AIPBs Certified Bookkeeper CB Online Course American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers

When you feel you have enough education, you can begin applying for jobs or start your own bookkeeping business. You will need to learn how to start a bookkeeping business in your location, such as how to file for a license if you choose to have an in-person office. 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. As a financial professional, your credibility is key and a major factor in attracting or retaining clients.

QuickBooks ProAdvisors will also be able to use a certification badge on all marketing materials. You can also become certified through local or online college courses or specialize in particular accounting software. We have evaluated each of these programs to help you determine the best one for you.

What’s the Time Commitment for a Bookkeeping Certification?

AIPB offers a series of six self-paced classes and accompanying workbooks, all of which are part of AIPB’s CB preparatory course. AIPB also has extra courses for sale, such as mastering double-entry bookkeeping. You do not need a formal education to go through the AIPB’s certification process.However, NACPB recommends a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related industry to earn the CPB license. If you opt to pursue certification through a college or university, check with your chosen school’s admissions office to verify the length of the program. Some programs are asynchronous, meaning you’ll pace yourself throughout the course, and you don’t have to log in at any particular time.

The primary difference between the AIPB’s certification and NACPB’s license is the resulting title. Those credentialed by AIPB earn the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation. Those who earn licensure through NACPB gain the Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) title. Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy.

First Career Path to Become a Bookkeeper: Earn a Degree

As an independent business owner, you’ll have to learn how to do your freelancing taxes too. You’ll be dealing with a lot of financial data and numbers in this career path. If you’re not a numbers person, it may be worth practicing some basic accounting and math skills to prepare for this type of career. In 2023, the average bookkeeper in the United States earned an annual salary of $43,748.

• A typical bookkeeping certification course takes several weeks to complete.
• This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
• Candidates can then finish the final two parts at home in a workbook.
• Dr. Iyad Nasr is the CEO and founder of the London House of Consultants.
• While most bookkeepers work with businesses, some individuals may also choose to hire a bookkeeper to track personal finances.
• Bookkeeping is a great place to start if you’re hoping for a way to break into the finance industry.

Still, completing one or both of the licensing processes demonstrates that job applicants possess skills and competencies employers need. So, bookkeepers who can add «CPB» or «CB» after their names may be more competitive than other candidates. A bookkeeping certification qualified bookkeeper is an official demonstration of a person’s bookkeeping skills. 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.

How to become a qualified bookkeeper

Here are a few things to consider before obtaining a bookkeeping certification. Accountants, on the other hand, take the data generated by bookkeepers and turn it into actionable insights. Accountants analyze financial trends and provide companies with a strategy for maintaining their financial health.

Read on to learn about eligibility, examination, and continuing education requirements for CPB or CB certification. Both the AIPB and the NACPB support the bookkeeping profession, offer membership benefits, and provide professional development opportunities. Both CPB and CB credentials are widely recognized and respected in 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.

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. As an alternative to accounting, bookkeeping is an appealing field for professionals who want to work with financial statements and computers. This profession has fewer entry-level requirements than accounting, meaning that individuals may be able to become bookkeepers more quickly than they would accountants.