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. The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers reports that graduates of its Certified Bookkeeper program have experienced career advancement. According to Payscale, people in the US with a bookkeeping certification can earn, on average, $55,000 per year [2]. These often take a few weeks to a few months to complete, and cover fundamental knowledge and skills so you can get started in the field. Discover more about bookkeeping certifications and bookkeeping certificates, and learn about choosing the best option for your goals.

What was the career path that led you to own a bookkeeping firm? What do you think helped you most on your journey?

Learning how to become a bookkeeper is also a great career choice if you like the idea of working remotely. The Certification assures employers of your bookkeeping knowledge and skill. You’ll receive instructions via email about how to best prepare and set up your test-taking environment at home, a local library or another place with qualified bookkeeper an internet connection. To score discounted fees, consider becoming a member of the organization of your choosing before registering for any courses and exams. To qualify for the CPB license, you need to accumulate 2,080 hours or one year of experience in the field. Explore how to become a certified bookkeeper with this helpful guide.

• While these careers are related, bookkeepers handle day-to-day data entry and record-keeping, while accountants use those records to manage tax filings and higher-level financial operations.
• Another difference to note between the CPB and CB credentials is cost.
• Therefore, you should consider the education opportunities discussed above.
• You can earn a bookkeeping certification through a college, a university or an accredited professional program.
• For example, perhaps you can be flexible about cost but need a certificate that you can complete relatively quickly.
• However, certified professionals may enjoy advantages in the job market.

Pass the Credentialing Exams

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. Bookkeepers do not have any specific education requirements beyond a high school diploma. However, professionals in this field must have several competencies they may not have learned in high school.

How to Become a Certified Bookkeeper

Find the right in-house bookkeeper or freelance bookkeeper for what your bookkeeping needs. Share your work experience, job questions and knowledge with colleagues. Sit in on any forum as a guest—to contribute your ideas and bookkeeping experience. To share your work expertise—or to get help from other professionals for your special problems, become an AIPB member.

industry-recognized bookkeeping certifications and certificates

CPB credentials require 24 hours of continuing education per year of licensure. The first is the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and the second is the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB). Both offer similar benefits regarding membership, resources and renewable credentials.

• The good news is that you can do bookkeeping training from the comfort of your home.
• In addition to moving up into higher-level positions, remote QuickBooks Live bookkeepers may also be able to enter into the tax domain by completing Intuit training and certification for taxes.
• From assessing your current level of education to choosing a certification program, our guide will help you.
• This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
• To meet the requirements for the CPA exam, some professionals enroll in master’s in accounting programs.
• The CPB license requires passing four exams covering bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, and QuickBooks.

America’s #1 Bookkeeping Certification

There is no cost for materials or the exam aside from the Coursera fee. Once you have received your certification, there are no further fees or memberships required. Evaluate whether you currently have the knowledge to be an efficient bookkeeper or the formal education or equivalent experience that could be applied toward certification. Once you’ve identified what matters most out of a bookkeeping certification program or a bookkeeping certificate, start researching which options align most closely with your priorities. Bookkeeping qualifications do not include formal certifications or licenses.

Step 3: Consider Your Available Time and Money