How to Become an Accredited Bookkeeper

Accreditation can strengthen bookkeeping skills.

Bookkeepers can improve their knowledge by passing a test with an accredited bookkeeping association. This training acknowledges that you've taken time to study and understand advanced skills and concepts. Managing employee payrolls, fraud prevention, depreciation and tax preparation are just some of the subjects certified bookkeepers should know. Accreditation is a natural step for experienced bookkeepers.

Instructions

1. Track your personal budget. Practice your math skills at home to strengthen your bookkeeping skills and see how you handle your own funds. A personal budget is not only educational and a benefit to your bank account, but will help you build up basic skills. This will make you more comfortable learning advanced bookkeeping concepts in the future.

2. Study business or accounting in college. Most colleges offer an associate or bachelor's degree in this field. Aspiring bookkeepers learn practical skills including the history of accounting, auditing and financial management. Some colleges let you take a few classes on the subject rather than requiring you to enroll in a degree program.

3. Get a bookkeeping internship or entry-level job. Intern or work at a bookkeeping firm or for a company's bookkeeping division for more experience. This opportunity lets you see how bookkeeping works in the real world. Apply what you've learned in school to your internship or first job and you'll be sure to get great references from your supervisors. Some companies prefer listing internships and jobs in college job banks, so check there first. Talk with a guidance counselor to see if the internship counts as class credit.

4. Study for the test. Accredited bookkeeping institutes such as the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) issue certifications that require serious study. See if your local chapter of the organization has a study group, then work with the it to learn the material. If that's not possible, take test preparation classes or read workbooks containing mock tests to help you prepare. The AIPB has workbooks, but some private test preparation companies offer training, mock tests and workbooks. Taking mock tests in the workbooks and classes will make you more comfortable with the subject matter.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a bookkeeping association to learn more about bookkeeping techniques.

References

• FunCPE: Certified Bookkeeper (CB)
• Portland Community College: Pathways: Accounting/Bookkeeping
• College of the Canyons: Bookkeeping & Accounting
• American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers: Certification
• OSC Computer Training: AIPB Certified Bookkeeper

Resources

• Penn Foster career School: Bookkeeping