Why You Should Consider Becoming a Bookkeeper

In my opinion, doing bookkeeping and accounting is a very, very important role in a business and it’s not something to be taken lightly, because you are dealing with that business owner’s finances. It affects whether they’re able to make good decisions for their business based on the financial reports that you are working on. Again, all based on the financial data that they are getting https://www.bookstime.com/ out of their accounting system. Keep in mind that if you’re the bookkeeper, you’re the one who has a lot of control over what that financial data and those reports look like. So, I hope this helps you to understand what all it takes to become a bookkeeper and to have a successful bookkeeping business. The distinctions between accounting and bookkeeping are subtle yet essential.

For example, the client is responsible for entering transactions. Customers schedule an appointment to have a bookkeeper review their transactions, and  multiple schedules are available to choose from. You will have access to a client management portal, and can communicate with customers through video conferencing and messaging. QuickBooks Live connects bookkeepers with small businesses that need help doing their books. Some tasks QuickBooks Live bookkeepers perform include providing assistance in setting up charts of accounts, categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, preparing financial reports, and more. If you’re interested in being a freelance virtual bookkeeper, you can sign up for freelance marketplace websites to connect with potential clients.

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If you are serious about becoming a certified bookkeeper, I highly recommend taking the free online class the moms took FIRST to see if this profession is right for you. After interviewing Kirstin and finding out she has 9 kids and homeschools 6 of them, I believe if you want to become a successful bookkeeper, you CAN, it just depends on you. If so, you’re in the right place because we’re going to show you exactly how from TWO successful Bookkeepers who started without any previous experience. Work through the big decisions around accreditation, services to offer, fees to charge, and how to find clients. You’ll need some training and certification to become a professional bookkeeper. However, having a certification can be helpful when you are building your client base.

• If you have a love of numbers and technology, are detail-oriented, analytical and a good planner, then you stand to do well as a bookkeeper.
• However, having a certification can be helpful when you are building your client base.
• Because each transaction is recorded in two accounts that match but cancel each other out, this can be considered a “double-check” for your books.
• An accountant will use the data to create reports and determine the financial next steps for the business.
• Intuit provides its employees with supplemental learning materials after training has been completed to assist employees in developing their skills.
• Enrolling in a certificate program may be the best option for aspiring bookkeepers with bachelor’s degrees in another field who want to add this skill set to their toolkit.

The good news is that you can do bookkeeping training from the comfort of your home. There are a lot of cheap bookkeeping courses online and a lot of free content too. You can find bookkeeping courses on standard bookkeeping work tools like bookkeeping software and financial reports.

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As you can see, those who wish to work as bookkeepers generally need a solid comprehension of accounting principles and GAAP. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook, some of the most in-demand accounting jobs include comptroller, accounting manager, senior tax accountant, and internal auditors. If you are proficient and comfortable using mathematics and computing figures, plus punctual, organized, and detail-oriented, it is not hard to learn how to be a bookkeeper. Of course, a background in accounting practices will help you ride out a learning curve as a new bookkeeper. As a business leader, you should have a good idea of which professionals best suit the needs of your company. As such, it’s important to know whether you need a bookkeeper or an accountant to keep track of your affairs.

If you need help getting used to new software updates or changes in technology, or if you can’t learn these skills quickly, you might have trouble with the role being offered. The two most important parts of keeping the books for a small business are entering data and balancing bank accounts. The trade-in of a car is a great example of a business situation that calls for analytical skills.

Can I teach myself to be a bookkeeper?

Freelance jobs can range from quick temporary projects to long-term employment. However, they may be less likely to offer training or educational opportunities. As more people move to working from home, freelancing, or starting their own businesses, you may want to learn how to become a virtual bookkeeper. A virtual bookkeeper must meet the same educational requirements as an in-house or in-person bookkeeper. Therefore, you should consider the education opportunities discussed above. A bookkeeping certificate can help you find a bookkeeping role, either as an in-house bookkeeper or as a freelancer.

If you’re good with numbers and data, then learning to become a bookkeeper from home can be perfect for you. Spend your days organizing the numbers, creating data for clients, and solving problems for them. Becoming a bookkeeper doesn’t mean clients will be knocking on your virtual door each day asking for your services. There will be a need to cold pitch businesses or apply to positions online. QuickBooks Live bookkeepers work between 20 to 40 hours per week.

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But if you go through this program, you would have the foundation to then learn QBO on your own. Several of my Life By the Books™ students have chosen to add this on to enhance and narrow down their technical skills. But if you are 100%  confident with your technical skills (debits, credits, how to do the work itself and do it efficiently), then Life By the Books™ is the right fit for you.

If you’re a seasoned bookkeeper, however, a bookkeeping certification may not be worth it. With years of experience under your belt, it’s likely that you already have the skills and credibility required to do your job well. Employers are less likely to ask for certified https://www.bookstime.com/articles/should-i-become-a-bookkeeper-or-an-accountant evidence of your skills if you’ve been working as a bookkeeper for years. What’s more, a bookkeeping certification will help you hone your skills and provide more in-depth job training. This also provides a competitive advantage for bookkeepers beginning their careers.

What is a Bookkeeping Certification?

The site doubles as a comprehensive career information resource. Bookkeeping attracts finance-oriented people with strong attention to detail and solid math skills. Personally, I recommend focusing on one general ledger software.

Expert advice and resources for today’s accounting professionals. Just as you will advise all your prospective clients to implement good business processes and systems, you should do the same. It’s easier to implement processes at the beginning than trying to put out fires when you get too busy.

How to become a bookkeeper: Look for internships or on-the-job opportunities while in training

However, bookkeepers will face pressure from automation and technology that will reduce the demand for such workers. 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. Your credentials show prospective employers that you’re a qualified bookkeeper and you’re willing and able to grow professionally.