How Much Do Bookkeepers Make?

You qualify to register for the CPB exam after completing NACPB’s required prep courses. As of 2024, NACPB requires candidates to earn a cumulative score of at least 75% on the CPB exam to qualify for certification. Examinees have their tests scored electronically immediately after completion and receive the results immediately. Accountants, on the retained earnings other hand, take the data generated by bookkeepers and turn it into actionable insights. Accountants analyze financial trends and provide companies with a strategy for maintaining their financial health.

• An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information.
• Bookkeepers don’t usually need experience to enter the profession, but it’s often required for those who want to advance and take on more senior roles and responsibilities.
• When you feel you have enough education, you can begin applying for jobs or start your own bookkeeping business.
• Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations.
• Customers schedule an appointment to have a bookkeeper review their transactions, and  multiple schedules are available to choose from.

Professional experience and skills

According to AIPB, more than 1,000 postsecondary institutions offer what is a bookkeeper courses that prepare students for the CB exam. Ultimately, your circumstance determines whether a bookkeeping certification would be worth it for you. Junior bookkeepers looking to establish themselves in the field are arguably more likely to benefit from certification. Experienced bookkeepers, on the other hand, may not see a significant return on investment.

Certified public accountant vs accounting bookkeeper salary

In terms of average bookkeeper pay rates, BLS data from May 2021 identifies the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Washington, California, and Connecticut as the top-paying areas. Regarding overall job numbers, the BLS ranks California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania as the states with the highest employment levels. Credentials like the CB and CPB certifications may also help bookkeepers develop the superior skills that boost their overall compensation rates.

Bookkeeper vs Accountant Salary

To earn the CB credential, you need to pass the four-part Bookkeeping for Veterinarians national certification exam and have at least 2,000 hours of bookkeeping experience. For the CPB credential, you must complete the four-course/exam program and have at least nine months of specialized experience. CPBs must renew their licenses annually and complete at least 24 hours of continuing professional education courses.

A bookkeeping certification can yield a high return on investment, depending on a few factors. Here are a few things to consider before obtaining a bookkeeping certification. By focusing on these high-value services, you showcase expanded expertise that many clients are willing to pay more for. Specialization allows charging higher hourly rates as you deliver more strategic insights. It’s the bookkeeper’s task to record all the sales and purchases the business made in the ledger and to provide the supporting documents needed.

• The answer depends on where you are in your career, along with a few other factors.
• Applicable to financial services professionals who have completed the AIB Customer Service Representative Certificate and who function as customer service representatives.
• Annual renewal applications cost $25 for NACPB members and $50 for nonmembers.
• In this article, we’ll break down the seven differences between a bookkeeper vs accountant, including their roles, functions, and salary.
• Average entry-level salaries approach $38,000 per year, according to Payscale.
• Certifications, for example, can help you stand out in the job market by showcasing your experience and commitment to the profession.
• Even so, the BLS projects an average of 183,900 openings for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.

You can also complete additional certifications to demonstrate your proficiency in advanced subtopics related to bookkeeping. Learn about emerging trends and how staffing agencies can help you secure top accounting jobs of the future. Even in the documents they prepare, there are differences between a bookkeeper vs accountant. Ultimately, what strengthens your credentials are sufficient experience and a good track record, either in bookkeeping or accounting. In this article, we’ll break down the seven differences between a bookkeeper vs accountant, including their roles, functions, and salary. In addition to the organizations available to non-CPA accountants, a CPA is eligible to join its state society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Bookkeepers are not required to have certifications or specific education unless required by a specific employer. However, completing a bookkeeping certification program can teach you basic accounting and how to perform bookkeeping tasks and has the potential to set you apart from other bookkeepers. Certifications, for example, can help you stand out in the job market by showcasing your experience and commitment to the profession. Microcredential programs allow professionals to attain new skills without pursuing collegiate study.

An Accounting Bookkeeper supervises the financial data and compliance of a company. Accounting Bookkeepers maintain accurate books on accounts receivable and payable, daily financial reconciliations and entries, and payroll. They are in charge of recording various transactions like income and outgoings and posting these transactions to different accounts. In short, accountants will need to be life-long learners who work closely with people in marketing, production, information technology, and e-commerce. The affordability of computers and software means that employers will seek bookkeepers who are proficient in accounting/business software. With new technologies and software, small businesses will give preference to hiring bookkeepers who can adapt to changes in computing systems.

Bookkeeping Certification Salary Potential

The programs are often entirely online, providing easy and convenient access to educational materials, testing platforms, and more. These certificate programs equip professionals with the skills they need to do their job well and stand out among other job candidates. Students who pursue certificates like these will acquire career fortifying skills. Bookkeeping jobs encompass a wide range of roles, from entry-level positions to full-charge general ledger or financial statement bookkeepers with managerial responsibilities. Bookkeeper salary levels vary by experience level, local market and company size.