One way to think about it is that bookkeepers lay the groundwork for accountants to analyze and prepare financial statements. The best way to prepare for the certified bookkeeper exam is by studying early and thoroughly. Take advantage of practice exams, study workbooks, and other https://www.bookstime.com/ online resources to brush up on your bookkeeping skills and knowledge. Because of these factors, advancing your bookkeeping career to a role in accounting can be advantageous. For instance, the job outlook for accountants and auditors has a 6 percent growth rate from 2021 to 2031.

Detail-oriented individuals who enjoy problem-solving, math, and computers may want to become bookkeepers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for bookkeepers, accountants, and auditing clerks will decline by 5% from 2021 to 2031. However, the profession professional bookkeeper will still add 197,600 openings annually to fill roles held by retirees or job changers. I didn’t go to what felt like the traditional route of going to a Big Four accounting firm. I remember talking to the manager at my first job before they hired me.

Sage 50 Accounts and Payroll Level 1 & 2 Certification Bundle

Start building the professional skills you need to get a job as a bookkeeper in under four months with the Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn at your own pace from industry experts while getting hands-on experience working through real-world accounting scenarios. In this article, you’ll learn more about what bookkeepers do, why they’re important to a business, and how much they earn. You’ll also explore how to become one and find suggested cost-effective courses that can help you gain job-relevant skills today. Bookkeepers manage a company’s financial accounts, ensuring they are accurate and easy to review. Their work plays an important role in the operation of a successful business, which can have very many transactions in a single day, let alone a week, month, fiscal quarter, or year.

There are many bookkeeping job opportunities and generally fewer education requirements than in other finance and accounting positions. An undergraduate degree will take 2-4 years and can pursue higher-paying positions in the field than those without a credential. Professionals who learn through on-the-job training can grasp essentials after about six months in entry-level roles. According to the BLS, most bookkeepers work for professional services firms; retail and wholesale businesses; and finance, insurance, and healthcare providers. However, remote work opportunities have become increasingly available since the COVID-19 pandemic. The BLS projects a 3% decline in the number of bookkeeping jobs between 2020 and 2030.