Bookkeeping Certification

17 Aug Bookkeeping Certification

Professionals must complete 24 hours of approved continuing professional education each year. Follow these five best practice tips to improve your bookkeeper certification exam performance. Candidates for CPB licensure need to demonstrate a minimum of one year or 2,000 hours of bookkeeping professional bookkeeper or accounting experience. Employers or clients must fill out a form attesting to the candidate’s work. 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.

• Then, kickstart your bookkeeping career by signing up for an  Intuit Bookkeeping Certification.
• Once on the job, a bookkeeper with some business education beyond high school will have a better chance for advancement.
• In each section, test-takers must answer 37 out of 50 questions correctly to receive a passing grade.
• Read on to learn about eligibility, examination, and continuing education requirements for CPB or CB certification.
• Auditing clerks check records posted by other workers to make certain they are correct.
• Employment of bookkeepers was expected to grow more slowly than average for all occupations through the year 2014.

However, certified professionals may enjoy advantages in the job market. Accountants and auditors are typically required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree (BLS, September 2022). After working in the field for at least a year, CPAs also need to take an exam. To meet the requirements for the CPA exam, some professionals enroll in master’s in accounting programs. Some aspiring professionals may pursue internships or practicums while pursuing postsecondary degrees or certificate programs.

Bottom Line About Bookkeepers

Regardless of whether you are pursuing credentials through AIPB or NACPB, your supervisor or a former employer must validate your experience hours. Large firms break down the bookkeeping responsibilities into specialized areas. Each area is handled by one or more bookkeeping clerks, also called accounting clerks, who are supervised by a head bookkeeper. Auditing clerks check records posted by other workers to make certain they are correct. Bookkeepers earn a median annual salary of $45,860, according to the U.S. However, a bookkeeper’s salary varies depending on their education, location and level of experience.

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. You may be able to get on-the-job training through a bookkeeping job that only requires a high school diploma, such as an internship or training placement. You may also pursue certification programs or use online courses to become a self-taught bookkeeper. Bookkeepers are not required to have certifications or specific education unless required by a specific employer.

Sample Office Manager Bookkeeper Resume

Exams are available at Certiport authorized testing centers across the U.S. You must pass the bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks Online and accounting certification exams before qualifying for CPB licensure. 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. The widespread use of computers and bookkeeping programs has dramatically cut down on the amount of time required for bookkeepers to perform their bookkeeping duties. As such, many offices now require bookkeepers to take on additional responsibilities, such as payroll, customer service, or billing.

If you’re interested in being a freelance virtual bookkeeper, you can sign up for freelance marketplace websites to connect with potential clients. Freelance jobs can range from quick temporary projects to long-term employment. However, they may be less likely to offer training or educational opportunities. A client’s financial activities will include all transactions related to their income and expenses and a bookkeeper is responsible for recording all of these transactions accurately. Some bookkeepers may also have to facilitate financial transactions and ensure  transactions are legally compliant.

Certified Bookkeeper Certifications (CPB and CB)

This credential can boost your credibility in the eyes of potential employers, especially if you’re just breaking into the job market. The bookkeeper job description entails maintaining the general ledger and accounts, recording transactions, posting debits and credits, running payroll and creating invoices. If you’re looking online for bookkeeping certifications, you’ve probably already run into information about accounting programs. While there are similarities between bookkeeping vs. accounting, these two fields are not the same.