Bookkeepers help businesses keep financial records in order by preparing invoices, recording payments, and balancing the general ledger. These are no longer done by hand — today’s bookkeepers use accounting programs like QuickBooks to maintain records and help prepare compliance filings such as sales tax returns and W-2s.
Average pay: $40,000
How to get started: You might be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be a CPA to do this job — you may not even need a college degree. Bookkeepers need a keen eye for detail, a high level of organization and solid math skills. You can seek out bookkeeping at your local community college or online to get started.