How To Become a Bookkeeper in 2024

You may also pursue certification programs or use online courses to become a self-taught bookkeeper. 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. Bookkeepers are responsible for recording financial transactions related to the business.

With a certified bookkeeper designation, you are qualified to perform all critical functions through the adjusted trial balance and basic payroll for small to medium-sized businesses. 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]. Once you become a qualified bookkeeper, you can work as a permanent employee or freelancer. There’s no denying you can achieve a lot with this career path, and you can learn how to become a bookkeeper through training courses. You don’t even need related work experience to qualify for bookkeeping training.

AI in 2024: Intuit Leaders on Possibilities and Pitfalls

Knowing how to get experience as a bookkeeper helps people embark on a career that’s satisfying and profitable. Through the right tools and resources, anyone can learn how to start a new career in the comfort of their homes. Furthermore, anyone wanting to stand out online and in person can further their education by obtaining degrees and certifications pertaining to their career as a bookkeeper. In these programs, professional bookkeeper you can learn accounting principles, accounting software, payroll, how to prepare financial statements, and more. You can earn certification from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) and the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). The NACPB offers a certified public bookkeeper (CPB) certification, while the CPB offers a certified bookkeeper (CB) certification.

If you pursued a postsecondary degree or certificate, you will likely have career center resources to help you find a bookkeeping job. These offices may have particular insights about companies and roles in their area. Some bookkeepers pursue certified bookkeeper certifications offered by two national bookkeeping associations. The NACPB offers a certified bookkeeping professional (CPB) designation, and AIPB confers a certified bookkeeper (CB) license. Employers also prefer to hire bookkeepers who have taken some postsecondary courses. So, some professionals may pursue certificate programs in bookkeeping as a degree alternative.

Bookkeeper Qualifications

If you have no previous experience in the accounting industry, this means you need to pick your bookkeeping courses wisely. They should cover all the essentials you need to learn to be a competent and capable bookkeeper. A good bookkeeping training program will teach you bookkeeping skills that business owners are more than willing to pay for. Bear in mind that you also have to be self-motivated, organized, and good with time management. These are key traits you must possess and master to succeed in your virtual bookkeeping job. Both work arrangements afford more freedom when it comes to working hours and where you do your work.

Benefits of this option include potentially fewer hours, choosing how many clients you work with, and the freedom to partner with bookkeeping companies to free up even more time. For example, note which software you want a candidate to be familiar with–including general programs that your office uses. A bookkeeper’s work is often reviewed by an accountant and/or the small business owner. Small businesses may prefer to handle their books themselves, but hiring a professional bookkeeper can be helpful. Cultivate your desire to learn new things because there’s always something new to discover and learn.

A Guide to Bookkeeping: Skills, Salaries, and Careers

Enrolling in a certificate or degree program offers an education-based option. You can also pursue on-the-job training, building job skills through an internship or junior bookkeeping role. Most employers prefer hiring new bookkeepers who will learn from more senior professionals.

People wanting to know how to learn bookkeeping at home can do so in several ways. The benefit of that is the self-paced nature of the content being taught. People can work a full-time job and learn how to be a bookkeeper at home in their free time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in 2020 was $42,410 or $20.39 per hour.

The Talent Acquisition team is dedicated to connecting people with exciting career opportunities and partnership within Intuit. You can take this exam from anywhere, as long as you have a reliable internet connection. One organization to look into is The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. They provide bookkeeping certifications and training, which can officially make you a Certified Bookkeeper. As an independent business owner, you’ll have to learn how to do your freelancing taxes too.

• After working in the field for at least a year, CPAs also need to take an exam.
• It’s how to get experience as a bookkeeper quickly, affordably, and from the comfort of your home.
• Although you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, it can make you more competitive.
• You’ll be the one to source out your clients, and you can carefully select the ones you can serve best.
• Still, you should see 197,600 job openings each year over the next decade [3].