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Bookkeepers play a vital role in the business accounting cycle by collecting and inputting data. As a detail-oriented professional, you would play a crucial role in the organization and growth of companies from small businesses to major corporations. 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. The cost to become a CPB includes four courses and their respective exams. CPB licensure lasts one year, after which you must demonstrate that you completed all necessary continuing education credits and pay an annual membership fee.
As a professional bookkeeper, you would keep track of a company’s financial transactions and record them in the general ledger accounts. Bookkeepers can also obtain additional certification showing their mastery of Intuit QuickBooks, the most popular accounting software for small businesses. Consider taking the QuickBooks certified user exam or pursuing the Intuit certified bookkeeping professional credential. Exams are available at Certiport authorized testing centers across the U.S. Free and low-cost online bookkeeping courses are an excellent way to learn bookkeeping. These courses focus on bookkeeping fundamentals to enhance knowledge and bookkeeping skills.
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)
Because of these factors, advancing your bookkeeping career to a role in accounting can be advantageous. For instance, the job outlook for accountants and auditors has a 6 percent growth rate from 2021 to 2031. The median salary for these roles is also higher than for bookkeepers at $77,250 per year [4]. A few employers offer on-the-job training for bookkeepers by providing internships and placement programs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most bookkeepers can learn the profession’s basics in about six months [3].
Those seeking the CB credential must schedule in-person appointments at a Prometric testing center. A majority of professional certifications expire periodically and require renewal. Professionals looking to brush up on bookkeeping fundamentals can enroll in this introductory course from edX. Free, self-paced, and designed for part-time completion in six weeks, edX’s course covers topics including banking processes, payroll, ledger accounts, and reconciliations. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants developed this course.
Should I Become a Bookkeeper?
It also opens up the possibility of becoming a remote QuickBooks Live bookkeeper with Intuit. Learn about bookkeeping, typical responsibilities, how to become a bookkeeper, and remote bookkeeping opportunities with Intuit’s QuickBooks Live in the U.S. You can take any of these as standalone courses, but you’ll be best prepared professional bookkeeper to take the Intuit Academy Bookkeeping exam after you complete the full Professional Certificate. While no degree is required, you should possess strong analytical and mathematical skills. Though bookkeepers don’t need to hold college degrees, some may see their salaries increase after completing an undergraduate degree.
- Test-takers must complete the first two parts of AIPB’s CB exam in person at a Prometric testing center.
- Furthermore, the NBA trains and certifies bookkeeping students and employees in bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, tax, excel, and QuickBooks.
- A bookkeeper records financial transactions of your business in a systematic manner.
- On average, it takes about four months to complete the professional certificate on a part-time basis of less than four hours of study per week.
- In this program, you will dive deep into realistic customer scenarios to apply your knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting.
- As a bookkeeper, you will verify and balance receipts, keep track of cash drawers, and check sales records.
If you’re interested in becoming a QuickBooks Live bookkeeper, Intuit can provide you with the tools necessary to learn bookkeeping and accounting skills and get certified. Get started by signing up for the Intuit Bookkeeping Certification program today. A bookkeeping certificate can help you find a bookkeeping role, either as an in-house bookkeeper or as a freelancer. Bookkeeping lays the groundwork for many accounting processes, so you can use your experience and knowledge as a stepping stone to becoming an accountant. However, you will likely need to complete a degree program and other certifications to be an accountant or move beyond a bookkeeping role. Bookkeepers are not required to have certifications or specific education unless required by a specific employer.