How to Become a Bookkeeper in New Jersey

Every business needs someone to handle money, like a bookkeeper or an accountant.

Even though they’re confused, bookkeepers and accountants have different roles.

To be a bookkeeper in New Jersey, you should understand business, accounting, or bookkeeping.

If you want to be a bookkeeper, be good at math and organized.

If you’re interested, keep reading this guide to learn more!

How to Become a Bookkeeper – Step by Step

It’s crucial to know that getting certified is necessary.

You can become certified in two ways:

• Through Education
• Through Practice

Each path has three steps, and they have some similarities.

Let’s examine these steps more closely to understand them better!

Step 1 – High School Diploma

A high school diploma or something similar is important for finding a job.

It’s extra important if you plan to go to college after high school.

This applies to both paths you can take to become a bookkeeper.

Step 2 Education – Earn a Degree

While you don’t have to earn one, having a degree shows dedication to the field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you need a degree if you’re taking the education route.

You can pick from:

• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree

Not many bookkeepers go for a master’s, but it’s good to know about it.

Now, let’s explore schools where you can earn these degrees.

Step 3 Education – Train on-the-job

Getting training before you start working is important.

Unlike the Practice path, this on-the-job training only lasts for 6 months.

If you’re going the education route, you’ll have to learn how the company’s bookkeeping software operates.

You’ll also need to work faster to keep up with the company’s transactions.

Step 2 Practice – Gain Experience

In the hands-on path, the next move is to get certified after you’ve got enough experience.

You have two options for certification:

• Getting licensed by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) requires 2 years of experience.
• Getting certified by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) requires 1 year of experience.

Step 3 Practice – Earn the Credentials

Both certifications are recognized nationwide.

Each certification requires you to pass four exams. So, if you’re aiming for both, you’ll take a total of eight tests.

Two exams are held at certain testing centers, while the other two allow you to use open books.

These testing centers belong to Prometric.

Even if you’re studying, you can still get certified.

After you’re certified, you must complete 24 hours of learning each year to maintain your certification.

Bookkeeping Programs in New Jersey

As we previously mentioned, the next step you have to take is to attend a program.

Here are the programs for bookkeepers that are available in New Jersey:

New Jersey Institute Of Bookkeepers

This institute offers several bookkeeping classes.

One of them is the Bookkeeping -From Beginners to Certified.

This program lasts for 45 hours and costs $2,000.

You will learn how to work with Accounting and Taxes.

Here are some of the included subjects:

• Depreciation
• Payroll
• Financial Statements
• Inventor
• Bank Reconciliations
• Fraud

Other related courses that would help you in your career, are:

• Bookkeeping Basics with a duration of 28 hours
  • It costs $500
• Certified Bookkeeping Designation lasting for 25 hours
  • It costs $1,200
• Understanding Financial Statements with a duration of 5 hours, and costing $299
• Using Excel for Accounting and Bookkeeping, lasting for 6 hours, and with a price tag of $299

Raritan Valley Community College

The Bookkeeping Certificate is for students who want to start a career in bookkeeping or add to their skills as accountants.

You can finish this program in one year if you study full-time.

With the Bookkeeping Certificate, you’ll learn everything you need to become a full-charge bookkeeper.

Along with accounting classes, you’ll also take business, communication, and computer technology courses.

The credits you earn can count toward a 2-year A.A.S. Accounting degree at the college.

While some classes from the Bookkeeping Certificate may transfer to a four-year college, this program isn’t meant for transfer.

If you plan to transfer and become a professional accountant with a bachelor’s degree, you should join the A.S. Business Administration program.

For the CPA exam, you need a bachelor’s degree.

Bookkeeper Salary in New Jersey

Let’s find out how much bookkeepers in New Jersey earn.

According to data from salary.com, the average yearly salary for bookkeepers in New Jersey is about $48,450.

This number can vary each year for various reasons.

Check out the table below to see which cities bookkeepers typically earn higher salaries.

Regional Salary in New Jersey

Bookkeeper Schools by State