National Bookkeeping Certification

While it is not required of bookkeepers, bookkeepers can become officially certified.

While it is not required of bookkeepers, they can take an examination to become officially certified. Once officially certified, a bookkeeper earns the title of CPB, or Certified Public Bookkeeper, and is entitled to higher salaries and is often more sought-after than non-certified bookkeepers.

Education

Before you may take the certification exam, you must take college-level bookkeeping classes from an accredited institution. Accredited means that the courses are approved by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) (the administrators of the exam). The courses can often be taken online or at community colleges.

Experience

To take the exam and become a CPA, a bookkeeper needs to have at least two years of full-time professional bookkeeping experience, or an equivalent amount of experience (as determined by the AIPB) of part-time or freelance bookkeeping work.

Studying for the Exam

Bookkeepers with the required education and work experience still may wish to study for the exam prior to taking it. For them, the AIPB provides a free 23-page booklet detailing the exam and containing study materials.

The Exam

The exam is comprised of four parts. The first two parts must be taken at a Prometric Test Center (there are more than 300 in the United States) and the last two are open workbook tests that can be taken at home and then sent in to the AIPB.

The first part covers adjusting entries and error correction and takes about two hours. The second part includes payroll and depreciation and also takes about two hours. The third part covers inventory, and the last part of the exam tests internal controls and fraud prevention. All questions are multiple choice.

Passing Score

The passing score for each of the first two parts of the exam, taken at the test center, is 75 percent. The passing score for the two take-home parts of the exam is 70 percent. Applicants who score lower than the required scores may retake the test.

Continuing Education

After passing the test the new CPB must sign a code of ethics and continue her education by taking 60 more credits of accredited courses during the next three years to make sure that she is able to provide her clients or employers with the best work possible.

References

• NASAD: FAQ 3: Students, Parents, Public
• Penn Foster Career School: Bookkeeping
• American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers: Certification