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Is Bookkeeping Certification Worth It? Salary And Job Growth

A mid-career bookkeeper with 3-6 years of experience makes $40,337 a year on average. A senior level bookkeeper with 7-12 years of experience enjoys an average annual salary of $53,471. As a bookkeeper, your income level may vary based on your location, experience and employer. If you work in a competitive job market, certification can give you a leg up when discussing salary potential with prospective employers. The average bookkeeper salary has risen by $7,295 over the last ten years.

Bookkeeper Salary By State: Highest-Paid Bookkeepers by State

Any aspiring bookkeeper must also be detail-oriented, well organized and a stickler for accuracy. A bookkeeper’s salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile. Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.

1. In San Francisco, for instance, salaries are 41 percent higher, and in Boston, the market variance increases by 34 percent.
2. To better understand bookkeeper pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data across a multitude of channels including the BLS, FLC, and OPM.
3. From this viewpoint, bookkeeping offers an appealing path to an accounting career.
4. Single-entry bookkeeping records all transactions in just one row.

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

Highest paying bookkeeper jobs

Demonstrating a high level of proficiency can reassure employers that you’re equipped to take on greater responsibility, significantly raising your earning potential. If you’re just launching your bookkeeping career, a professional certification can set you apart from the competition. This credential can boost your credibility in the eyes of potential employers, especially who is the lessor and who is the lessee if you’re just breaking into the job market. An aspiring bookkeeper can enter the profession with a two-year or four-year college degree.

Experienced bookkeepers, on the other hand, may not see a significant return on investment. A typical bookkeeping certification course takes several weeks to complete. For example, NACPB’s initial certification course takes an estimated 13 weeks, but you can complete the material at your own pace. NACPB also offers a Certified Public Bookkeeper license, which takes several months.

A bookkeeping certification can yield a high return on investment, depending on a few factors. Here are a when will i get my tax rebate if i used turbo tax online to file my tax return few things to consider before obtaining a bookkeeping certification. If you opt to pursue certification through a college or university, check with your chosen school’s admissions office to verify the length of the program. Some programs are asynchronous, meaning you’ll pace yourself throughout the course, and you don’t have to log in at any particular time.

What’s the Time Commitment for a Bookkeeping Certification?

Bookkeeper salaries typically range between $30,000 and $52,000 yearly. Bookkeeper salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Bookkeeper salary levels vary by location, based on factors like local labor market conditions and local living costs. In these cases, employers may increase bookkeeper pay rates to attract the best available candidates. Bookkeepers are integral to ensuring that businesses keep their finances organized.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for bookkeepers in the US is $45,860 per year as of 2021 [1]. You can sometimes choose between full-time and part-time positions, and you may go to work in an office or work from home. Compare bookkeeper salaries for cities or states with the national average over time. The process of maintaining certification can help you keep your skills sharp over time as well. To renew your certification, you must complete continuing coursework, attend professional development programs and take part in training workshops.

Two of the most common are single-entry bookkeeping and double-entry bookkeeping. 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.

As for certification from AIPB, members pay $479, and nonmembers pay $574. The price of this certification includes the cost of enrollment, workbooks and the four-part national certification exam. After passing the AIPB’s certification exam, you will be recognized as a certified bookkeeper.

Is a Bookkeeping Certification Worth It?

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Depending on the employer, bookkeepers may qualify for other forms of compensation, such as performance bonuses. Bookkeepers still play important roles on accounting teams, especially in the small business world. This bookkeeper salary guide explores ways for emerging and established bookkeepers to improve their job prospects and earning power.

The bookkeeper job description entails maintaining the general ledger and accounts, recording transactions, posting debits and credits, running payroll and creating invoices. The answer depends on where you are in your career, along with a few other factors. If you’re just starting out as a bookkeeper, earning a certification can help you stand out from the competition. Keep reading to discover what else a bookkeeping certification can offer. In terms of pay, bookkeepers tend to earn the most by working in niche industries.