Bookkeepers can retake CPB and CB certification exam sections as needed. Test-takers redoing the first or second part of the AIPB exam qualified bookkeeper must wait 30 days between attempts. The first two parts of AIPB’s exams require in-person scheduling at Prometric testing centers.
- Once you understand basic bookkeeping, you can manage your business finances with confidence.
- Using bookkeeping, you can record revenue and expenses and generate tax returns.
- You will have access to a client management portal, and can communicate with customers through video conferencing and messaging.
- 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.
- Accounting programs offer the most direct training for a career in bookkeeping.
- At the same time, the number of predicted bookkeeping job openings per year over that period is 197,600.
You can earn a bookkeeping certification through a college, a university or an accredited professional program. Some bookkeepers, especially those with bachelor’s degrees in accounting, may decide to become certified public accountants (CPAs). CPAs have similar job responsibilities to bookkeepers, but must also analyze data, suggest best practices, and make predictions. Professionals who are not interested in leadership may also prefer bookkeeping jobs over accounting roles.
Bookkeeping Career Outlook and Salary
Candidates for CPB licensure need to demonstrate a minimum of one year or 2,000 hours of bookkeeping or accounting experience. Employers or clients must fill out a form attesting to the candidate’s work. Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams. Before jumping straight into either exam, you must first take a series of courses. Prior bookkeeping experience does not exempt you from these preparatory courses.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps needed to become a bookkeeper and start your own bookkeeping business. Certified bookkeeper exams are appropriately rigorous and thorough. The exams use multiple-choice questions to test knowledge of key topics, including adjustments and error correction, payroll, inventory, and fraud prevention. Bookkeepers must acquire at least 60 credits of continuing professional education every three years to retain CB certification.
Resources for YourGrowing Business
Alternatively, you can locate a suitable online or traditional college course that will provide you with certification along with a thorough bookkeeping education. If you’re an efficient bookkeeper, you may want to focus on one particular accounting software program. Two popular options are certifications and/or licenses available through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. Other options include online and traditional college courses and accounting software certification programs. Unlike the AIPB and NACPB certifications, you won’t earn the certified bookkeeper or certified public bookkeeper distinction when you complete these courses.
- Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams.
- Janet has a deep understanding of the needs of bookkeepers as well as the pressures brought by their clients.
- NACPB estimates seven to 13 weeks per class, but you may finish earlier if you dedicate more time to studying.
- Using the double-entry method, you can get a clearer picture of your business activity.
- Two of these courses—Bookkeeping with QuickBooks Online and Payroll with QuickBooks Online Payroll—are free for NACPB members.