Bookkeeper Educational Requirements and Career Opportunities

This post provides detailed information on the educational requirements you need to become a bookkeeper, including certifications, and the various career opportunities you can explore with a bookkeeping background.

Why Choose Bookkeeping Career?

There are different reasons for choosing a career as a bookkeeper, these include:

1. The bookkeeping profession is one that offers many opportunities to grow your career. 

It provides you with the opportunity to work in a variety of environments, such as small businesses, large corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, etc.

2. You can choose from a wide range of positions within a field, including accounting clerk, accounts payable clerk, accountant, auditor, financial manager, finance director, financial officer, general ledger clerk, inventory control clerk, internal auditing clerk, payroll supervisor, purchasing agent, tax preparer, treasurer, vice president of finance, etc.

3. As a bookkeeper, you may have the opportunity to advance into other fields, such as auditing, management consulting, taxation, investment banking, law, public accounting, real estate, and retailing.

4. There are many benefits associated with being a bookkeeper like flexible hours, competitive pay rates, excellent job security, and much more.

5. If you enjoy working with numbers, then this is the perfect career for you!

6. The bookkeeping profession has been growing at a steady pace over the past few years.

Bookkeeper Education Requirements

The following information should be taken into consideration when looking at obtaining a degree in bookkeeping.

1. Bachelor’s Degree (BA)

A Bachelor’s degree is usually required for entry level jobs in the bookkeeping profession.

However, some employers prefer applicants with Associate’s degrees.

2. Associate Degree (AS)

An Associate’s degree is often preferred by companies seeking qualified candidates. It is also helpful if you want to pursue higher education after graduation.

3. Certificate Programs

Some schools offer certificate programs in bookkeeping. These programs typically take less time than the traditional college courses.

They may not provide the same amount of training as in Bachelor’s degree program but they do allow you to get started on your career sooner.

4. Certification

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) are two examples of certifications offered by professional associations.

Both of them require passing exams before receiving certification.

Bookkeeper Continuing Education

If you already hold a Bachelor’s degree in another field and would like to obtain additional knowledge about bookkeeping, then there are several continuing education options available.

Most universities offer classes through their continuing education department. Other options include taking online courses or attending workshops.

Bookkeeper Certification/License

• Certifications

There are four types of certifications:

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

This credential requires an applicant to pass three parts of the Uniform CPA Examination.

2. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

This credential requires an individual to pass two parts of the Uniform CFE Exam.

3. Certified Business Valuation Analyst (CBVA).

This credential requires an application to pass the Uniform CBVA Examination.

4. Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

This credential requires an examination that consists of multiple choice questions.

• Licenses

A license allows individuals to perform certain activities without going through the formal process of certification.

For example, a bookkeeper who works for a company that does not require a license could still work in his or her current position while completing the necessary paperwork to receive a license.

In addition, a licensed bookkeeper can perform accounting duties for other businesses without having to go through the licensing process again.

Bookkeeper Career Opportunities

Here are some of the major career opportunities you can get into as a bookkeeper:

1. Accountant

Accounting is one of the most popular careers for bookkeepers because it provides many opportunities to learn new skills.

Many accountants start out working in bookkeeping positions and then move up the ladder to become auditors, controllers, or even senior managers.

2. Auditor

Auditing involves reviewing financial statements to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

The auditor must be able to identify potential problems, such as fraud or errors.

3. Financial Controller

Controllers oversee an organization’s finances and make sure that all transactions are recorded properly.

Controllers determine whether the books are balanced and if anything needs to be changed.

4. Manager

Managers supervise employees and help them complete specific tasks. Managers also plan budgets and set goals for their teams.

5. Tax Preparer

Tax preparers help people file taxes on time. They use software programs to create tax forms and calculate taxes based on income earned.

How to Advance your Bookkeeping Career

Advancement opportunities for bookkeepers are plentiful. There are many ways to advance within the profession.

Some of these methods include:

1. Continuing Education Courses

Continuing education courses provide information that helps bookkeepers stay updated with changes in the industry.

These courses cover topics, such as payroll, inventory management, and more.

2. Online Courses

Online courses are becoming increasingly popular among bookkeepers. These courses are usually offered by companies that specialize in training.

Companies often hire instructors from universities and colleges to teach online classes.

Instructors typically have experience teaching at the college level.

3. Certification Programs

Certification programs allow bookkeepers to demonstrate their expertise. Certifications are important because they show employers that you are knowledgeable about the latest trends in the field.

4. Self-Study

Self-study courses are available for anyone interested in learning how to do their own bookkeeping.

This type of coursework may take several months to complete but it will give you the knowledge needed to get started.

5. Work Experience

Many employers prefer candidates with work experience over others. If you have previous bookkeeping experience, consider sharing this information when applying for jobs.

How to Find a Good Bookkeeper School

Finding a good school to be trained as a bookkeeper can be difficult.

These ideas can help:

1. Talk to other Students

Ask current students about their experience in the school, including what they liked and don’t like about their bookkeeping program. You might find out something useful about the school.

2. Ask About the Program

Visit the school website to see what the program has to offer. Also visit the school’s Facebook page to read reviews written by other students.

3. Read Reviews

Read reviews written by former students and take note of schools where students made positive comments.

4. Attend a Job Fair

Attend job fairs hosted by local businesses. These events are great places to meet recruiters who are looking for new hires.

How to be Successful in your Bookkeeper Career

There is no one way to become successful in the bookkeeping career. However, there are a few pointers that can help you succeed:

1. Be Flexible

With a flexible schedule, you can balance your personal life with your professional responsibilities.

It is important to be able to make adjustments if necessary.

2. Keep Up-to-Date

Stay up-to-date with technology. Technology is constantly changing so you need to keep yourself informed.

3. Network

Join professional organizations or attend networking events. Meet people who are also working towards their goals.

4. Take Care of Yourself

You need to take care of yourself holistically, including mentally, physically, and emotionally, and spiritually too. Do not put off taking time to relax.

Being healthy is essential to being productive.

5. Learn New Skills

Learn new skills through self-education. There are many books on accounting and business that can help you learn new things.

What does a Bookkeeper Do?

The primary responsibility of a bookkeeper is to maintain financial records. The main duties that they perform include:

• Keeping track of sales and purchases
• Preparing reports
• Maintaining inventory records.

See detailed bookkeeper job description.

Qualities of a Good Bookkeeper 

If you want to be an excellent bookkeeper, then here are some qualities to develop:

1. Accuracy

Accuracy is an important quality. A bookkeeper should always strive to ensure accuracy. If mistakes are made, then it is best to correct them as soon as possible.

2. Responsibility

Taking responsibility entails doing what you say you would do. When you promise to complete a task, you must follow through.

3. Communication

It is important to communicate well with clients, coworkers, and managers. Effective communication helps everyone understand each other better.

4. Timeliness

Timeliness is another important quality. A bookkeeper should never be late. Late workers often miss deadlines.

5. Punctuality

Punctuality is yet another important quality a bookkeeper should have. A person who is punctual shows respect for others and keeps commitments.

Bookkeeper Salary

According to Salary.com, the average bookkeeper yearly income in the United States is $44,950 as of Jan 01, 2025, with a normal range of $40,237 to $50,104.

However, Glassdoor gives the average annual salary of a bookkeeper in the U.S. to be  $69,000 with a range of $56K – $86K per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS in its May 2023 data, the yearly average salary for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is $47,440.

On the other hand, Indeed gives the average bookkeeper salary in the U.S. to be $46,095 per year, with a range of between $32,929 and $64,527 per year.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the bookkeeper career has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, even today, bookkeepers are still needed to manage accounts.

As long as there are companies needing financial information, bookkeepers will continue to be employed.

This post has provided you the information you need to meet the educational requirements to become a bookkeeper and to be successful in your career.