Academic programs offered through accredited institutions provide an important level certified bookkeeper of validation that may improve your chances of landing a job. A bookkeeping certification is a professional designation awarded to qualified candidates by third-party agencies. They take care of day-to-day operational functions involving incoming and outgoing money, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. Bookkeepers also prepare, issue, and resolve invoices, bills, and sales records. Schools apply variable fee structures to their bookkeeping certificate programs.

How Do You Register for the Exam?

It also opens up the possibility of becoming a remote QuickBooks Live bookkeeper with Intuit. Many of the processes, policies, and procedures include detail-oriented tasks to ensure financial accuracy. Still, there’s opportunity in the field, with nearly 175,000 annual openings projected over the decade. You can strengthen your employability and opportunity for advancement with a college degree.

Financial implications of hiring a certified bookkeeper

Once you become a qualified bookkeeper, you can work as a permanent employee or freelancer. You typically maintain accurate accounting records across all transactions while communicating with others. A bookkeeper’s job comprises maintaining and balancing financial records, including transactions from coworkers. Effective communication is essential for recording those daily transactions. Obtaining a bookkeeping certificate can open doors to job opportunities in various industries, allowing you to contribute to financial management with confidence. Some smaller companies may only need part-time bookkeepers to maintain and organize financial transactions, prepare taxes, and keep solid records.

• Depending on the organization’s size, keeping track of business expenses and reconciling business statements may be your responsibility.
• Bookkeepers are not required to have certifications or specific education unless required by a specific employer.
• As a result, certification can lead to advancement opportunities in other areas of accounting, as well as finance and management positions.
• However, whether you’re a small start-up or a seasoned organization with many employees, hiring a bookkeeping professional can save you time so that you can focus on other responsibilities.
• For example, the CPB exam tests you on bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks, and accounting.

Mt. San Antonio College

It’s a way to show your skill set to potential employers and others in your professional network. You can earn a bookkeeping certification through a college, a university or an accredited professional program. To earn the CPB license, candidates must complete certification courses in bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, and QuickBooks through NACPB. Alternatively, candidates with a college education in one or more areas can send their transcripts to NACPB for review to bypass relevant courses. Both organizations require candidates to pass exams, verify their educational or professional experience, and agree to adhere to a professional code of conduct.

The 10 best Bookkeeper certifications to consider exploring in 2025 for your career growth. Columbus State Community College’s BOA Bookkeeping Certificate consists of a 10-credit curriculum split between five courses covering Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, payroll and bookkeeping. Let us know what type of degree you’re looking into, and we’ll find a list of the best programs to get you there. 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.

The program prepares graduates for the PayrollOrg Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam. NACPB and AIPB train and support bookkeepers and advocate for the profession. 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. Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Although there’s no renewal fee, AIPB charges a per-credit registration fee of $3. To register for the CB exam, a bookkeeper must fill out an application with their identifying information and bookkeeping experience. They need to pay a registration fee of $25 for members or $60 for non-members.

Bookkeeping is a great place to start if you’re hoping for a way to break into the finance industry. There are many bookkeeping job opportunities and generally fewer education requirements than in other finance and accounting positions. Bookkeepers manage an organization’s financial records by tracking transactions and producing reports for accountants and managers. These professionals use problem-solving, analytical, and detail-oriented skills while working closely with numbers and bookkeeping software. Yes — you can certainly learn and even master the core concepts of bookkeeping through independent study. However, employers may not recognize your skills without formal documentation.

A candidate must pass all parts of the CB exam to successfully complete the credential’s exam requirements. For the CB credential, a candidate must have at least two years of full-time experience in bookkeeping or 3,000 hours of part-time or freelance work. AIPB allows up to three years after passing the exam to verify this experience. AIPB and NACPB each have different educational and professional requirements to obtain certification.