But to make things simple, we chose the seven best online bookkeeping certificate programs based on curriculum, time commitment, price, and overall certification impact.

If you’re interested in becoming a certified bookkeeper and need direction, read on.

Top-Rated Online Bookkeeping Certificate Programs

• 1. NACPB Bookkeeper Certification
• 2. Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate
• 3. ACCA: Introduction to Bookkeeping
• 4. University of Virginia - Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• 5. Penn Foster Career School - Bookkeeping Training Program
• 6. AIPB Certification Program
• 7. Universal Accounting School - Professional Bookkeeper Program

Best Online Bookkeeping Certificate Programs Compared

1. NACPB Bookkeeper Certification

The National Association of Certified Bookkeepers (NACPB) is a widely recognized and highly respected organization in the US.

Enrolling in a bookkeeping course and getting certified by the NACPB is an excellent way to build your bookkeeping skills and become more reputable in clients' eyes.

This bookkeeping certification program offers a robust curriculum, covering all the essential topics needed to launch your career as a public bookkeeper or enhance your continuing education.

We like that the NACPB is currently offering a bookkeeping certification bundle deal in that by taking the bookkeeping classes and completing the Bookkeeping Certification exam, you can save 26%.

And you can even take a free practice test with no commitment to see if it’s the right bookkeeping course for you.

As for drawbacks, the time commitment of 13 weeks is longer than some other courses, and the pricing ($369 for members and $449 for nonmembers) is higher than some other options.

Also, to maintain your bookkeeping certification, you’re required to complete continuing education courses.

While this is helpful for staying on top of industry trends and improving your bookkeeping knowledge, this admittedly, can be a turn-off for some experienced bookkeepers, as it can result in further costs and time commitment.

Learn more about NACPB Bookkeeper Certification and request more information.

2. Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate

This bookkeeping certificate program, completed through Coursera, is perfect for beginners looking to learn the ropes of computerized accounting.

If you’re just starting out and want to build foundational knowledge to springboard your career, a Bookkeeping Professional Certificate can be a great choice.

The time commitment of two months is relatively low, and the cost of $160 makes it more affordable than many related programs.

And because of the weight that Intuit’s name carries, completing this bookkeeping certification should improve your reputation and help you stand out among the competition.

This, along with using the right bookkeeping practice management software, can be instrumental in acquiring new clients and growing your business.

The main downside is that this course isn’t as comprehensive as some other certificate programs, and it only focuses on QuickBooks (as compared to other accounting software like Xero).

If you’re wondering why, it’s because Intuit was developed by QuickBooks. So it only makes sense that they would strictly want to feature their own software and offer a QuickBook certified user exam.

Also, it should be mentioned that there is no continuing education available with this certificate. While this won’t be an issue for some people, it does limit your ability to keep expanding your accounting knowledge and stay up-to-date on industry trends moving forward.

Learn more and enroll here.

3. ACCA: Introduction to Bookkeeping

Taken through the digital education platform edX, this online bookkeeping certification program from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) teaches everything you need to know about fundamental accounting concepts.

Unlike any other programs on this list, the course itself is completely free (you just have to pay $99 to get a certificate).

Like enrolling in a similar budget-focused online bookkeeping course like Mt San Antonio College, this is perfect if you only need to learn bookkeeping basics and don’t want to spend a lot in the process.

In terms of course completion, it’s self-paced. If you devote just five to eight hours a week to it, you should be able to finish it in around six weeks, which is much shorter than many comparable courses.

We also like that the ACCA is globally recognized, which means receiving certification can help you stand out from the pack.

As for downsides, ACCA: Introduction to Bookkeeping isn’t quite as comprehensive as some other certificate programs, as it’s more on the 101 level. But it should still be sufficient for many bookkeepers who are looking to launch a business or advance their careers.

Get the full details and request information here.

4. University of Virginia - Financial Accounting Fundamentals

This is another bookkeeping certification course offered through Coursera — one of today’s leading online learning providers.

One of the biggest benefits is that it’s from The University of Virginia, which means you’re getting a university-level education. It offers five different modules that cover most of the essentials of running an accounting practice.

Here are the details:

Module 1 - Intro to Finance Accounting, the Financial Statements, and the Balance Sheet
Module 2 - Intro to Recording Transactions
Module 3 - The Income Statement, Revenue and Expense Transactions, and Adjusting Entries
Module 4 - The Statement of Cash Flow and Financial Statement Preparation
Module 5 - More Transactions, Auditing Clerk Analysis of Financial Statements, and an Annual Report

While this bookkeeping certification isn’t as in-depth as some other programs, it’s more than adequate for learning accounting basics. And getting a bookkeeping certificate from The University of Virginia can greatly increase your credibility.

With only around 13 hours to complete this bookkeeping course, it’s a minimal time commitment. Not to mention that only having a cost of around $80 is far less than many alternatives.

The only downside is that it’s not as comprehensive as some other certificate programs, and additional certifications may be necessary to get firmly established as a bookkeeper.

Get the full details on course objectives and enroll here.

5. Penn Foster Career School - Bookkeeping Training Program

One of the main things accounting students like about the Penn Foster Bookkeeping Training Program is its flexibility. It’s designed in a way that you can learn the essentials while going at your own pace.

This program covers a wide range of topics, allowing you to gain a fundamental grasp of accounting so you’re fully prepared once you enter the industry.

Penn Foster has a reputation for employing highly experienced instructors. This means you have access to comprehensive online learning with educators who can guide you from start to finish, along with a career center and excellent student services.

Another perk is that after enrolling Penn Foster gives you a free one-year subscription to QuickBooks, which is a nice plus. If you’re already using bookkeeping software for accountants like Keeper, you can easily sync up QuickBooks Live to significantly up your efficiency.

As for pricing, $789 is on the more expensive end of the spectrum. It’s not as high as some other online bookkeeping certification programs like AIPB and the Universal Accounting School, but it’s still a considerable investment.

In terms of time commitment, Penn Foster states that students can finish this course in as little as six months, depending on how much time they devote to it. However, it can take as long as one year if you’re only able to move at a slow pace.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a course that can be completed quickly, this probably isn’t the best choice. But if you’ve got the time, it’s definitely an option to consider.

Find out more about the Penn Foster Career School - Bookkeeping Training Program.

6. AIPB Certification Program

The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers is one of the most well-respected organizations in the country. So becoming an AIPB certified bookkeeper is a great way to prove your professionalism and dedication to potential clients.

This certification program offers an incredibly rich curriculum, covering critical areas like accounting foundations, financial statements, payroll processing, and much more to develop strong bookkeepers.

If your goal is to build a solid foundation in the bookkeeping field and have a firm grasp of the essential areas needed to start and grow your business, this program is hard to beat.

The AIPB even offers quantifiable numbers on how big of an impact the program can have, with 37% of bookkeepers saying it helped them earn new clients and 48% reporting that it allowed them to raise their rates.

If you’re using bookkeeping workflow software, this combined impact can be immense and help dramatically expedite the growth of your accounting firm.

As for the cons, the biggest is the cost. At $1,495, this makes it one of the more expensive bookkeeping certificates on this list and may be more than some people are willing to spend. Also, the three to four-month time commitment can be a bit arduous as well.

But if you’re looking to reach your peak potential and are willing to put in the time and money, this bookkeeping certificate can pay dividends in the long run.

You can find out more about the AIPB Certification Program and what it has to offer here.

7. Universal Accounting School - Professional Bookkeeper Program

One of the biggest pros of these online bookkeeping courses is the curriculum depth. It’s one of the more comprehensive curriculums on this list and you can go from knowing virtually nothing about bookkeeping to operating your own successful business.

The other main benefit is the hands-on education you receive.

“You will actually do books for 11 different small businesses from different industries as you go through the course and learn the unique aspects of accounting for each — things people usually only learn by actually working for those particular businesses,” the school writes.

If you want to dive in head first and go beyond theoretical to real-world application of accounting techniques in a field like home office management experts, this program is highly recommended.

Once completed, you officially earn the title “Certified Bookkeeper,” which can go a long way in advancing your career and helping you win over more clients.

As for the cons, pricing will certainly be an issue for many people. At $3,091, this is the most expensive professional bookkeeping program on our list. Therefore, you’ll need to be willing to make a sizable investment into your education before enrolling in this career institute.

And while 60 hours isn’t as big of a time commitment as some other courses, it’s still significant, which should also be taken into consideration.

Here’s more Universal Accounting School program information.

Accelerating Your Bookkeeping Career

Is a bookkeeping certificate worth it?

Absolutely! Research indicates that becoming a certified public bookkeeper can help you earn more money and land more clients.

It’s just a matter of choosing the right program that matches your needs, budget, and availability.

By comparing the pros and cons of each program on this list, you should be able to pinpoint which is the best fit for your career path so you can build and expand your bookkeeping practice.

The post Best Online Bookkeeping Certificate Programs appeared first on Keeper.

[Keeper] is worth it for that one feature.

Nancy McClelland, also known as The Dancing Accountant, runs a hyper-local bookkeeping and tax firm in Chicago. Before getting started with Keeper, Nancy noticed that her senior accountant, Kendra, was juggling critical accounting responsibilities while simultaneously supervising the junior bookkeepers. Nancy sought out a solution that could ease Kendra’s workload without compromising the quality and efficiency of the firm’s operations, and she landed on Keeper.

In comparison to other practice management apps on the market, what struck Nancy most was Keeper’s ability to automate those month-end reviews that consumed so much of Kendra’s time. Additionally, tasks that previously fell to the supervisors were delegated to the junior staff with ease, thanks to Keeper’s task management features paired with the intuitive dashboard.

That dashboard also allowed for Kendra to have a clear, at-a-glance view of each team member’s progress on their assigned tasks. Keeper even flagged when someone was “stuck” somewhere in the month-end close process. This new system saved Nancy’s whole team tons of time, simply because they no longer had to engage in endless check-ins and back-and-forthing about who was doing what. Everyone was equipped with an increased awareness of the tasks at hand.

Nancy also highlighted one of Keeper’s standout features: automatic 1099 tracking and W-9 collection. “It is worth it for that one feature,” she said, noting that some of her colleagues initially added the entirety of their client base solely for this functionality. But for Nancy’s firm, Keeper’s use cases went far beyond the 1099 season. Features both large and small were being consistently implemented at a pace that made sense for her team—thanks to the expertise of Keeper’s support reps.

Today, Keeper helps Nancy’s firm operate more efficiently, allowing her team to continue delivering exceptional services to clients. Plus, her 1099 seasons are no longer headache-inducing.

You can find Nancy McClelland, CPA’s award-winning blog at thedancingaccountant.com, and be sure to check out Ask a CPA, which is a community for bookkeepers looking to enhance their accounting skills and increase collaboration with their clients’ CPAs and tax preparers.

Curious to see how Keeper can solve the capacity constraints at your firm? Book a personalized demo today.

The post How Keeper Helps Nancy McClelland, CPA Solve Capacity Constraints appeared first on Keeper.

“I’ve been in bookkeeping for over a decade, and I have yet to see a product like this.”

Highlights

• Keeper’s dashboard helped Dental Accounting Group (DAG) managers know exactly what the team was working on, eliminating the need for constant check-ins.
• Keeper’s Client Portal and automated email reminders saves DAG 10+ hours per month of chasing clients for answers by email

Growing a firm in the dental accounting niche

In 2022, two successful CPA and advisory firms, Dental Accounting Group and The Dental Group, joined forces to provide a full-service solution for the dental industry spanning bookkeeping, tax, and advisory services. Today, Dental Accounting Group (DAG) manages the monthly books for over 140 clients and has seen substantial benefits by using Keeper, including the addition of 30 new clients and 10 hours of saved time per month.

In order to keep up with this post-merger growth, two talented accounting specialists, Heather Lansink and Caitlin Moy, were charged with overseeing the combined bookkeeping segment of the practice. Heather manages a team of eight bookkeepers, and Caitlin works as an onboarding specialist for new clients.

Disconnected systems and limited visibility

With new growth comes natural growing pains. The systems between the merged entities were disconnected, which led to process inconsistencies between departments, as well. Specifically, Heather and Caitlin noticed their bookkeeping team’s workflows were siloed, which made it difficult for other teammates to collaborate or quickly step in to help. For example, if a bookkeeper needed to take time off, it was up to Heather to backtrack through all of the clients’ files, identify what had been completed or was still left to do, and relay that information to whoever was taking over.

The firm had an existing tool for task management, but it still wasn’t cutting it for DAG’s bookkeeping segment. “The program was not set up for bookkeepers specifically,” said Heather. “I still found myself checking in on the status of each client on a weekly basis.”

Solving the workflow problem

When Heather and Caitlin were asked by one of the firm’s partners to evaluate Keeper, they were instantly impressed (even with the demo meeting occurring during the heart of a chaotic 1099 season.) Keeper’s high-level client dashboard provided the critical insight DAG’s bookkeeping managers were in search of, and eliminated the need to check in with each bookkeeper individually on the status of their work.

“I save at least a full day each month by not having to ask my team where they’re at in the close process,” said Heather. “We also love the internal chat within Keeper, because my team can ask me questions on certain transactions and I can see them directly. They don’t have to write it down, come and find me, and pull up QuickBooks to give context.”

The improvements to DAG’s task management and workflows allowed for increased capacity across the board. Since subscribing to Keeper, each bookkeeper on the team was able to add three to four clients to their workload, totaling to roughly 30 new clients across the entire bookkeeping segment. Beyond the increase of sheer client volume, DAG’s management has been able to step back while still maintaining confidence in the accuracy of client books, and plan to empower the team further with Keeper’s Preparer, Reviewer and Manager designations.

“We plan to assign these roles so that each bookkeeper will be a peer reviewer of another teammate’s work,” said Heather. “I now have more time to manage and perfect our processes rather than worrying about the tasks at hand.”

Reducing manual follow-ups with Keeper’s Client Portal

“Using Keeper for client communication has saved me 10 hours a month and multiple emails.”

In addition to solving the workflow problem, DAG was eager to upgrade their approach to client communication. Before Keeper, the bookkeeping team would email spreadsheets filled with transaction questions to their clients. Follow-ups were almost always necessary, and keeping track of those messages was tedious and took time away from the work at hand. By using Keeper’s Client Portal and setting up automated reminders, the heavy lifting was done for them, and clients were responding with very little friction.

“I’ve seen efficiency turn a corner with our bookkeepers, and they no longer struggle with getting clients to answer questions or upload documents. Since implementing the automated reminders, there has been an increase in our clients already knowing when they need to send us specific items each month,” said Heather. 

DAG’s bookkeeping team now uses the Uncategorized Transaction Report to ask clients specific questions. Clients no longer have to worry about formatting issues when editing spreadsheet files, and they enjoy having the full picture of their bank records in their portal to help answer pending questions. Prior to transitioning to Keeper, roughly 30% of DAG’s bookkeeping clients had issues with responding to questions in a timely manner or utilizing communication methods that were unfamiliar to them. Today, that 30% is engaged and prompt in their responses, which they largely credit to the user-friendly nature of the Keeper Client Portal.

Why Keeper was the clear choice

DAG utilized Keeper’s features to eliminate  the specific issues that were hindering their team’s productivity and growth. But as they continued learning the tool alongside their Customer Success Manager (CSM), Heather and Caitlin realized that they could improve several other processes for the bookkeeping segment. The team plans to leverage Keeper to further reduce stress during the 1099 season, build out unique client properties, and complete their tax-related work months before the deadline.

When asked why Keeper is the clear choice for bookkeeping teams, Heather had this to say:

“I’ve been in bookkeeping for over a decade, and I have yet to see a product like this. Our feedback on the platform is being heard and I cannot tell you how thankful we are for that. It speaks volumes.”

The post Dental Accounting Group unifies their systems and streamlines monthly work with Keeper appeared first on Keeper.