by Updated on | $ Online Certificate Programs: $500.00 - $2,500.00 | $ $ Community College or Vocational Training Programs: $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 |
Are you a detail-oriented person who enjoys crunching numbers and taking on tough financial tasks like reconciling credit cards and bank statements?
If using your analytical and critical thinking skills and paying close attention to financial details sounds like your dream job, starting a new career as a Bookkeeper could be the right career move for you!
Learn more about the role of today’s bookkeepers, take a peek into their daily duties and tasks, and find out how much bookkeeper training typically costs in the US in the guide below.
What Do Bookkeepers Do?
The most important thing to understand before embarking on a new career as a Financial Clerk is to understand the role of a Bookkeeper and learn what they do.
While some Financial Clerks work independently and run their businesses, other bookkeepers are integral components of financial and accounting teams.
They are typically tasked with tracking, recording, and reporting incoming and outgoing financial transactions and maintaining accurate financial records.
Bookkeeper’s Daily Tasks
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Financial Records Maintenance
- Recording and Entering Financial Transactions
- Reconciling Bank and Credit Card Statements
- Payroll Processing
- Preparing Financial Statements
- Tax Filings and Compliance
- Tracking Company Budgets and Expenses
America’s latest BLS report projects the number of bookkeepers in the US to decline slightly.
However, there is an ongoing need to fill the positions of current bookkeepers leaving their positions due to retirement, illness, and other factors leaving room for incoming accounting clerks with the skills and experience to fill these abandoned posts.
Today’s accounting and reconciliation experts can be found providing services for multiple clients at large accounting and bookkeeping firms, small-to-medium-sized businesses, government agencies, healthcare agencies, and freelancers working remotely on their own schedules.
Bookkeeper Training
While it is possible for bookkeepers with years of experience or on-the-job training to enter the field right out of high school, most employers prefer some form of higher education training or certification before they hire in an official capacity.
Aspiring Accountants can seek training via local colleges, universities, Workforce Development Departments, Employer-Sponsored Training, and top Bookkeeping certification agencies.
The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers are two well-known agencies that offer certification-based training for prospective Bookkeeping associates in the United States.
Bookkeeper Training Courses
- Accounting
- Adjusting Entries
- Bank Reconciliation
- Correction of Accounting Errors
- Depreciation
- How to Read Financial Statements
- Income Tax Basics
- Internal Controls and Fraud Prevention
- Payroll Management
- Preparing Financial Statements
The costs of bookkeeper training and education will depend on the type of training program students are enrolled in.
For example, self-paced online diploma or certificate programs will likely be less expensive to complete than degree programs and courses offered through larger colleges and universities.
Bookkeeper Salary Average – US
America’s BLS says that the average annual salary of US Bookkeepers was around $47,440.00 per year last year.
Higher-earning Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks with more years of experience on the job and industry certifications can earn as much as $68,860.00 per year.
The lowest 10% of Professional Bookkeepers and Accountants bring in just over $32,000.00 per year.
Bookkeepers with specialized skills, and certifications, and those working for larger and higher-paying employees can earn a lucrative living with salary, benefits, and bonuses included.
How Much Does Bookkeeper Training Cost?
The cost of bookkeeping education will vary depending on several factors, including the length and type of education and training sought.
Program type is another crucial determining factor in estimating the cost of Professional Bookkeeper Training.
Aspiring bookkeepers in the US should consider the following when estimating the costs of attending bookkeeper’s school.
- Bookkeeping Software (Quickbooks or Excel) $100.00 – $500.00
- Community College or Vocational Training Programs: $1,000.00 – $5,000.00
- Certification Exam Costs: $400.00 – $1,600.00 per certification
- Online Certificate Programs: $500.00 – $2,500.00
- Professional Certification Fees: $400.00 – $1,500.00
- Textbooks and Study Materials: $100.00 – $300.00 per course
Costs of paying for some Bookkeeper training programs can be offset with monthly payment plans, employer-sponsored credits, and financial aid options for qualified students.
Prospective students with concerns about how to finance
Bookkeeper training should talk to the program director and the financial aid department of their selected program to learn if any available payment options meet their needs and budget before committing to a program.
Completing a Bookkeeper training or certification program can help aspiring Financial Clerks begin a well-paying career with advancement opportunities that increase with time and on-the-job experience.
Key Takeaways
- Bookkeepers Are Highly Analytical Finance Clerks who are Important Members of Financial Teams.
- Becoming a Bookkeeper Can Cost Between $1,000.00 – $5,000.00 Depending on Your Selected Training Program.
- Most Companies Will Not Require Bookkeepers to Have a License or Degree And Prefer Certification as a Demonstration of Competency in the Field
- While There May Be Fewer Bookkeeping Jobs on The Horizon According to The BLS, There is Still A Need to Fill Abandoned Bookkeeper Positions Across The US.
Sources
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
https://aipb.org/
Bookkeeping Accounting and Auditing Clerks – BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers
https://nacpb.org/