Chart Your Path to Success: Online Bookkeeping Courses Revealed

Getting the Hang of Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is the backbone of any thriving business. It keeps track of all the money stuff, giving you a clear snapshot of your company’s financial health.

What is Bookkeeping and Why Should You Care?

Bookkeeping is all about jotting down the financial details of a person or business. It’s a part of accounting that involves noting down daily transactions like income, expenses, taxes, interest, and loans.

Why is it a big deal? Well, good bookkeeping helps businesses:

• Keep an eye on financial performance
• Stay on the right side of tax laws
• Make smart money decisions
• Be ready for audits

If you’re curious about the basics of bookkeeping, check out our introductory course.

How Bookkeeping Keeps Your Business in Shape

Bookkeeping is key to keeping your business financially fit. By keeping detailed records, bookkeepers help businesses:

• Monitor cash flow
• Spot financial patterns
• Stick to budgets
• Cut down on mistakes and fraud

Country	Average Salary
US	$45,860
UK	£26,000
Canada	CAN$40,000 – CAN$60,000
Australia	AU$70,000
New Zealand	NZ$45,000

Want to know more about how bookkeeping impacts your business? Dive into our article on the value of bookkeeping.

By getting the hang of bookkeeping, you can make sure your financial records are spot-on, boosting your business’s success and stability. To sharpen your skills, think about signing up for online bookkeeping courses to get some hands-on experience and deeper knowledge.

Online Bookkeeping Courses Overview

Thinking about diving into bookkeeping? Online courses are a flexible and thorough way to get the skills you need. Let’s check out some top-notch online bookkeeping courses for beginners and quick refresher courses.

Best Online Bookkeeping Courses for Beginners

Starting off on the right foot is crucial for a successful bookkeeping career. Here are some beginner-friendly courses worth considering:

Course Name	Platform	Instructor	Key Features
Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass – Beginner to Advanced	Udemy	Irfan Sharif	Covers everything from basics to advanced
Bookkeeping for Freelancers: How to Handle Your Finances	Skillshare	Emily Simcox	Focuses on freelance bookkeeping, free trial available
Bookkeeping Basics	Coursera	Intuit	Intro to bookkeeping concepts, free certificate

Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass – Beginner to Advanced

Led by Irfan Sharif, a seasoned chartered accountant, this Udemy course is perfect for those starting from scratch and looking to level up. It covers a wide range of topics, giving you a solid grasp of accounting and bookkeeping principles.

Bookkeeping for Freelancers: How to Handle Your Finances

Emily Simcox offers this Skillshare course tailored for freelance bookkeepers. It focuses on managing finances specifically for freelancers and includes a free one-month trial, making it super accessible for beginners.

Bookkeeping Basics

Intuit’s “Bookkeeping Basics” course on Coursera provides a thorough intro to bookkeeping concepts and terminology. With a 4.6-star rating from over 4,000 reviews, it’s a highly recommended starting point for beginners.

Short Online Bookkeeping Courses

Need a quick intro or a refresher? Short courses are a great option. Here are some notable ones:

Course Name	Platform	Instructors	Duration
Accounting Foundations: Bookkeeping	LinkedIn Learning	Jim Stice & Kay Stice	2 hours
Advanced Bookkeeping Techniques	LinkedIn Learning	Jim Stice & Kay Stice	1.5 hours
Free Bookkeeping Courses	AccountingCoach, LLC	Harold Averkamp	Varies

Accounting Foundations: Bookkeeping & Advanced Bookkeeping Techniques

These LinkedIn Learning courses, taught by Jim Stice and Kay Stice, offer a quick yet thorough overview of bookkeeping basics and advanced techniques. With over 70 years of combined teaching experience, the instructors provide valuable insights in a short time.

Free Bookkeeping Courses

AccountingCoach, LLC offers free materials and courses covering the basics of bookkeeping, with the option to upgrade to paid classes ranging from $99 to $159. Founded by Harold Averkamp, a certified public accountant, this platform is ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly way to learn bookkeeping.

For more details on these courses and other options, check out our comprehensive guide on bookkeeping training online. Picking the right course can set you on the path to a successful bookkeeping career.

Certification and Career Paths

Becoming a Certified Bookkeeper

If you’re looking to level up your bookkeeping career, getting certified is a game-changer. Not only does it boost your credibility, but it also opens doors to better job opportunities. There are several professional bodies that offer certification, each with its own perks and requirements.

The go-to certification is the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). To snag this certification, you need to:

• Have at least two years of full-time bookkeeping experience.
• Pass a four-part national exam.
• Stick to a code of ethics.

Another popular option is the Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB). To get your CPB, you need to:

• Pass an exam covering bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks, and accounting principles.
• Complete 24 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) each year.

Certification not only proves you know your stuff but also shows you’re serious about your career. For more info on becoming a self-employed bookkeeper or diving into freelance bookkeeping, check out our related articles.

Advanced Accounting Certifications

Want to climb even higher? Advanced accounting certifications can lead to top-tier jobs and fatter paychecks. Here are some big hitters:

Certification	Requirements	Exam Details	Typical Roles
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)	Bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience	Four parts, 18-month completion window	Public accounting, auditing
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)	Bachelor’s degree, 2 years of professional experience	Two parts, 8 hours total	Management, corporate finance
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)	Bachelor’s degree, 2 years of professional experience	Three parts, 6.5 hours total	Internal auditing
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)	Five years of work experience in IS auditing	Single, 4-hour test	Information systems auditing
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)	Bachelor’s degree, 4 years of experience	Three levels, 18 hours total	Investment analysis

• The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification requires passing the Uniform CPA exam, which has four parts. You need to finish the exam within 18 months and meet education and work experience requirements. CPAs usually work in public accounting and auditing.
• The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification involves passing a two-part exam and having at least two years of professional experience. This certification is perfect for those eyeing leadership roles in management and corporate finance.
• Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs) need a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of professional experience in internal auditing. The CIA exam has three parts, and CIAs often work for big corporations, government entities, or non-profits.
• Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISAs) require five years of work experience in information systems auditing. The CISA exam is a single, four-hour test that focuses on monitoring and protecting an organization’s IT systems.
• Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs) need a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience. The CFA certification involves passing three levels of exams, and CFAs typically work in investment analysis roles.

Going after these advanced certifications can seriously boost your career in bookkeeping and accounting. If you’re thinking about starting your own bookkeeping business, these certifications can give you a leg up and build client trust.

Practical Applications and Tools

QuickBooks Training and Benefits

QuickBooks is a go-to accounting software that makes bookkeeping a breeze. If you’re aiming to ace bookkeeping jobs, QuickBooks training is a must. They offer online training programs that get you up to speed in no time.

Here are the main training options:

• Two-Day Live Online Class: This course, led by a live instructor, covers QuickBooks basics and bookkeeping principles. In just two days, you’ll feel like a pro.
• VIP Membership: For less than $1,000, you get over 200 hours of training content. This deep dive into QuickBooks and bookkeeping practices is a steal.

QuickBooks also has the QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted service. This budget-friendly option gives you access to live experts who offer personalized help with bookkeeping tasks, streamline your workflow, and manage your finances within the software.

Knowing QuickBooks can seriously boost your job prospects. It’s a hot skill in the business world, opening doors to roles like accounts payable/receivable clerk, bookkeeper, or software support specialist. For more on job opportunities, check out our bookkeeping jobs page.

Bookkeeping Certificate Programs Overview

Signing up for a bookkeeping certificate program gives you the skills you need to manage financial records. These programs usually cover:

• Managing ledgers
• Recording financial transactions
• Generating key financial statements
• Handling payroll and billing

Graduates are ready for the certified bookkeeper (CB) designation, which can really boost your career. States like California, Texas, and Florida have the highest employment levels for bookkeepers, with salaries often above the national median.

State	Annual Mean Wage
California	$54,260
New York	$52,640
Alaska	$52,770

As of May 2022, the median annual wage for bookkeepers is $45,860, with top earnings in California, New York, and Alaska. For more on bookkeeping certification and career paths, visit our bookkeeping certificate programs overview.

Mastering QuickBooks and completing a bookkeeping certificate program can open up a world of career opportunities in the financial sector. Whether you want to work as a self-employed bookkeeper or join a bookkeeping business, these tools and certifications are gold. For those eyeing more advanced qualifications, check out our guide to advanced accounting certifications.