If keeping records and being organized is your thing, there is a strong possibility of you thriving in a bookkeeping career. Because bookkeeping is conventionally an accounting field, bookkeepers are mainly involved in maintaining ledgers and financial records, organizing files and maintaining accounting software programs. If you’ve been considering taking a degree program in bookkeeping, here’s a roundup of the options you have. Degree Options Available Typically, those seeking out …
If keeping records and being organized is your thing, there is a strong possibility of you thriving in a bookkeeping career. Because bookkeeping is conventionally an accounting field, bookkeepers are mainly involved in maintaining ledgers and financial records, organizing files and maintaining accounting software programs.
If you’ve been considering taking a degree program in bookkeeping, here’s a roundup of the options you have.
Degree Options Available
Typically, those seeking out a career as bookkeepers go for accounting degrees. The entry-level degree is a two-year associate’s degree, while a bachelor’s degree can help one in advancing further in their careers.
Bookkeeping Certification
Job prospects for bookkeepers with certifications are better than for those without any certification. The National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) has an online exam, clearing which entitles bookkeepers to a certificate in bookkeeping. For bookkeepers specializing in payroll, the American Payroll Association administers the exam for the Certified Payroll Professional Certification.
Courses and Curriculum
When undertaking a degree in bookkeeping, the courses taught will include the following:
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Accounting Debits and Credits
Payroll Management
Balance Sheets
Income Statements
Cash Flow Statements
Bank Reconciliation
Ledger Preparation
Typical Industries That Bookkeepers Work For
Bookkeepers are typically employed by professional, scientific and technical services, which is a key employer industry. Besides these, retail trade, finance and insurance, wholesale trade, healthcare and social assistance are some other industries employing bookkeepers.
The working hours for most bookkeepers are full-time, with long hours spent at work at critical times such as at the end of the fiscal year, during tax filing dates, or when audits are performed.
Salary and Job Outlook for Bookkeepers
The 2010 median annual wage for bookkeepers was $34,030. With greater awareness about the required accuracy of financial statements after the recent financial crisis, and a mushrooming number of formal organizations, the job prospects for bookkeepers are quite promising. As of 2010, there were 1,898,300 jobs for bookkeepers, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees a 14 percent growth in employment for bookkeepers between 2010 and 2020.
So now that you know the ins and outs of a career in bookkeeping, do you think you’d like to pursue a degree in this field?
