How to Become a Bookkeeper in 2024 Next Steps + Requirements

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should i become a bookkeeper

If you’re interested in an analytical, business-minded career, becoming a bookkeeper (especially a virtual bookkeeper) might be the right choice. And with no requirements for special certification and education, there are almost no downsides to seeing if it’s a good fit. Although should i become a bookkeeper you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, it can make you more competitive. Only 12% of entry-level bookkeepers have a bachelor’s degree, so having one is an easy way to gain an advantage. Consider a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance.

Freelance jobs can range from quick temporary projects to long-term employment. However, they may be less likely to offer training or educational opportunities. Bookkeepers and accountants are both critical for the financial health of a company. If you’re not tracking daily expenses, you’ll have very little information to give to your accountant and they won’t be able to make informed decisions. If you’re only focusing on expenses and not big-picture financial data, you’ll miss out on some strategic opportunities. Accountants advise leadership on how to make more strategic financial changes that save the company money or generate more profit.

Second Career Path: Get Experience

For preparatory courses and workbooks, AIPB charges $254 for members and $314 for members. The final two parts of the exam are free and included in the workbooks. The cost to become a CPB includes four courses and their respective exams. If you purchase these materials as a bundle, they cost $1,276 in total for members, and $1,596 for nonmembers. Requirements for CB certification are more extensive, as they ask for at least 3,000 hours of experience or two years of bookkeeping or accounting experience.

  • LinkedIn Learning is an online education platform run by the social media company LinkedIn.
  • Bookkeepers are responsible for recording financial transactions related to the business.
  • The overall best bookkeeping software includes Zoho Books, FreshBooks, Xero, and Intuit QuickBooks.
  • You just need to be able to demonstrate that you have the skills to handle the tasks your clients need.
  • At the same time, the number of predicted bookkeeping job openings per year over that period is 197,600.
  • These courses focus on bookkeeping fundamentals to help improve bookkeeping knowledge and skills.
  • Bookkeepers are hired by every single kind of business, nonprofit, and government agency.

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. The first is the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and the second is the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).