You may be surprised to learn, bookkeepers in the UK are required to undergo a basic DBS check. Due to the nature of the role, a basic DBS check is necessary to verify your suitability to work as a bookkeeper.

A basic DBS check for a bookkeeper will require you to undergo a search to verify whether you have any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions.

This is a first tier check that will go further than unspent convictions or conditional cautions. Roles across the finance and legal sectors are subject to CRB checks on a range of levels to safeguard the public.

The legal duty for employers to carry out basic DBS checks for bookkeepers came into effect in 1974 under the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Although there are deeper DBS checks available that can also search for offences like spent convictions, the only DBS check for a bookkeeper, legally required by your employer, is a basic DBS check - your employer cannot ask for more than that.

If you would like to talk to us about your basic DBS check today or find out how we can support your basic DBS application, visit our home page now or call 0333 030 0446