What is a Professional Bookkeeper?

The essence of a true professional is not only defined by the above criteria, but by being able to hold herself to a set of standards. The following table provides insights into the criteria by which a professional is measured, and the areas where bookkeepers must transition to become representative professionals. You will need access to spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers or the equivalent) for some activities in this course. Professionals retaking the CB exam must complete a 30-day waiting period. The exams use multiple-choice questions to test knowledge of key topics, including adjustments and error correction, payroll, inventory, and fraud prevention. Professionals must complete 24 hours of approved continuing professional education each year.

If you’re looking to gain a competitive advantage in the world of accounting, look no further than a bookkeeping certification. Skilled bookkeepers provide a valuable service to large and small organizations by keeping meticulous records of all financial transactions. The best way to prepare for the certified bookkeeper exam is by studying early and thoroughly. Take advantage of practice exams, study workbooks, and other online resources to brush up on your bookkeeping skills and knowledge. Self-taught bookkeepers use a variety of courses, seminars, books, and other online resources to learn about bookkeeping and accounting.

Create financial reports.

When you feel you have enough education, you can begin applying for jobs or start your own bookkeeping business. You will need to learn how to start a bookkeeping business in your Professional bookkeeper location, such as how to file for a license if you choose to have an in-person office. Bookkeepers are responsible for recording financial transactions related to the business.

Becoming a certified bookkeeper enhances your credibility and increases your earning potential. Benefits of this option include potentially fewer hours, choosing how many clients you work with, and the freedom to partner with bookkeeping companies to free up even more time. If you want to become a bookkeeper and also start a bookkeeping business, there are a few things to consider. In January 2023, the average bookkeeper in the United States earned an annual salary of $42,751. However, depending on a bookkeeper’s location, niche, and clients, they may command a higher salary, sometimes reaching $50,000 per year or above. You are a professional – a bookkeeping professional, so it’s time to act like it, show it and believe in yourself.

What is the difference between accounting and bookkeeping?

Bookkeepers are administrators first and foremost and are responsible for updating and maintaining financial transactions and reports. Accountants, on the other hand, are more like financial strategists. An accountant is the one to help the business owner make sense of their numbers, generate financial documents, and plan for the upcoming tax period. Accountants are required to have advanced certification, while bookkeepers are not.

• This organisation offers a national certification – the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation to bookkeepers after passing an exam.
• Once you’ve had some bookkeeping training, you’re ready for real-world bookkeeping jobs or experience.
• Compare this to the expected 136,400 annual openings for accountants and auditors (BLS, September 2022).
• Bookkeeping is the recording of financial events that take place in a company.

Professionals who are not interested in leadership may also prefer bookkeeping jobs over accounting roles. Bookkeepers focus on day-to-day transactions and operations, whereas accountants are called on to provide financial advice and strategy recommendations. Employers also prefer to hire bookkeepers who have taken some postsecondary courses. So, some professionals may pursue certificate programs in bookkeeping as a degree alternative. For instance, they must understand how to produce balance sheets and income statements, as well as record organizational debits and credits.

Develop career skills and credentials to stand out

For instance, you may decide to pursue additional licenses or certifications. Aspiring bookkeepers don’t need work experience to apply for entry-level roles. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.

Only 12% of entry-level bookkeepers have a bachelor’s degree, so having one is an easy way to gain an advantage. Consider a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance. As more people move to working from home, freelancing, or starting their own businesses, you may want to learn how to become a virtual bookkeeper. A virtual bookkeeper must meet the same educational requirements as an in-house or in-person bookkeeper. Therefore, you should consider the education opportunities discussed above. Someformal certifications include the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) and the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB).

Benefit from a community dedicated to growing your business

Annual renewal applications cost $25 for NACPB members and $50 for nonmembers. Membership also gives you access to resources that can help you prepare to become a CPB. To score discounted fees, consider becoming a member of the organization of your choosing before registering for any courses and exams. Prior to earning either designation, you must prove that you have sufficient bookkeeping experience. QuickBooks also provides a webinar held by expert QBO accountant Hector Garcia. In this webinar, the QBO accountant covers how to set up QuickBooks Online and provides guidelines on some of the useful features of the product.

It’s important to note here that if you become a Diamond VIP member, you will get access to every self-paced course offered by QuickBooks. This means more than 100 hours of QuickBooks training, live weekly webinars, live Q & A sessions, and live support from QuickBooks instructors. The QuickBooks comprehensive training program gets users comfortable with using QuickBooks software in just two days. With over 30,000 courses across 190 countries, the Knowledge Academy is one of the world’s largest providers of training courses globally. They provide courses in different categories like business analysis, project management, business accounting, and bookkeeping.

Jobs For Associate Degree Candidates

If you purchase these materials as a bundle, they cost $1,276 in total. Once you attend a QuickBooks training class, you will receive a QuickBooks certification study guide. This guide consists of real-life examples and tips and tricks to help you to prepare for the exam. This training class is the stepping stone towards QuickBooks certification. The CFI courses offer practical skills, templates, and tools to enhance your accounting knowledge. This organisation informs, trains, certifies, and licenses bookkeeping students, job applicants, employees, and professionals.

You can take any of these as standalone courses, but you’ll be best prepared to take the Intuit Academy Bookkeeping exam after you complete the full Professional Certificate. Practice interpreting and analyzing financial statements to make key business decisions. A majority of professional certifications expire periodically and require renewal. When you register for the CB exam, consider adding a few of AIPB’s official workbooks to your order form.

Transitioning from bookkeeping to accounting roles

The final two parts of the exam are free and included in the workbooks. Although the terms are typically conflated or used interchangeably, bookkeepers and accountants have distinct roles and obligations. Bookkeepers are, essentially, on the front line; they maintain an account of how finances flow into and out of an entity from day to day.

Furthermore, every member contributes to the community in order to build a collective knowledge base. Individuals who are members of the community answer the queries posted by QuickBooks account holders around the world. Such queries are answered from their own experience of using QuickBooks. Global QuickBooks Community is an online hub that allows you to connect with other QuickBooks users around the world.

• Although you certainly can do formal bookkeeping training (e.g., online bookkeeping courses, relevant degree), many bookkeepers simply learn the ropes through on-the-job training.
• So, bookkeepers who can add “CPB” or “CB” after their names may be more competitive than other candidates.
• Accountants and auditors are typically required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree (BLS, September 2022).
• Get started by signing up for the Intuit Bookkeeping Certification program today.
• Candidates must meet similar eligibility requirements for the CPB license and the CB credential.

However, NACPB recommends a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related industry to earn the CPB license. Some online bookkeeping courses are free, while some require payment. The next step in becoming a QuickBooks certified user is to prepare for the QuickBooks certification exam.

Candidates must meet similar eligibility requirements for the CPB license and the CB credential. You may be able to get on-the-job training through a bookkeeping job that only requires a high school diploma, such as an internship or training placement. You may also pursue certification programs or use online courses to become a self-taught bookkeeper. Some bookkeepers, especially those with bachelor’s degrees in accounting, may decide to become certified public accountants (CPAs).

Unfortunately, bookkeepers have not been held to any of these standards related to  a “professional” stature. Most bookkeepers fail to recognize themselves as a “professional” because they have not self-identified with a profession. While no degree is required, you should possess strong analytical and mathematical skills. Bookkeepers seeking the CPB license must complete all portions of the exam online.

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. Integrity and trustworthiness are important qualities to cultivate as a bookkeeper. Keep an organization’s financial data confidential and be transparent about your bookkeeping activities.