Your job as a bookkeeper entails systematically keeping track of an organization’s financial transactions. For the information to be reported as a financial statement, it needs to be identified, accepted, classified, and recorded. Learn more about bookkeeping, how it differs from accounting, the required qualifications, and bookkeeping jobs and salaries. In an office setting, bookkeepers typically work in a quiet and organized workspace, often alongside other accounting professionals.
- Learning how to become a bookkeeper is also a great career choice if you like the idea of working remotely.
- While a certificate is not a requirement to become a bookkeeper, some professionals pursue certification to show their skills to employers and stand out in their job search.
- Some provide free and low-cost resources, while others may be more expensive but provide more knowledge.
- Integrity and trustworthiness are important qualities to cultivate as a bookkeeper.
- Though bookkeepers don’t need to hold college degrees, some may see their salaries increase after completing an undergraduate degree.
Small businesses may prefer to handle their books themselves, but hiring a professional bookkeeper can be helpful. In retail or other non-office environments, bookkeepers may work in a back-office or stockroom area, away from customers and other employees. They may be responsible for managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling cash and credit card transactions. Your Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional badge can be used to show any employer or client that you have an understanding of bookkeeping and accounting.
QuickBooks
When you complete this course, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of accounting principles and an introduction to QuickBooks Online. On average, it takes about four months to complete the professional certificate on a part-time basis of less than four hours of study per week. However, if you have time to devote more time each week to online learning, you can complete Intuit’s bookkeeping certificate in less time. The process of maintaining certification can help you keep your skills sharp over time as well. To renew your certification, you must complete continuing coursework, attend professional development programs and take part in training workshops. While these requirements may sound tedious, they could benefit your career in the long term.
Bookkeepers are important professionals in today’s economic and financial fields. Every company, even a small one, requires bookkeeping to maintain a healthy financial position. If you’re interested in being professional bookkeeper 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.
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For example, a certification from California State University, Fullerton costs $2,195. As for certification from AIPB, members pay $479, and nonmembers pay $574. The price of this certification includes the cost of enrollment, workbooks and the four-part national certification exam.
Once you have a few years of experience in bookkeeping, you might seek additional training to become an accountant or pursue another business-oriented role. The bookkeeper job description entails maintaining the general ledger and accounts, recording transactions, posting debits and credits, running payroll and creating invoices. To be an accountant, you generally need education requirements like a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Bookkeepers who are interested in switching jobs but do not have a college degree might consider becoming an EA after a stint with the IRS.
Bookkeeper job description
You can become a bookkeeper right out of high school if you prove you are good with numbers and have strong attention to detail. In fact, many aspiring accountants work as bookkeepers to get a foot in the door while still in school. Bookkeepers who excel at their jobs are also sometimes promoted to accounting positions, even if they lack the level of education the company typically prefers.
You know what a bookkeeper does and what their day-to-day responsibilities look like. But how do these job duties translate as benefits for your business? A bookkeeper can help ensure your business finances are organized and lets you focus on running and growing your small business. Start building the professional skills you need to get a job as a bookkeeper in under four months with the Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn at your own pace from industry experts while getting hands-on experience working through real-world accounting scenarios. Certifications aren’t necessary to become a bookkeeper but can signal to employers that you have the training and knowledge to meet industry standards.