How to Become a Bookkeeper A Complete Guide

If you become a QuickBooks Live bookkeeper, you can work from home based upon an agreed schedule at a set hourly rate based on your location, interview, and experience level. Bookkeeping can be challenging when you first start, but many organizations offer on-the-job training to make the transition easier. After becoming familiar with the accounts and software, the role should be relatively straightforward. Yes — you can learn bookkeeping on your own by reading material or watching online tutorials. However, learning the profession in a more formal educational environment can help if you don’t learn well independently.

Types of Remote Bookkeeper Jobs

The median salary for these roles is also higher than for bookkeepers at $79,880 per year 6. If you’re interested in becoming a QuickBooks Live bookkeeper, Intuit can provide you with the tools necessary to learn bookkeeping and accounting skills and get certified. Get started by signing up for the Intuit Bookkeeping Certification program today. If you’re interested in being a freelance virtual bookkeeper, you can sign up for freelance marketplace websites to connect with potential clients.

Step 3: Learn How to Use Accounting Software

Financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows) are the scoreboard for business. If a business owners doesn’t have up-to-date, accurate and custom financial statements, they’re operating in the dark. They may not always be actively looking for one, but at some https://www.bookstime.com/articles/audit-report point, they’ll need someone to manage their financial statements. Even while you’re still learning how to become a bookkeeper, you must already exercise these three key traits.

Pathways to a bookkeeping career

Bookkeepers assist with maintaining records and analyzing companies’ financial health. Professionals may perform multiple tasks, including record-keeping, cash flow management, and payroll. Accounting department employees should have generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) knowledge, logic, and the ability to pay attention to details. Companies of all sizes need accounting assistance, including multinational corporations and small businesses.

What Subjects Are Studied In Bookkeeping Courses?

Bookkeepers typically handle the day-to-day finances of a business. You can become a bookkeeper right after high school, but you may need to take some college courses first, which could take a few months or more. Aim to network during your internship and with your classmates, faculty members, and program alumni.

What Services Are Offered By Bookkeepers?

Make sure to bring proper identification and any required materials on exam day. After completing part one net sales of the CB exam, repeat this process to take part two. Note that NACPB’s bookkeeping certification is different from its CPB license. In terms of hiring potential, there is little difference between the two designations. Both are nationally recognized and well-regarded by accounting professionals. The first is the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and the second is the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).

National Recognition

• There are free resources all over the internet that can teach you everything you need to know.
• Think about each factor and prioritize the ones that are most important to you.
• Gaining professional experience builds a great resume and helps you prepare for a career in bookkeeping.
• And with no requirements for special certification and education, there are almost no downsides to seeing if it’s a good fit.
• You can also find remote jobs on job board websites such as Indeed.

You will receive a certificate of completion when you pass the final exam which you can showcase to clients and colleagues. Each CPB exam includes 50 questions, which examinees must finish in two hours or less. As of May 2025, NACPB has set fees at $80 for members and $100 for non-members. I didn’t go to what felt like the traditional route of going to a Big Four accounting firm. I remember talking to the manager at my first job before they hired me. Highlight key skills like QuickBooks proficiency and attention to detail.

Previous work experience makes finding clients as a bookkeeping business owner much easier. These don’t require you to go to school or gain any special training, but they may be skills you’ll need to develop over time. AIPB offers a series of six self-paced classes and accompanying workbooks, all of which are part of AIPB’s should i become a bookkeeper CB preparatory course. AIPB also has extra courses for sale, such as mastering double-entry bookkeeping. There are many opportunities to work in a salaried position from home to gain on-the-job training. The Intuit Tax and Bookkeeping Talent Community is a great place to find remote bookkeeping jobs and access training material.

• AI-powered tools can automate routine tasks, such as categorizing transactions and reconciling accounts, freeing up bookkeepers to focus on more strategic activities.
• Bookkeeping is an increasingly competitive field, particularly in the digital era when new technology is redefining this position in a number of ways.
• After you’ve learned everything you need to know about becoming a bookkeeper, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• Therefore being able to work both independently and as part of a team is an important skill.
• The CFI courses offer practical skills, templates, and tools to enhance your accounting knowledge.

Still, the high number of jobs and limited requirements make bookkeeping a strong entry point into the accounting field. While working as a bookkeeper, you can gain experience in tax preparation, auditing, and even financial analysis, which is useful when you decide to advance your career. Your credentials show prospective employers that you’re a qualified bookkeeper and you’re willing and able to grow professionally.