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Ashworth College Blog

How Do You Become a Certified Bookkeeper?

Written by Autumn Granza on Monday, 14 October 2019. Posted in Career

Person writing and laptops.

You’re detail-oriented and working with numbers excites you. You have an interest in math and would enjoy a career that allows you to work with financial information. Here’s how Ashworth can help you help small businesses or companies with our online Bookkeeping Career Diploma program.

What is bookkeeping?

If you’re excited by financial data and statistical reports, then a career in bookkeeping may be right for you. As a bookkeeper, you’ll maintain records of financial transactions, establish accounts, and ensure compliance, to name a few tasks. You’ll record financial transactions for small businesses or companies. This may be done through spreadsheets and financial software. Without bookkeepers, businesses would have a hard time planning for future investments.

What’s the difference between accounting and bookkeeping?

You know what tasks are required of a bookkeeper, but what does an accountant do? Accountants interpret financial documents, analyze trends, and report on projected trends. They also help businesses decide whether or not they should make purchases or investments. Accountants are usually required to earn an associate or undergraduate degree.

What qualifications do you need to be a bookkeeper?

While bookkeepers aren’t required to hold two-or four-year degrees, training in the field is a must. Good bookkeepers should also have

  • Computer skills. As a bookkeeper, you should be comfortable using a computer and working with spreadsheets and bookkeeping software.
  • Math skills. You’ll be dealing with numbers daily. Bookkeepers should be comfortable with basic arithmetic.
  • An attention to detail. In your role, you’ll be responsible for producing financial records. You must pay attention to details in order to avoid mistakes and maintain accuracy.

Ashworth’s online bookkeeping course helps prepare students for a career as a bookkeeper. Our program may also help students sit for the National Bookkeepers Association (NBA) Bookkeeper Certification Exam.

How much can you earn as a bookkeeper?

After completing our bookkeeping program, students should be able to understand the role and duties as a bookkeeper, make accurate accounting entries, and prepare documents for budgeting, internal controls, and record retention. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the median salary for a bookkeeper was $45,560 per year.

Start your career with Ashworth

An understanding of financial records will help you on your career journey towards becoming a bookkeeper. Whether you want to enter the field or start your own business, Ashworth can help you prepare to reach your goals. If you’re ready to put your math skills to work call an Admissions Advisor at or enroll online today.

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