How To Become A Certified Bookkeeper: Certification And Requirements

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If you’re looking to gain a competitive advantage in the world of accounting, look no further than a bookkeeping certification. Skilled bookkeepers provide a valuable service to large and small organizations by keeping meticulous records of all financial transactions.

A bookkeeping certification not only adds value to your skill set but also helps you stay on top of the latest trends and technological advances in the industry. Read on to learn what you need to know about becoming a certified bookkeeper.

A bookkeeper certification tells employers that you have all the skills and expertise required for advanced bookkeeping.

There are two major credentialing bodies for bookkeepers. The first is the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and the second is the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB). Both offer similar benefits regarding membership, resources and renewable credentials. While other bookkeeping credentials do exist, those offered by AIPB and NACPB are the most renowned and respected.

The primary difference between the AIPB’s certification and NACPB’s license is the resulting title. Those credentialed by AIPB earn the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation. Those who earn licensure through NACPB gain the Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) title.

You do not need a formal education to go through the AIPB’s certification process.However, NACPB recommends a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related industry to earn the CPB license.

In terms of hiring potential, there is little difference between the two designations. Both are nationally recognized and well-regarded by accounting professionals.

Prior to earning either designation, you must prove that you have sufficient bookkeeping experience.

To qualify for the CPB license, you need to accumulate 2,080 hours or one year of experience in the field.

CPB licensure lasts one year, after which you must demonstrate that you completed all necessary continuing education credits and pay an annual membership fee. CPB credentials require 24 hours of continuing education per year of licensure.

Requirements for CB certification are more extensive, as they ask for at least 3,000 hours of experience or two years of bookkeeping or accounting experience.

To maintain the CB credential, you must fulfill 60 continuing education credits every three years.

Another difference to note between the CPB and CB credentials is cost. You must pay for each part of the required exam, along with any preparation courses you may take. As noted above, NACPB and AIPB both require annual fees as well to keep members’ credentials current.

To score discounted fees, consider becoming a member of the organization of your choosing before registering for any courses and exams.

The cost to become a CPB includes four courses and their respective exams. If you purchase these materials as a bundle, they cost $1,276 in total for members, and $1,596 for nonmembers.

You must also pay an application fee of $100. Annual renewal applications cost $25 for NACPB members and $50 for nonmembers. Membership also gives you access to resources that can help you prepare to become a CPB.

To become a CB, AIPB asks for a registration fee of $25 for members and $60 for nonmembers. The organization also offers one-, two-, and three-year memberships at discounted prices.

For preparatory courses and workbooks, AIPB charges $254 for members and $314 for members. The first two parts of AIPB’s four-part test cost $100 each. The final two parts of the exam are free and included in the workbooks.

The first step to becoming a CB or CPB is making the decision to do so. Earning your credential is going to take time, effort and patience, but the career advantages you’ll gain are well worth the effort.

After you’ve decided to pursue one of these professional designations, you must complete the following steps.

The first step to becoming a certified bookkeeper is ensuring you’ve met all professional and educational requirements. Regardless of whether you are pursuing credentials through AIPB or NACPB, your supervisor or a former employer must validate your experience hours.

AIPB also asks prospective CBs to sign the Certified Bookkeeper’s Code of Ethics. NACPB asks for an agreement to abide by the CPB Professional Code of Conduct. Both codes of conduct are part of an application form you’ll need to submit.

Before jumping straight into either exam, you must first take a series of courses. Prior bookkeeping experience does not exempt you from these preparatory courses. Completing courses and workbooks can help you prepare for and pass your bookkeeping exam.

AIPB CB Courses

AIPB offers a series of six self-paced classes and accompanying workbooks, all of which are part of AIPB’s CB preparatory course. You can purchase each course separately or together as a bundle. AIPB also has extra courses for sale, such as mastering double-entry bookkeeping. However, these courses are not required knowledge for the CB exam.

NACPB CPB Courses

The NACPB requires you to complete four bookkeeping certifications to obtain the CPB license. These include certifications in bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks Online and accounting. Each has an accompanying self-taught course. NACPB estimates seven to 13 weeks per class, but you may finish earlier if you dedicate more time to studying. A certification includes a pre-assessment test, the course itself, a post-assessment test and a certification exam.

Note that NACPB’s bookkeeping certification is different from its CPB license.

Once you’ve met all of your chosen credential’s requirements and completed your preparatory courses, it’s time to take the exams.

CB Exam

The CB exam involves four parts. You must complete the first two in person. You can take the third and fourth parts at home. The four parts of the AIPB bookkeeping certification exam include:

You may use notes and your workbook for the final two parts of the exam, but not for the first two parts.

Register to take the first part of the exam at a Prometric test center near you. Make sure to bring proper identification and any required materials on exam day. After completing part one of the CB exam, repeat this process to take part two.

If you want to retake either of the first parts of the CB exam, the fee is $60. There’s no retake fee for the at-home portion of the exam.

CPB Exam

NACPB administers all of its exams online. Sign up through the online testing center to schedule your exam. You’ll receive instructions via email about how to best prepare and set up your test-taking environment at home, a local library or another place with an internet connection.

You must pass the bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks Online and accounting certification exams before qualifying for CPB licensure. If you do not pass one of the certification exams, you can retake it for a fee of $40 for NACPB members and $50 for nonmembers.

If you’re wondering whether to earn CB certification or CPB licensure, keep in mind that a professional designation can help boost your earning potential. According to Payscale, certified bookkeepers make around $57,000 each year. Bookkeepers in general earn closer to $47,000.

Moreover, both the CB and CPB credentials are respected in the bookkeeping field and can help you stand out to employers.

Bachelor’s Degree in Education – Non-Teaching Certification

From non-profits to government agencies, the field of education offers a wide range of fulfilling career options beyond the teaching profession. Drexel’s Bachelor of Science in Education non-certification degree program is designed for civically-minded students who want to make a difference in the world of education but may not want to pursue a career as a teacher. 

The BS in Education non-certification program offers great flexibility as it is available as a part-time online or as a full-time on-campus degree program. Through our comprehensive plan of study, students will receive an education-focused degree with the ability to take electives or minor in several education-related fields such as Sociology, Psychology, Sport Coaching Leadership, or Modern Language, to name a few. Graduates are prepared for success in careers in non-profit, government, and corporate sectors that focus on education. Students will not need to complete any student teaching experiences. 

The curriculum for the BS in Education non-certification program prepares students to analyze educational problems and work to suggest viable solutions. Students will develop collaboration and management skills as well as a deep understanding of the role of formal and information education in developing community and citizenship. 

Course titles and descriptions can be found in the Drexel Course Catalog.

The BS in Education non-certification program offers students more elective credits than the BS in Education certification program. By offering more elective credits, students can choose classes that fit their career interests. Career paths could include:

Students will complete courses that have field experiences which will include observing and assisting in classrooms, these are considered Stages 1 & 2 fieldwork. BS in Education non-certification students will not take Pre-student Teaching or Student Teaching field experiences.

The BS in Education non-certification program has free electives that can provide flexibility that allows for customizing one's course selections so they can be tailored to the student's interests.

BS in Education non-certification track also provides a higher amount of acceptable transfer credits into the free elective section. Students can apply a maximum of 90 transferable credits into the program allowing transfer students to complete their degree faster.

The BS in Education non-certification track program does not lead towards state teacher licensure and/or the eligibility to teach in public school systems, however graduates might be eligible to teach PK-4 in schools that do not require certified teachers.

Prospective students interested in the full-time on-campus BS in Education non-certification program must be accepted for admission to Drexel University. You can start your application for full-time or part-time admission by visiting Drexel Undergraduate Admissions.

Students interested in applying for the part-time online BS in Education non-certification program may start the application process by visiting Drexel Online.

Special Education Certification

The mission of the Dual Special Education Program is to develop competent, caring, and ethical educators who are able to meet the diverse learning needs of all students across a variety of age, grade, and ability levels. The preparation program will facilitate competence in areas of academic, social, and emotional growth, and methods of maximizing a student’s capabilities through diagnostic and instructionally adaptive practices.

The Dual Special Education Certification program prepares candidates to work with special needs populations in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades (PK-12). Students will follow the requirements for an initial certification program in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Middle Level Education, or Secondary Education with a few course substitutions permitted as noted below, in addition to completing the extra requirements for the Special Education program. Special Education is a concentration that students may add to their initial program in order to qualify for dual certification.

Students majoring in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education PK-12 will complete the following courses in addition to the afore-cited Elementary and Early Childhood program requirements (not the course substitutions permitted):

Special Education certification candidates will complete half their student teaching in a special education setting and half in a regular education setting.

Students majoring in Middle Level Education with a concentration in Special Education PK-12 will complete the following courses in addition to the afore-cited Middle Level Education program requirements (not the course substitutions permitted):

Special Education certification candidates will complete half their student teaching in a special education setting and half in a regular education setting.

Students minoring in secondary education with a concentration in Special Education PK-12 will complete the following courses in addition to their specific program in the major:

Special Education certification candidates will complete half their student teaching in a special education setting and half in a regular education setting.