principles -- such as filing records, knowledge of financial statements, terminology or posting practices -- can be given in addition to performing bookkeeping tasks. Employers can create these tests or purchase premade tests from bookkeeping educators or testing agencies. Tests should fit the type of tasks the candidate will be performing. The specific test can also be added to the software product test.
Bookkeeping skills for the nonprofit sector have different requirements than those needed for the manufacturing, construction and retail sectors. Testing on industry specifics can verify claims made on a candidate's resume. Skills tests for handling inventory entries, donor pledges or some other specific bookkeeping task are helpful in further assessing a bookkeeping candidate.