How to Become a Certified Bookkeeper in 4 Steps

In this section, we’ll cover two primary bookkeeping certifications and two popular bookkeeping certificates. Additionally, the options outlined in the table below can be completed online, and many are self-paced, meaning you can work on them around your other responsibilities. These often take a few weeks to a few months to complete, and cover fundamental knowledge and skills so you can professional bookkeeper get started in the field. Discover more about bookkeeping certifications and bookkeeping certificates, and learn about choosing the best option for your goals.

How long does it take to get a bookkeeper certification?

This organisation offers a national Law Firm Accounts Receivable Management certification, the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation, to bookkeepers after passing an exam. The CB designation for bookkeeping is the same as what a CPA is for accounting. Most employers prefer hiring bookkeepers who possess a proper degree, however, there are employers who will hire candidates with just a high-school diploma as they prefer training them on the job. By earning certification, bookkeepers have proven their skills in accounting, taxation, financial accounting, and other related concepts, giving them an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions. If you’re wondering whether to earn CB certification or CPB licensure, keep in mind that a professional designation can help boost your earning potential.

How to Choose the Right Online Bookkeeping Service for Your Ecommerce Store

• As a professional bookkeeper, you would keep track of a company’s financial transactions and record them in the general ledger accounts.
• One benefit to this type of study is that you’ll have access to instructors while you learn.
• Fortunately, with advancements in technology, there are now several online bookkeeping tools specifically designed for small businesses like yours.
• QuickBooks Online Accountant helps you manage your work, clients, and practice, all with one login.
• Still, you should see 197,600 job openings each year over the next decade 3.
• Accountants can specialize in government or nonprofit accounting, consulting or freelance, or work in areas like forensic accounting, auditing or education.

The expected job decline is primarily due to cloud computing and other software innovations automating bookkeeping tasks that a person would normally do. Specializing in a career field can help to set you apart and lead to career stability and longevity. You may also be expected to take on more advisory and analytical roles as bookkeeping becomes more automated. You may handle payroll functions as a bookkeeper, keep tax withholding records, and issue paychecks or send information to a contracted payroll service. Depending on the organization’s size, keeping track of business expenses and reconciling business statements may be your responsibility. You typically maintain accurate accounting records across all transactions while communicating with others.

The Professional Bookkeeper Experience

Once you have attended the QuickBooks training class, worked through the study guide, and taken the practice test, you will be ready for accounting the exam. QuickBooks offers a two-day mastering QuickBooks class, this class is the stepping stone towards QuickBooks certification. QuickBooks Online Accountant helps you manage your work, your clients, and your practice, all with one login.

NACPB and AIPB train and support bookkeepers and advocate for the profession. Certification and membership through these organizations help bookkeepers complete continuing education, network with other industry professionals, and stay current with industry changes and regulations. AIPB offers a series of six self-paced classes and accompanying workbooks, all of which are part of AIPB’s CB preparatory course.

• She has owned Check Yourself, a bookkeeping and payroll service that specializes in small business, for over twenty years.
• The Professional Bookkeeping Certification Program was created to meet the high industry demand for qualified small business bookkeeping and accounting professionals.
• Imagine having real-time insights into your cash flow, effortlessly tracking expenses, and untangling tax complexities without breaking a sweat.
• Completion of this program is your first step to accelerate your accounting and bookkeeping career.
• If you’d like to become a bookkeeper, you can seek training opportunities to adjust to these changes, such as becoming certified bookkeepers or enrolling in training on emerging technology.
• This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

The BLS projects 6% occupational growth for accountants between 2023 and 2033, with 130,800 openings yearly. The median annual salary for accountants was $79,880 in May 2023, over $30,000 higher than that for bookkeepers. The QuickBooks comprehensive training program gets users comfortable with using QuickBooks software in just two days. This organisation informs, trains, certifies, and licenses bookkeeping students, job applicants, employees and professionals. You will receive a certificate of completion when you pass the final exam which you can showcase to clients and colleagues.