In addition, you’ll be listed on the Find-a-ProAdvisor website so that small businesses that need to hire a QuickBooks Pro can find you. If you’re interested in learning more, read our article about how to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. After successfully passing the exam and meeting all of the requirements, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. You’ll also be able to put the letters “CPB,” which stand for certified public bookkeeper, behind your name. You can include this in your email signatures, on business cards, social media sites, and all of your marketing materials to promote your achievement.

  • Some bookkeepers pursue certified bookkeeper certifications offered by two national bookkeeping associations.
  • Plan to invest at least 12 to 16 hours of study time to prepare for the exam, which consists of 80 questions.
  • Xero Advisor certification shows you how to use all of the core features of the software, from setup to bank reconciliation and reporting.
  • Accountants and auditors are typically required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree (BLS, September 2022).

They do this for businesses and organizations, ensuring accuracy in financial statements. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the job market for bookkeepers to decline by about 3% between 2020 and 2030. However, it’s not https://accounting-services.net/america-s-1-bookkeeper-license/ all gloom, as the report also predicts 170,200 new bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing job openings every year over the decade. Ultimately, your circumstance determines whether a bookkeeping certification would be worth it for you.

Candidates for CPB licensure need to demonstrate a minimum of one year or 2,000 hours of bookkeeping or accounting experience. Employers or clients must fill out a form attesting to the candidate’s work. These requirements are the same for all U.S. professionals, regardless of state residency. However, employers in other countries may not recognize AIPB or NACPB credentials. Bookkeepers working internationally should research other globally recognized credentialing options. Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams.

The majority of RESP account holders are parents but in some cases, grandparents, guardians, or friends of the family can also set up an account. The PB (certified professional bookkeeper) issued by Universal Accounting Center (UAC)- Trains on small business bookkeeping, marketing and how to start a business. The Certification assures employers of your bookkeeping knowledge and skill. A big question is whether bookkeepers are as regulated as accountants.

Expand Your Job Opportunities

To maintain the CB credential, you must fulfill 60 continuing education credits every three years. To qualify for the CPB license, you need to accumulate 2,000 hours or one year of experience in the field. 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.

  • Here are a few things to consider before obtaining a bookkeeping certification.
  • When you’re ready to take the exam, go to NACPB’s Schedule an Exam web page and schedule the date and time you want to take the exam.
  • Employers are less likely to ask for certified evidence of your skills if you’ve been working as a bookkeeper for years.
  • Access to the free practice test is sent to the email address you provide below.
  • For example, bookkeepers should know how to work with existing and emerging software including Microsoft Excel, Payroll and Quickbooks.

Most employers don’t require their employees to produce the license or certification, especially if they have prior experience in the field. However, credentials come in handy if you’re venturing into this field for the first time or want to be different from the crowd. Regardless of which bookkeeping certification you pursue, we recommend taking a preparatory course. Both AIPB and NACPB require previous bookkeeping experience to qualify for their courses. Professionals must complete 24 hours of approved continuing professional education each year.

What Is Needed to Maintain the Bookkeeping Certification?

Apart from these two, you may also find your bookkeeping certification online. Besides, you can register with a recognized traditional college offering related courses. Earning a bookkeeping certification involves weeks of studying, hours of test preparation and a significant financial investment. Additionally, maintaining a bookkeeping certification from NACPB or AIPB requires continuing professional development. The answer depends on where you are in your career, along with a few other factors.

There are two significant ways of getting a bookkeeping license or certification in the USA. The first is by applying at the National Association of Certified Bookkeepers (NACPB). The other way is via the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). The BLS projects employment for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks to decline by 3% by 2030. Even so, the BLS projects an average of 170,200 openings per year for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.

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After working in the field for at least a year, CPAs also need to take an exam. To meet the requirements for the CPA exam, some professionals enroll in master’s in accounting programs. Other bookkeepers finish their high school diplomas and then seek on-the-job training. To prove they possess certain skills, they may also complete one or both professional bookkeeping certificates available.

How Do You Register for the Bookkeeper Certification Exam?

Microcredential programs allow professionals to attain new skills without pursuing collegiate study. The programs are often entirely online, providing easy and convenient access to educational materials, testing platforms, and more. These certificate programs equip professionals with the skills they need to do their job well and stand out among other job candidates. Students who pursue certificates like these will acquire career fortifying skills. You can then use this in your email signature, on your business cards, social media sites, and other marketing materials. This will let potential clients know that you’re qualified, which will generate new leads and allow you to negotiate higher billing rates.

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Employers seek the best talent, and certification signals a commitment to the profession and continuing excellence. When you become a Certified Bookkeeper (CB), you will have the advanced bookkeeping skills and bookkeeping knowledge that can do wonders for your bookkeeping career. To understand the training materials, you should be a working bookkeeper or have 1 year of college accounting or the equivalent.

Another qualification necessary is the practice license to run bookkeeping as a business legally. Coursework and other continuing education programs support skill development and encourage professional networking, which can also expand your job opportunities. 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.