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Becoming a Bookkeeper

by Bob
(Las Vegas, Nevada)

I am interested in becoming a bookkeeper and would like to know the best way to get training?

I would like to get my training online and would like to know what schools, certifications, courses, etc... I should look into.

Any ideas?




Hi Bob,

I did a bit of research into this topic last year. I put everything I was interested in and/or discovered into an article about Online Accounting Training and Tutorials.

In this article there is section on US Bookkeeper Certification Programs that may be helpful.

The list is not exhaustive ... there are more options ... these were just some of the ones that caught my eye and interested me.

I hope this information helps you out ... and good luck!




See you on the next page ... Your tutor Lake


Webmaster - The links in this posting were first edited on May 3, 2010 when the article was moved to a new page. The posting was reviewed again November , 2011 and revisions were made at that time to bring information up-to-date.



Comments for
Becoming a Bookkeeper

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 27, 2010
 Canadian Bookkeeping Certification
by: Lake

For my Canadian visitors, I should have mentioned that there is also information in this article on Canadian Bookkeeper Certification Programs as well.

Use the same link as above.

As of May 3, 2010 ...to find the US certification, you will need to scroll down. It is directly below the Canadian information.
Feb 10, 2010
 CIB- Canadian Institue of Bookkeeping
by: Anonymous

Check out the CIB- Canadian Institue of Bookkeeping.

They offer a program that will qualify you as a certified bookkeeper.

I did my online certification courses- an accounting speciality program, online, through Durham College in Ontario.
Oct 10, 2010
 UK Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
by: Lake

I just met a bookkeeper from the U.K.

In the U.K., "the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers" is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. It promotes and maintains the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of membership that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence."

They offer numerous levels of bookkeeping certificates and diplomas ... and have mock examinations you can purchase to help you prepare for your examinations.

For more information go to www.bookkeepers.org.uk .
Dec 31, 2010
 Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping
by: Tina

Dear Lake,

What an excellent web site dedicated to the Bookkeeping Profession! Thank you, I am sure I will refer to it often for my bookkeeping information.

However, please permit me to comment about one thing in your website that I noticed.

On your page about Canadian Bookkeeper Certificate Programs, you mention that "once you have completed your online bookkeeping course, or a few years of bookkeeping experience, there are two different associations (in Canada) that offer bookkeeping certification." You mentioned both IPBC & CBA.

There is at least one more excellent association that you did not mention, the CIB. The Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping is also a non-profit organization committed to the development and recognition of the bookkeeping profession nationally. Please see their webpage (www.cibcb.com). In my opinion, it is the most committed and rewarding of the Bookkeeper organizations in Canada.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but although the IPBC has a certification program for bookkeeping, it appears to be simply a matter of passing their exam, (they write both the exam and their own publications to pass the exam) and paying a membership fee to become certified.

Also, a recent review of CBA website, no longer mentions the RPB designation in their website. So, membership appears to be simply a matter of paying a fee.

At the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping, your membership requires you to earn a designation as Certified Bookkeeper. To do this, you not only have to successfully complete 9 specific courses (either through them, online or through a local college), but additionally, you are required to complete at least three years of full time experience in bookkeeping. Of all the Bookkeeper associations in Canada, this one is perhaps the most demanding, but as a result, their members have earned the certification through both education and experience. Hopefully, this results in their certified members being recognized as among the most qualified in the trade.

It is unfortunate they were not recognized in your excellent website.

Sincerely,
Tina G.
(CIB Junior member & Bookkeeper in Ottawa accounting firm)
Dec 31, 2010
 Questions about CIB
by: Bookkeeping Essentials

I tried to contact Tina through her email address she gave me, but it came back undeliverable. I did want to respond to her personally. So Tina if you are reading this, I hope you'll reply.

Hello Tina,

Happy New Year! I'm tickled pink you are enjoying my website.

The CIB is mentioned indirectly on the Online Bookkeeping Courses page by clicking on the Becoming a Bookkeeper link.

Thank you for taking the time to write me. I feel it is so important for visitors to receive opinions other than mine. I have now included a link to this posting so visitors can also receive information on this program.

I didn't include the CIB because I didn't think it was an online college. That is to say, I thought the courses are taken through colleges across Canada and not offered directly by or through CIB as The Knowledge Bureau does, for example.

Can you tell me, do you have to earn ongoing professional development credits once you have completed the program and/or pay annual dues to be able to use the CIB designation? Is there a committee or board that can review complaints against bookkeepers holding the designation and can it be revoked?

I think their program sounds great ... and thanks for providing me with more information about it. I look forward to your responses to my questions.

I am definitely in favour of any program or association that promotes professionalism and competence in our industry.

Wishing you health and prosperity in the new year Tina. :0)
Dec 31, 2010
 IPBC Exam
by: Gordon Skillen

Hi Tina

You are correct that IPBC does write their own exam. It is a national standarized exam administered across Canada. In fact, we just recently updated it.

Our goal is to certify only Canadian bookkeepers with proven work experience. In order to qualify to write the exam, a bookkeeper needs to have 2 years or 3,000 hours of experience. They also need to submit proof of 15 hours of Professional Development credits each year, to show that they are continuing to learn.

Although IPBC is the newest association at 3.5 years, we are also the largest at 760 members and growing at the rate of about 40-50 new members each month.

Our rentention rate is also the highest in the industry, because we provide so much more than just the certification.

Members enjoy meetings in 23 cities across the country, as well as monthly educational webinars, discounts on software and services, and most importantly, the abilty to remove a member who does not comply with our code of professional conduct.

Feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions for you Tina, and, Happy New Years.

Gordon Skillen
Executive Director
IPBC.ca

Editor's note November 5, 2011 - Mr. Gordon Skillen left the Institute in July 2011. If you have any questions, your new contact is Leslee Tapella, Manager of Member Services.
Jan 06, 2011
 Marketing for a home based bookkeeping biz
by: David

Hello Lake!

My friend let me know about your website. I am going to go thru the whole contents. My impression is I feel humanity in this site. I want to make one like yours.

I am planning to open a home based bookkeeping biz like you. My question might be tedious to you but I'm serious. :)

I'd appreciate it if you could share your wisdom for a beginner. My concern is how to market.
Jan 06, 2011
 Marketing Your Bookkeeping Biz
by: Bookkeeping Essentials

Hi David,

Thanks so much for your kind comments.

Check out Universal Accounting's website. They have information about marketing and finding clients for your bookkeeping business.

Here is where you can start: universalaccounting.com/how-to-find-clients.html

Make sure you watch their free video. It explains 3 methods for getting your first clients.

Also Smith Young University has a free course on Marketing and Selling Bookkeeping Services. You can register for it here: smithyounguniversity.com/training/marketing.cfm

I wish you much success David!
Jan 18, 2011
 Studying for CPB exam
by: Greg Lam

Hi Gordon,

I have been looking into the CPB exam and was wondering if there is any practice or sample tests you can write to see if you're ready to take the CPB exam?

I took a look around the IPBC website for about 10-15 minutes, but didn't seem to find any mention of this.

A different question for Lake or for anyone else who sat the CPB exam, how did you know you were ready to take it?

Thanks!

Greg Lam
Jan 18, 2011
 Bookkeeper Certification
by: Lake

Hi Greg,

I joined IPBC and purchased their study guide. Once I went through it, I took practice tests, quizzes and games on Accounting Coach and Bean Counter. I also enrolled in RealLIfe Accounting.

When I was comfortable with exam writing again, I took the IPBC exam ... and passed.

It will be different for everyone. If you have questions about the IPBC exam, phone Leslee and talk to her. From my experience, she is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Jan 30, 2011
 More about CIB
by: Tina

Hi again Lake,

Thanks for answering me.

Sorry you had trouble contacting me. My email did not change, I'm not sure why it didn't work.

Anyway, first I need to apologize for an inaccuracy on my first posting. The CBA website still promotes the RPB designation. I said it didn't. Quite an oversight too, as it is mentioned on their home page.

Also, thank you for mentioning the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB) in your website. I am glad you are providing this information to those who might want more options to further their profession. The CIB designation allows a bookkeeper to use the CB (Certified Bookkeeper) designation after their name and the CIB logo in their advertising. As already mentioned, they are an organization that promotes our profession, just as CBA and IPBC do.

I was mistaken in saying that you can take a course through CIB. The courses are only offered through various colleges, or online through Ontario Learn. Not through them. CIB evaluates the courses taken and sometimes allows exemptions. If all academic requirements are met, a member still has to sign a Code of Conduct and provide proof of experience (3 years). It can sometimes feel like a long road!

I am not an expert, but will answer your questions about CIB to the best of my knowledge:

- They do not require members to continue their education or earn professional credits, however their website states "certified members are strongly advised to continue to update their knowledge to maintain currency in the profession." And their Code of Conduct also states that "members shall maintain professional competence by continually developing their knowledge and skills in bookkeeping and related disciplines."

- Yes, you must continue to pay annual dues to use their designation.

- There is a board. I don't know if they ever revoked a designation but I assume they can. The Code of Conduct also commits all members to act in the best interest of the public. Any member who displays unprofessional conduct or violates any article of the code shall be subject to disciplinary action.

In a strange twist of irony, after reading Gordon Skillen's email, and yours, I find myself becoming more interested about IPBC. (You are laughing aren't you?) They are the most expensive of the three organizations mentioned, but I am realizing they might also be the best value. They have meetings in my city, webinars, great links and their website has really grown in the past year. I know their members have access to a discussion forum, but if I became a member, would I also have support from a professional who can answer my questions when I am completely stuck? Gordon, if you're reading this, please advise!

Hmm, who knows, perhaps I will seek two designations instead of one, like you Lake.

Many thanks for hearing me out, and again for your excellent website.

All the best.
Tina G.
Jan 31, 2011
 I am smiling!
by: Lake

Hey Tina, you are right ... I'm grinning ear to ear!

I belong to both the CBA and IPBC.

Yes IPBC is the most expensive ... but I get a lot for the dues I pay.

The webinars are often free (gotta love that) to members and help keep me current. I love that I don't have to take time out to travel back and forth to attend the sessions.

I enjoy our regional meetings because I get to network with bookkeepers in my area. Sometimes when I need advice, I can call them and ask.

The bookkeeping forum is very active. You actually end up learning things just by reading your email notifications ... and when you are stumped ... it is a great resource. With over 700 members, it is very rare that a post does not receive a reply.

One of the things I like about the forum is that there are a few CAs and CGAs who participate too, which is often very helpful.

I started out by signing up for their free newsletter, which you may want to do, if you haven't already.

I did let the president of CBA know you had posted comments about the CBA. He did say he would respond but hasn't done so yet. In his email to me, he mentioned that they were in the process of "re-writing our RPB information for the website".

Thank you so much for taking the time to post on my website Tina. I truly appreciate it and the information you have provided about CIB!

One question, that "ad" about a compilation engagement seminar, does CIB actually offer one ... and is it open to non-members?
Jan 31, 2011
 Exam Knowledge Guide
by: Anonymous

Hi Greg and Tina

The study guide is now available to non members.

We decided to make it available to everyone, other than just members. You can determine for yourself, your skill level and opportunity for achieving the Certified Professioanal Bookkeeper designation.

Tina, our forum is very active and answers come quite quickly. We do not however, at the present time have a staff member available to help with bookkeeping questions. I can see the day that this service will be available. Always feel free to call IPBC at any time.

We have grown quickly for many reasons; one of them being we are a friendly team of 7 staff that really do care to help our members grow. Once you become a member, you will notice the feeling of family and belonging.

Gordon Skillen

Editor's note November 5, 2011 - Mr. Gordon Skillen left the Institute in July 2011. If you have any questions, your new contact is Leslee Tapella, Manager of Member Services.
Feb 01, 2011
 Thanks Lake and Gordon
by: Greg Lam

Thanks Gordon for letting me know about the study guide.

Thanks Lake for letting me know how you studied-up for the IPBC exam.

Cheers,

Greg
Feb 01, 2011
 IPBC Study Guide
by: Lake

Hey Greg,

I just took a look on the IPBC site with the thought of purchasing and reviewing their new study guide. The price is set at $100 plus tax for non-members. (Half that for members.)

The price seems a little too steep to me. If you do purchase it, I would really appreciate it if you posted back with your thoughts and / or a review of the study guide.

The Accounting Coach bookkeeping proficiency exam is less expensive and I found it to be a very good exam. It also has a Bookeeping Basics Seminar.

Some of the questions are related to U.S. rules but I initially just skipped over those. Once I was finished the exam, I went back to the U.S. specific questions and searched for the Canadian equivalent information. For example, Bean Counter has a free tutorial on Canadian Payroll. It is very basic but it lets you brush up your knowledge.

CRA also has How Payroll Works on their website. I provide a link to it on my Canadian Payroll Information page.

When I initially purchased the AccountCoach bookkeeping proficiency exam, it was only a test with 100 plus questions and cost about ten bucks USD. The best ten bucks I've spent!

In 2010, the bookkeeping test was upgraded to an exam with three hundred questions. The price was also raised to fifteen bucks USD at that time.

In November 2011, the exam was no longer available as a single item purchase. Now you purchase a $49 USD membership to the AccountingCoach Pro members area where you have accesss to all their materials including the exam and their bookkeeping course.

P.S. I haven't forgotten about your article on Banking for Small Business. I've just been side tracked with other priorities. I have set aside time this weekend to get it published.

Revised November 5, 2011
Apr 17, 2011
 Brushing Up On Bookkeeping Skills
by: Corinne

I was wondering if you have any recommendations regarding a bookkeeping course, that I could take from home.

I have a home based business and I just want to brush up on my bookkeeping skills. I don't want to work for somebody else.

Thank you and keep up your great work!
Apr 17, 2011
 Online Bookkeeping Courses
by: Lake

Hi Corinne,

My recommendations for at home bookkeeping courses can be found in my article on Online Bookkeeping Courses ... and welcome to Bookkeeping-Essentials! :0)
Nov 05, 2011
 New Bookkeeping Course Available
by: Lake

Hi Corrine,

I just thought I'd let you know that a new 2 hour Bookkeeping Basics seminar and a 2 hour Understanding Financial Statements seminar is available through the AccountingCoach Pro members area.

The cost is affordable at $49 USD. You also get access to all of their exams.

The fee gives you lifetime access so you can watch the videos as often as you like.

Another bonus is that the videos are broken down into mini-sessions ... so you can easily review just the topic you want or study in 15 to 30 minutes breaks.
Jan 03, 2012
 Virtual Bookkeeper Online Training Program
by: Lake

I have just discovered a program for any bookkeeper who wants to learn how to take their bookkeeping services online and offer virtual bookkeeping.

Click here to add your own comments

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