Seven Reasons You Should Invest in a Bookkeeping Certification

March 31, 2023 | Ed2Go

Are you looking for a finance, accounting or business administration job? If so, you will need bookkeeping knowledge and skills, and getting certified is the best way to advance your abilities and validate your experience.

Industry-recognized bookkeeping certifications teach you best practices for efficient bookkeeping while providing proof of knowledge and capabilities you already possess. As a certified bookkeeper, you show employers you are serious about developing organizational skills and financial literacy for workplace success.

Let’s look at some advantages of becoming a certified bookkeeper and whether it’s a lucrative career option for you. 

What Is a Certified Bookkeeper?

A certified bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining the financial records of their employers by using accounting tools and other software. They play a vital part in determining the success of their employer, which is why companies want only well-trained and qualified bookkeepers to work for them. Consequently, they prefer professionals with industry-recognized bookkeeping certifications.

Job Outlook for a Certified Bookkeeper

Let’s take a look at some quick facts about certified bookkeepers as mentioned on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website:

• In 2021, the average annual certified bookkeeper salary was $45,560 ($20.39 per hour).
• Typical entry-level education level for certified bookkeepers included some college, but no degree.
• You don’t usually need work experience in a related occupation and can learn via moderate-term on-the-job training.
• In 2021, around 1,707,800 jobs were posted for certified bookkeepers.

Benefits of Bookkeeping Certifications

A certification can benefit bookkeepers in several ways. It not only helps their resumes grab greater attention from employers, but the salary for certified bookkeepers usually exceeds that of their non-certified colleagues. Moreover, as you take continuing education courses to maintain your certification, you become a lifelong learner who earns more valuable skills throughout your career.

Some other reasons you should consider investing in bookkeeping certification training are:

1. Get a Competitive Edge

Hiring managers and recruiters often review hundreds of resumes every single day. They scan for differentiating features, like advanced degrees, experience, or certifications to streamline their work. When you mention that you are a certified bookkeeper, your resume becomes more prominent, and recruiters may pay closer attention to your application.

2. Expand Your Job Prospects

Some companies might mention they need only certified candidates in their vacancy ad, so earning a certification can increase your job opportunities. Even if an employer does not specify certification as one of their minimum requirements to apply for a job, hiring managers might still use the term certified bookkeeper or something similar when looking for candidates in their database. With an industry certification, you can appear in more searches when companies are actively hiring and get more attention in the preliminary application phase.

3. Receive a Higher Starting Salary

When negotiating your salary, you can use your credentials to your advantage. With experience and education, certification can play an important role in the company's initial salary. For instance, the average hourly wage for a bookkeeper is $18.06. However, as a certified bookkeeper with some experience, you can receive $20 to $25 per hour or even more.

4. Enjoy More Chances of Promotion

As a certified bookkeeper, you show employers that you can handle more responsibilities than people with less education or training. Your online bookkeeping certification prepares you for advanced tasks with hands-on activities. As a result, you may enjoy promotion faster than other people who started work at the same time. Plus, the quick promotion also increases your salary potential.

5. Improve Your Knowledge and Skills

To earn a professional bookkeeping license, you must possess the knowledge and skills essential to this occupation. The certification teaches you all the practical skills you need to get started as a bookkeeping professional. Moreover, it assures companies that you are job-ready and won’t need extensive on-the-job training.

6. Ensure Ethical Conduct

Professional bookkeepers have to abide by strict ethical standards. Companies require these standards to ensure bookkeepers don't commit illegal activities. As a certified bookkeeper, you can quickly establish trust with your employers.

7. Gain Transferrable Skills

Even if you do not plan to work as a bookkeeper long-term, your certification can equip you with transferrable skills that will assist you in various industries and job roles. The skills that certifications inculcate in you can help you in all phases of your career. For instance, you may have to use the elementary concepts of document management and finance to make smart decisions in a different job role.

Want to learn more about starting a career as a certified bookkeeper? Explore our 100% online Certified Bookkeeper training course.