How to Become a Bookkeeper in Alaska

Bookkeepers hold an important role in a company.

They have a background in business, accountancy, and even bookkeeping.

They are sometimes confused with accountants since the jobs are similar.

If you wonder if you’re a good candidate for this job, just think about your skills in math and how much attention you pay to details.

For more details about this occupation, then read this article I put together!

How to Become a Bookkeeper – Step by Step

These professionals need to be certified in this field.

Future bookkeepers have 2 paths to follow for certification:

• Education
• Practice

These paths have some elements in common, as we’ll see below.

Step 1 – Earn Your High School Diploma

This step is a no-brainer because very few employers hire people without a high school diploma or GED.

Both paths require this step.

Step 2 Education – Earn a Degree

Some bookkeepers earn degrees to look better in the eyes of employers.

There are also bookkeepers who don’t care about degrees.

However, those choosing the educational path are required to attend some postsecondary classes, according to BLS.

There are 2 degrees available for this occupation:

• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree

These degrees have to be in either accountancy or business.

Step 3 Education – Gain on-the-job Training

Training on the job is important for future bookkeepers.

For those who chose this path, the training lasts for 6 months.

You’ll have to get used to the software used by the company during this period, at the required speed.

Step 2 Practice – Gain Experience

For the 2nd step of the practice path, you must accumulate 1 or 2 years of experience before you become certified.

These are the certification options, along with the needed experience:

• Licensure by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (or AIPB), after 2 years of practice
• Certification from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (or NACPB), after 1 year of experience

Step 3 Practice – Earn the Credentials

Earning at least 1 credential is often enough, though earning both is even better.

The credentials have been mentioned above and they’re recognized at the national level.

To get either certification, you’ll have to pass 4 exams:

• 2 of them are offered at specific testing centers
• The other 2 are workbook open-book

Bookkeepers who chose the educational path can also sit through these 4 exams to become certified and/or licensed.

These credentials must be renewed every year by completing 24 hours of continuing education.

Bookkeeping Programs in Alaska

Next, we’ll learn more about the bookkeeping programs available in this state.

According to accountingdegreesonline.org, you can find the following degrees available in this state:

• 5 Associates,
• 9 Bachelors,
• 4 Masters

University of Alaska Fairbanks

At this university, you’ll attend a bookkeeping technician program.

The program is available online, making it easier for students to attend.

This course is meant to be completed in a single semester, but those interested can continue the program to obtain an associate’s degree or even a bachelor’s degree.

The 2nd degree has 120 credit hours.

If students want to only attend the one-semester program, they’ll obtain an occupational endorsement.

Students will have to pay $4,575 for the program.

University of Alaska Anchorage

Students enrolling in the program offered here have the possibility of earning an AAS in accountancy.

Classes can be attended both in the daytime and the evening, to accommodate working students.

The program has a duration of 2 years and a total of 60 credits.

You can attend this course at the Anchorage campus, Mat-Su College, and Kodiak College, as well.

Alaska Career College

This college has a program called Business Administration
and Accounting Technology at the level of associate’s degree.

At this college, you can earn an associate’s degree in Business Administration
and Accounting Technology.

The classes are available online as well as in person.

For the in-person classes, you can attend in the daytime or the evening.

Remember that with the daytime classes, you can complete the program in 14 months.

With the evening classes, you’ll have to study for 21 months.

Bookkeeper Salary in Alaska

At this point, it’s normal that you want to know just how much you can earn as a bookkeeper.

Bookkeepers in Alaska earn, on average, about $48,140 per annum.

A variety of elements will affect how much you’ll earn, though.

Let’s see in which cities the salaries are higher!

Regional Salary in Alaska

Bookkeeper Schools by State