Does a career as a bookkeeper interest you? If so, you’re not the only one! It’s an attractive job for many people—for many different reasons.
First, it’s always going to be an in-demand skill, which means you’ll never be out of a job. It’s also often flexible work that you can generally do in your own time. As well as this, it’s interesting—no two days are the same.
If you think that you’d like to learn bookkeeping, this guide will help you see how to do just that. Read on to learn the steps you’ll need to take to become a professional bookkeeper.
Table of Contents
1. Determine Whether You Would Suit This Type of Work
Before you begin to pursue this career path, you should try to determine whether it’s a job you’ll be good at and enjoy. Read through the following characteristics and skills that are good for people in the bookkeeping profession to have.
- Attention to detail
- Organized
- Problem solver
- IT literate
- Time management
If you possess some or all of the above skills, there’s a good chance that bookkeeping is a career that will suit you well. Now all you need to do is find out how you can become a bookkeeper yourself.
2. Graduate High School
In order to become a bookkeeper, you’ll need to possess a high school diploma. If you have an equivalent such as a GED, this will work also. For most employers, this will be a requirement.
3. Complete Bookkeeping Training
Bookkeeping training can come in many different forms. You can teach yourself bookkeeping basics, read books, do an online course, or shadow an already qualified bookkeeper. The training period to become a bookkeeper usually lasts between 6 months and a year.
4. Get a Bookkeeping Certification
So, what is professional bookkeeper certification? It’s an accreditation to show you’ve successfully learned the skills necessary to become a bookkeeper. This isn’t a necessity to work as a bookkeeper, but it might make you more attractive to employers.
5. Apply for Entry Level Bookkeeping Jobs
Once you’re properly trained and certified, you can begin to apply for positions. Start off with entry-level roles so you can find your feet and learn in the field. You can look on job boards or reach out to businesses directly.
6. Advance Up the Professional Ladder
Once you’ve learned all you can in your entry-level position, you’ll be able to move onto more challenging roles. Always be looking to your future, and thinking about what opportunities you might want to pursue next. You might want to consider becoming a freelancer or getting a job with a bigger company.
Is it Time for You to Learn Bookkeeping?
If all of the above sounds exciting to you, this may be a sign that you should learn bookkeeping. Follow the above steps and you could be a professional bookkeeper in less than a year. If you’ve enjoyed this guide, don’t forget to take a look at the rest of our content.
Leave a Reply