How to Become a Bookkeeper: A Step By Step Guide

Prepare for certification exams by utilizing study materials and practice tests provided by the certifying bodies. Once you obtain your certification, it’s important to maintain it through continuing education and renewals to stay current with industry standards. Practice using accounting what degree do you need to be a bookkeeper software for various tasks, such as recording transactions, generating financial reports, and reconciling accounts. Explore additional tools and features offered by the software to enhance your efficiency and productivity.

Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long

If you already hold a Bachelor’s degree in another field and would like to obtain additional knowledge about bookkeeping, then there are several continuing education options available. They may not provide the same amount of training as in Bachelor’s degree program but they Law Firm Accounts Receivable Management do allow you to get started on your career sooner. Manufacturing bookkeepers need to accurately recognize goods throughout the production process, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.

Technical bookkeeping skills

You will learn how to record costs, value inventory, calculate depreciation, analyze financial statements, and use software programs. The courses cover bookkeeping, Microsoft Excel, business math, and payroll administration. An accountant can certainly perform bookkeeping tasks, but the title generally involves other responsibilities as well. An accounting accountant may interpret the financial records that a bookkeeper compiles, in order to assess a company’s financial health. Becoming an accountant usually requires more training and education than bookkeeping and can be a good next step in your financial career.

• While some employers may require a degree, many bookkeeping positions only require a high school diploma or equivalent.
• As a bookkeeper, you will need to learn how to create balance sheets, invoices, cash flow statements, income statements, accounts receivable reports, and more.
• Explore the demand for bookkeepers in your desired location and determine the salary expectations and opportunities for career growth.
• Continuing education courses provide information that helps bookkeepers stay updated with changes in the industry.
• Because of these factors, advancing your bookkeeping career to a role in accounting can be advantageous.
• After you have a few years of experience, you can earn the Certified Bookkeeper designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers by passing a series of exams.

Popular Minors for Bookkeepers

• For example, a bookkeeper who works for a company that does not require a license could still work in his or her current position while completing the necessary paperwork to receive a license.
• Accountants will remain in demand because they can generally offer insights that a computer cannot match.
• The median annual salary for accountants was $79,880 in May 2023, over $30,000 higher than that for bookkeepers.
• If you’re ready to blog, side hustle and save money and do all the things, you’re in the right place.
• If flexibility is a priority for you, consider online or part-time programs that allow you to balance your education with other commitments.
• You will check bank deposits for fraud, fix balance sheet errors, and maintain accurate payroll records.

It’s completely possible to become a skilled and successful freelance bookkeeper without the need for a specialized degree or lengthy certification. While more education is always a bonus, many successful freelance bookkeepers start right out of secondary school. Did you know that you can learn how to become a bookkeeper in less than one year with no experience? This makes bookkeeping a popular choice for those without degrees or those ready for a career change. 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.

You’ll need some training and certification to become a professional bookkeeper. As a bookkeeper, you will verify and balance receipts, keep track of cash drawers, and check sales records. Bookkeepers also deposit money, cash checks, and ensure correct credit card transactions. Small businesses may prefer to handle their books themselves, but hiring a professional bookkeeper can be helpful. While it’s not always necessary to have a degree, some companies will look for candidates with coursework in accounting. Meghan Gallagher is a Seattle-based freelance content writer and strategist.

• However, you may have access to more and better opportunities with stronger qualifications and credentials.
• Because bookkeepers oversee many moving pieces, organization skills are paramount in this position.
• Lastly, gather information on the job market and career prospects for bookkeepers.
• Have you thought about whether you’d rather work as a bookkeeper vs accountant?
• This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant industry skills.
• Learn popular accounting software programs such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage.

About Intuit

• Nevertheless, the demand for skilled bookkeepers is expected to remain steady as businesses continue to rely on their expertise.
• This post has provided you the information you need to meet the educational requirements to become a bookkeeper and to be successful in your career.
• However, more knowledge is always an asset, and a bookkeeping certificate can make your resume look more attractive, potentially helping you to gain clients.
• It’s completely possible to become a skilled and successful freelance bookkeeper without the need for a specialized degree or lengthy certification.

A certification includes a pre-assessment test, the course itself, a post-assessment test and a certification exam. The first step to becoming a certified bookkeeper is ensuring you’ve met all professional and educational requirements. Regardless of whether you are pursuing credentials through AIPB or NACPB, your supervisor or a former employer must validate your experience hours. Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths.

How Intuit helps tax and bookkeeping pros do their best work

If you do not pass one of the certification exams, you can retake it for a fee of $40 for NACPB members and $50 for nonmembers. Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams. By developing a basic understanding of these basic accounting principles and concepts, you will be able to better perform your bookkeeper duties and responsibilities.

AIPB’s certified bookkeeper (CB)

Additionally, focus on developing strong verbal and written communication skills, as bookkeepers often need to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. If you love to work with numbers, and you consider yourself an organized, detail-oriented individual, then you may want to consider a career in bookkeeping. Companies of all sizes need accounting assistance, including multinational corporations and small businesses. Bookkeepers can help these businesses keep accurate accounting records and increase efficiency. Use this guide to answer the question, “What does a bookkeeper do?” while exploring relevant professional duties and career paths.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

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. Certain aspects of bookkeeping may be difficult for some, requiring familiarity with the record-entry process and accounting software. The job also requires an eye for detail, organization, and some basic math skills.