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Bookkeepers and accountants are super important for businesses.
Even though they do kinda similar stuff, each has a special role in handling money stuff.
In Iowa, if you wanna be a bookkeeper, having experience in business or accounting is a big plus.
Being good at math and staying organized are key skills for anyone who wants to be a bookkeeper.
Keep reading this guide to find out more if you like numbers and keeping things tidy!
Article Table of Contents
How to Become a Bookkeeper – Step by Step
Getting certified is crucial if you wanna be a successful bookkeeper.
You can become certified in two main ways:
- By hitting the books.
- By getting hands-on experience.
These methods have three steps and some things in common.
Let’s check out these steps to get a better picture!
Step 1 – Earn Your High School Diploma
Having a high school diploma or something like that is essential for landing a job in this field.
It’s even more important if you’re thinking about heading to college at a later date.
If getting a high school diploma feels like a big challenge, you can always go for a GED instead.
Step 2 Education – Earn a Degree
Although it’s not a must-have, having a degree can make it simpler to find a job.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), having a degree is required for this career.
You have a few options for degrees:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
Out of these, a master’s degree is less common for bookkeepers.
However, it’s worth mentioning because it makes you stand out as a bookkeeper.
If you’re wondering where to get your education, we’ll discuss some schools later on.
Step 3 Education – Train on-the-job
Before you start working as a bookkeeper, you need to go through some training.
You can learn while you work, and the this period does not last longer than half a year.
If you’re studying, it’s important to learn how to use the company’s bookkeeping software.
You also need to work on being faster and better at handling the company’s financial transactions.
Step 2 Practice – Gain Experience
To become a bookkeeper, you gotta get licensed.
But before that, you gotta rack up some on-the-job experience.
When it’s time to get certified, you have two options:
- You can snag a license from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) after clocking in 2 years of work.
- Or you can get certified by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) with just 12 months of experience.
Step 3 Practice – Earn the Credentials
You should know that getting either certification is ok, as all of them are nationally recognized
You need to take 4 tests for every license, which adds to a total of eight exams if you get both.
You are allowed to take two of the exams at testing places, while the other tests allow you to read from the manual.
These exam spots are being run by Prometric.
After you get your license, you will also have to keep it valid.
For that to happen, you will need to attend an additional 24 hours of classes.
Bookkeeping Programs in Iowa
Next, let’s check out the bookkeeping programs in this state.
Iowa Lakes Community College 
This program lasts for 12 months and is crafted to guide you toward becoming a certified bookkeeper.
Luckily, this is a program offered 100% online.
By the program’s end, you will have the skills needed to pass the Certified Professional Bookkeeper exam, handled by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB).
This certification will be helpful for your resume and ensure you find your first job fast.
Some of the classes include learning about payroll, billing, and financial reports.
There are 26 credits to accumulate.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Iowa Lakes Community College | online program |
Bookkeeper Salary in Iowa
After you are done with schooling, we can look into the earnings of bookkeepers in Iowa.
Based on info from salary.com, the usual yearly wage for bookkeepers in Iowa is around 42,305 bucks.
Your paycheck might vary based on your level of education, your experience level, and where you are located.
If you’re wondering which cities dish out higher pay for bookkeepers, check out the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | $43,896 |
| Little Cedar | $43,896 |
| Pleasant Hill | $42,880 |
| Des Moines | $42,880 |
| Waukee | $42,835 |
| Granger | $42,747 |
| Hartford | $42,746 |
| Ackworth | $42,703 |
| Swan | $42,659 |
| Patterson | $42,614 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 380 | $48,290 | $23.22 | $65,520 | $32,280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,400 | $49,070 | $23.59 | $63,850 | $34,690 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 1,610 | $47,180 | $22.69 | $62,870 | $31,200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 4,130 | $49,570 | $23.83 | $64,130 | $34,380 |
| Dubuque, IA | 590 | $45,640 | $21.94 | $61,280 | $30,000 |
| Iowa City, IA | 710 | $47,980 | $23.07 | $65,830 | $29,660 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 920 | $45,560 | $21.9 | $60,320 | $31,350 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 730 | $46,510 | $22.36 | $62,070 | $31,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does education and employment must be in a classroom or office, for bookkeepers in Iowa?
As seen from the presentation above, classes can take place either in person or, more commonly, entirely online.
In terms of employment, this presents a perfect opportunity for bookkeepers to work from home or elsewhere in the city.
Both office and remote work options have their advantages and disadvantages.
Office:
- Various types of distractions
- Potential for better concentration
- Additional tasks may arise
- Limited ability to change sitting position
Remote (Home):
- Potential for fewer distractions
- Ability to concentrate in a comfortable environment
- Freedom to adjust tasks and schedule
- Freedom to change sitting position as desired
Are bookkeepers in high demand in Iowa?
Absolutely!
The demand for accountants, bookkeepers, and other specialists in this field is high.
Finding employment should indeed be easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
What skills are needed by bookkeepers in Iowa?
If you want to be a successful bookkeeper in Iowa you must possess the following skills:
- Attention to detail
- Proficiency in invoicing procedures
- Critical thinking abilities
- Strong organizational skills
- Effective communication skills
- Efficient time management
Read the full guide: How to Become a Bookkeeper
Bookkeeper Schools by State