There’s no lack of bookkeeping certification options these days.
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.
Universal Accounting School - Professional Bookkeeper Program
Accounting basics, small business applications, establishing a bookkeeping system, starting a bookkeeping business
60 hours
$3,091
1. NACPB Bookkeeper Certification
Source: NACPB
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
Source: Intuit
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
Source: edX
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
Source: Coursera
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
Source: Penn Foster
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
Source: AIPB
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
Source: Universal Accounting School
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.
