In this article, we will discuss how to become a bookkeeper and various online bookkeeping courses. This course is designed for experienced bookkeepers with at least two years of work experience in bookkeeping or accounting. However, the bookkeeper’s underlying organizational skills and precise attention to detail are as valuable as ever to their employers and clients. https://www.bookstime.com/articles/bookkeeping-clean-up-guide Programs like QuickBooks® or Microsoft Excel® have widely replaced the manual entry functions of traditional bookkeeping. However, the organization, reporting, and use of financial data still rely heavily on human input and processing. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally.

• Once you have successfully completed the course, you will receive detailed instructions regarding use of the exam voucher at any Prometric Test Center.
• Some employers may require you to have only a high school diploma for an entry-level bookkeeping position.
• The right certification for you’ll depend on your level of education and experience, your need for credibility, time and financial resources, and the type of accounting software you wish to specialize in.
• You’ll also gain access to a selection of on-demand videos, and instructor support.
• If you purchase these materials as a bundle, they cost $1,276 in total.
• To help you find the best bookkeeping certificates to take online, we’ve looked at courses prepared by reputable academies and accounting institutions.

Carroll’s faculty have industry experience, academic excellence and a passion for teaching. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for bookkeeping/accounting/auditing clerks or bookkeepers will remain virtually stable over the next decade. Nearly 200,000 openings are projected each year to replace workers who transfer or retire. To become a Zoho Books Advisor, you simply need to register for the Zoho Consulting Partner Program and attend the free one-hour webinar. Zoho will also provide training materials to help you master the software.

Fee Includes

Candidates must meet similar eligibility requirements for the CPB license and the CB credential. To earn either certification, bookkeepers must successfully pass a four-part multiple-choice exam, verify their bookkeeping education and experience, and agree to follow a professional code of conduct. This is a beginner-level course with no prior knowledge required from students.

As you progress through the courses, you’ll learn about assets, equities, and liabilities in accounting, and their impact on the profit and loss sheet. Taking a bookkeeping course online gives students an opportunity to expand their career opportunities in a lucrative field. Bookkeeping courses explore the steps involved in managing company financials and facilitating business growth. They ensure students have what it takes to assist clients with job-ready skills in financial analysis, statement creation, and more. QuickBooks is the most popular accounting software used by small businesses. There are many benefits that come with this program, such as a ProAdvisor certification badge that you can include on marketing materials like your business cards and website.

Testing Centers / Test Candidates

You must pay for each part of the required exam, along with any preparation courses you may take. As noted above, NACPB and AIPB both require annual fees as well to keep members’ credentials current. Prior to earning either designation, you must prove that you have sufficient bookkeeping experience. The primary difference between the AIPB’s certification and NACPB’s license is the resulting title.

You will be able to write this exam remotely online if you have a stable internet connection and your own computer. You will also be able to come in to write your exam on the computers in the Stellietech Stellenbosch testing centre. As soon you purchase the course, your facilitator will contact you to book you in for training days that best suit you. Learn certified bookkeeper more about transferring your courses to a different institution or explore Transfer Agreements by Area of Study. This Certificate fast-tracks students from the classroom to the working world in a relatively short period of time. Tim is a Certified QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) Pro, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and CPA with 25 years of experience.

What Is Needed to Maintain the Bookkeeping Certification?

Bookkeepers must be adept with data entry as they often need to record a large number of transactions using a 10-key pad. Once the data has been accurately recorded, bookkeepers must ensure that it is ready for the trial balance stage, in which the debits and credits are equal. They must have a firm grasp of accounting principles and know what steps to take to perform these actions correctly.

Prior bookkeeping experience does not exempt you from these preparatory courses. Completing courses and workbooks can help you prepare for and pass your bookkeeping exam. The cost to become a CPB includes four courses and their respective exams. If you purchase these materials as a bundle, they cost $1,276 in total. In terms of hiring potential, there is little difference between the two designations.

NACPB Certified Bookkeeper (NACPB)

Each part of the Exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions and simulations. To pass the Exam, you must receive a minimum of 75% (37 out of 50 questions) on each part. Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams. For preparatory courses and workbooks, AIPB charges $254 for members and $324 for members. The final two parts of the exam are free and included in the workbooks. Requirements for CB certification are more extensive, as they ask for at least 3,000 hours of experience or two years of bookkeeping or accounting experience.

• Created with a specific focus on students looking to pursue a freelance career, this bookkeeping course looks at the financial elements of running a company modern entrepreneurs need to be aware of.
• The next step in becoming a QuickBooks certified user is to prepare for the QuickBooks certification exam.
• Qualified applicants receive an “authorization to test” letter and any study materials they purchase in the mail.
• You’ll also have added credibility and increased visibility from being listed in advisor directories so that potential clients can find you easily.
• Below we’ve included a few details on the certification programs available for three of the top accounting software programs.
• 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.

You’ll build a foundation of bookkeeping knowledge and account management, to prepare you for bookkeeping, accounting clerk, and similar roles. Testers are advised to have in-depth knowledge of the topics covered by the exam before writing it. If you feel you are not yet ready, Stellietech offers a full training course and practice test aligned to this exam to make sure you are fully prepared. Danielle Bauter is a writer for the Accounting division of Fit Small Business. She has owned Check Yourself, a bookkeeping and payroll service that specializes in small business, for over twenty years.

Exam Fee (each part)

This course is available to access for free as part of the 7-day trial offered by Skillshare. Following your free trial, you can enroll with a monthly subscription for $13.75 per month. You’ll start with an introduction to QuickBooks, and how to choose the right online subscription for your tools. The course leader will walk you through the basics of the QuickBooks dashboard, and explain how to set up a chart of accounts for assets like bank accounts, expenses, and income.

Bookkeepers can advance their skills, knowledge, and marketability via the self-study professional education offered by AIPB to both members and non-members. In order to obtain the bookkeeper certification accredited by the NBA, you need to complete the accounting fundamentals course and pass the uniform bookkeeper certification exam. This course is designed for a bookkeeper looking to formalize their education with an in-demand certification. You will get a high-level review of basic accounting concepts to prepare you to sit for and pass all four exams for the AIPB Certified Bookkeeper certification. This online course will prepare you for the four-part Certified Bookkeeper Exam to earn your American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) certification.

CareerBuilder.com cites bookkeeping skills as highly transferable to financial supervisory, analysis, or managerial roles. The site calls bookkeeper an “ideal choice” for those who are motivated to keep organizations on track with regard to their finances. On course completion, you will receive prepaid voucher to take AIPB Certified Bookkeeper certification exam. Ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases.

• Furthermore, it also gives you a practice test which is a great way to get ready for the exam.
• This should be plenty of time to complete the 12 hours and 34 minutes of content included in this course.
• Remember, you will only be able to write 72h+ after purchasing the exam.
• A certificate of completion signifies to a potential employer that you have completed the coursework in the area of bookkeeping.
• For preparatory courses and workbooks, AIPB charges $254 for members and $324 for members.

It’s a smart investment in professional development, and what’s more, it can be completed in less than one year. Candidates have up to a year to take and pass all four parts of the exam. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs available to bookkeeping and accounting experts each year, and business leaders will always need support from professionals with financial knowledge.

Ready to make your move in accounting? Gain insights for every career stage in our free Accounting Career Guide.

With the advent of the remote workplace, this type of career is suitable for those who care for family members and children. The automation of routine tasks will require bookkeepers to focus more on analyzing their clients’ books to look for potential areas of gains in efficiency. Small businesses hire a bookkeeper to facilitate the gathering of financial data on a regular basis. This position often requires knowledge and skill in basic accounting and in the use of QuickBooks software. The Bookkeeping Certificate program offers three opportunities  to attain professional  certifications  while enrolled in the program.