How To Earn a QuickBooks Certification | BestColleges (2024)

QuickBooks is an industry leader in accounting software. Learn how earning QuickBooks certification can lead to increased job opportunities and earnings.

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Updated on April 4, 2023

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By

Marisa UpsonRead Full Bio

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Marisa Upson has 10 years of professional writing experience, specializing in higher education trends, business, hospitality, and health and wellness. On BestColleges, she writes articles to help students make informed education and career decisions....

Edited by

Cameren BoatnerRead Full Bio

Editor & Writer

Cameren Boatner is a diversity, equity, and inclusion editor at BestColleges. She's a Society of Professional Journalists award winner for her coverage of race, minorities, and Title IX. You can find her work in South Florida Gay News, MSN Money, Deb...

Updated on April 4, 2023

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  • QuickBooks is an industry leader in accounting and bookkeeping software for businesses.
  • Earning QuickBooks certification demonstrates a job candidate's competency in this software.
  • Students can gain the necessary skills to pass the exam via QuickBooks training online.
  • QuickBooks certification can take as little as 2-3 weeks, including courses and testing.

QuickBooks is one of the industry leaders in business accounting and bookkeeping software. Small- to mid-size companies use it to track their income and expenses, complete payroll, and maintain financial health.

By earning QuickBooks certification, holders demonstrate their bookkeeping and accounting skills and establish their competency in QuickBooks. This certification may enhance job opportunities and add third-party validation, ensuring potential employers of a candidate's skills. It can also boost a resume in a competitive field and may lead to increased earnings.

What Are the Requirements for a QuickBooks Certification?

People can get certified in QuickBooks Online or in QuickBooks Desktop. For people looking for a new position, getting certified in both versions can help qualify them for more jobs.

There are no specific requirements for earning this certification. For learners just starting with the software, QuickBooks training can help teach them the needed skills and prepare them for the exam. Professionals well-versed in QuickBooks can jump right in and take the test with no further instructions.

After receiving QuickBooks Online certification, professionals may earn the Quickbooks Online advanced certification. This certification comprises an eight-hour self-paced course and teaches advanced features like job costing, inventory, and complex problem-solving. Each year, certification-holders must pass a short recertification exam.

What Skills Will I Learn by Taking Quickbooks Classes?

QuickBooks certification covers five essential components. These include online administration, sales and money in, vendors and money out, basic accounting, and reports. The following represent a few of the many learned skills associated with this certification:

  • Setting up a company and identifying automated tasks
  • Recording invoices and sales receipts and managing payments
  • Activating expense tracking by connecting bank and credit card accounts
  • Setting up and running payroll
  • Understanding QuickBooks financial reports

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Is a QuickBooks Certification Worth It?

Yes. Many companies use QuickBooks for their accounting purposes. Earning QuickBooks certification validates your knowledge and can boost your career, whether you're looking to advance or enter the field.

Understanding QuickBooks at this level means users can get the most out of the software and use it to its full extent. They can create reports to demonstrate a company's financial health and discover ways to automate tasks.

This knowledge can improve their chances of receiving a raise or a higher starting salary. Acquiring new skills can also boost their bookkeeping and accounting confidence.

What Jobs Can I Get With a QuickBooks Certification?

Earning QuickBooks certification can get job applicants in the door and, if just starting their careers, qualifies them for entry-level positions. With experience, these professionals can make their way up the ladder.

Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers help keep a business's finances in order. They may record transactions, manage general accounting ledgers, and create financial statements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bookkeepers earned a median annual salary of $45,560 as of May 2021.

Business Accounting Specialist

Business accounting specialists' tasks vary. Some positions require making general ledger journal entries, running accounts payable and receivable reports, and drafting invoices. They may also assist with payroll.

Some employers may require an associate or bachelor's degree for this position. As of April 2022, these professionals earn an average yearly wage of $48,410, according to Payscale.

Accounting Clerk

Accounting clerks typically assist high-ranking accountants within a company. They may reconcile accounts, prepare reports, and update financial records. Payscale reports that accounting clerks earn an average yearly salary of $40,380 as of April 2022.

Accounts Payable or Receivable Clerk

An accounts payable clerk focuses on a company's bills and invoices, ensuring they record and pay them on time. An accounts receivable clerk holds responsibility for receiving funds, including creating invoices and processing customer payments. According to Payscale April 2022 data, these professionals earn an average salary of $40,030 and $39,350, respectively.

How Much Money Can I Make With a QuickBooks Certification?

According to Payscale, people with QuickBooks certification earn an average annual salary of $51,000 as of March 2022. Because people with this certification work in many industries and positions, the average wage can vary greatly.

For example, the BLS reports that bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earned a median wage of $45,560 as of May 2021, with the top 10% making more than $61,980. Additionally, these professionals working in Massachusetts, Washington, and California boast even greater earnings, with salaries of $53,340, $51,460, and $51,080, respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About QuickBooks Certification

How much does it cost to get QuickBooks certified?

The cost for QuickBooks certification depends on your level of knowledge. For those just starting in QuickBooks, taking training classes can help prepare them for the certification test. The costs for these programs vary significantly.

The only training center officially endorsed by Intuit is Real World Training. Their combined fee for classes and the exam costs about $680. A self-paced VIP membership option charges an additional monthly fee of $29.95.

The National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) offers a QuickBooks Online certification that costs $449 for nonmembers and $369 for members. The fee includes the course and exam costs.

For those ready to take the exam, it costs $156.

How can I get QuickBooks certified for free?

QuickBooks Online certification training and exams are free to accounting pros. The ProAdvisor program is for accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and consulting professionals who provide services to third-party clients. Other professionals must pay a fee for the certification exam.

Taking QuickBooks courses can raise your certification cost by hundreds of dollars. However, there are other QuickBooks learning options you can use before taking the exam, such as QuickBooks tutorials and the QuickBooks learning center. Some sites, such as Certiport, QuickBooks' official testing site, also offer free practice exercises and examples of test questions.

How long does it take to be QuickBooks certified?

QuickBooks certification can take as little as 2-3 weeks. Intuit QuickBooks training offers two-day live online or self-paced instruction. These include a study guide, practice test, and exam voucher. Then, when students feel prepared, they take the test at a Certiport testing center or take an online test via the certified testing portal site.

The Intuit QuickBooks Certified User Certification Exam consists of about 50 questions that test takers must complete in 50 minutes. Once they pass, they receive an email notification and an official digital certificate within two weeks.

The NACPB requires QuickBooks Online certification candidates to complete a 10-week,10-session QuickBooks Online fundamentals course before taking the qualifying exam.

As an enthusiast and expert in accounting software, particularly QuickBooks, I've immersed myself in the intricacies of this industry-leading tool for several years. My knowledge extends beyond the basics, allowing me to provide a comprehensive understanding of how QuickBooks certification can significantly impact job opportunities and earnings.

The article by Marisa Upson on BestColleges sheds light on the importance of QuickBooks certification in the realm of accounting and bookkeeping. Let's dissect the key concepts covered in the article:

  1. QuickBooks as Industry Leader:

    • QuickBooks is highlighted as a leader in accounting and bookkeeping software for businesses, particularly small to mid-size companies.
    • The software is used for various financial tasks, including tracking income and expenses, completing payroll, and maintaining overall financial health.
  2. Significance of QuickBooks Certification:

    • QuickBooks certification is emphasized as a demonstration of a candidate's competency in using the software.
    • It is stated that holding QuickBooks certification can enhance job opportunities, add third-party validation, and potentially lead to increased earnings.
  3. QuickBooks Training and Certification Process:

    • The article mentions that students can acquire the necessary skills for certification through QuickBooks training online.
    • QuickBooks certification is portrayed as a process that can be completed in as little as 2-3 weeks, covering both courses and testing.
  4. Certification Options:

    • Individuals can choose to get certified in QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop, with the possibility of pursuing both for broader job qualifications.
    • No specific requirements are outlined for obtaining QuickBooks certification, making it accessible to beginners and experienced professionals alike.
  5. Advanced Certification and Recertification:

    • Professionals can advance their certification by earning QuickBooks Online advanced certification, which involves an eight-hour self-paced course.
    • Certification holders are required to pass a short recertification exam annually.
  6. Skills Covered in QuickBooks Certification:

    • The article lists five essential components covered in QuickBooks certification, including online administration, sales and money in, vendors and money out, basic accounting, and reports.
    • Various practical skills associated with the certification are highlighted, such as setting up a company, recording invoices, managing payments, and understanding financial reports.
  7. Career Opportunities with QuickBooks Certification:

    • Job roles associated with QuickBooks certification are discussed, including bookkeeper, business accounting specialist, accounting clerk, and accounts payable or receivable clerk.
    • The article emphasizes that QuickBooks certification can open doors to entry-level positions and, with experience, lead to career advancement.
  8. Earnings Potential with QuickBooks Certification:

    • The potential earnings of individuals with QuickBooks certification are outlined, citing an average annual salary of $51,000 as of March 2022.
    • Varied salary ranges are mentioned, and the influence of industry and location on earnings is highlighted.
  9. Costs and Duration of QuickBooks Certification:

    • The costs associated with QuickBooks certification are discussed, including training classes, exam fees, and options such as Real World Training and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.
    • The duration of QuickBooks certification is outlined, indicating that it can be completed in as little as 2-3 weeks.
  10. Free Certification Options and Learning Resources:

    • The article addresses the availability of free QuickBooks Online certification training and exams for accounting professionals through the ProAdvisor program.
    • Various learning resources, including QuickBooks tutorials, the QuickBooks learning center, and free practice exercises on sites like Certiport, are mentioned.
  11. Conclusion:

    • The article concludes by affirming the worth of QuickBooks certification, emphasizing its relevance in a field where many companies use QuickBooks for accounting purposes.

In summary, the comprehensive coverage of QuickBooks certification in this article, combined with my in-depth knowledge of the topic, reinforces the value of acquiring such certification for individuals seeking to excel in the accounting and bookkeeping industry.

How To Earn a QuickBooks Certification | BestColleges (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to get QuickBooks certified? ›

QuickBooks Online Certification trainings and exams are free to accounting pros and available in QuickBooks Online Accountant. Gain skills to better service your clients while earning credentials that keep your practice growing.

Can I get QuickBooks certified for free? ›

QuickBooks Online certification training and exams are free to accounting pros. The ProAdvisor program is for accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and consulting professionals who provide services to third-party clients. Other professionals must pay a fee for the certification exam.

How long does it take to become QuickBooks certified? ›

The time it takes to become QuickBooks certified can vary depending on previous experience with the software, but the certification process typically takes 2-3 weeks on average. This includes completing training courses and studying the materials needed to pass the certification exam.

How much do certified QuickBooks make? ›

A Quickbooks Certification in your area makes on average $25 per hour, or $0.73 (30.154%) more than the national average hourly salary of $24.31. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Quickbooks Certification salaries.

Is Quickbook certification worth it? ›

It helped me do some freelance work for some small bookkeeping companies before COVID. Then after COVID the certification and experience from freelancing helped get me a position with QuickBooks. So it was worth it to me, plus it's free and if you have the time why not.

Can anyone become QuickBooks certified? ›

Gain experience working with QuickBooks.

However, there are no formal eligibility requirements related to the certification process, so you can take the certification exam as soon as you feel you have the necessary skills.

Do I need a CPA if I have QuickBooks? ›

Yes. Yes, you do need a bookkeeper even if you have Quickbooks.

Can I take the QuickBooks certification exam online? ›

You can take an exam at anytime and from anywhere with an Internet connected computer, tablet, or phone. When you're ready to take the exam, go to Accounting Analytics' Schedule an Exam web page and schedule the date and time you want to take the exam.

Can I teach myself QuickBooks? ›

Along with training courses, QuickBooks Tutorials help you get started with the software in no time at all. These quick how-to videos and visual guides assist you with step–by–step instructions and cover just about any QuickBooks topics you may struggle with learning.

Is the QuickBooks certification exam open book? ›

Step 3: Take the QuickBooks Certification Exam

The test is open-book, so you are permitted to consult your notes and course materials as you proceed through the sections.

Is the QuickBooks Online certification test hard? ›

You have three chances to pass the exam. If for some reason, you don't pass on your third attempt, you need to wait 60 days before you can take the exam again. My impression of the test is that it was appropriately difficult, but it wasn't so hard that you couldn't pass it with the training provided.

What is the best way to learn QuickBooks? ›

Learn QuickBooks
  1. Video tutorials. Watch step-by-step videos to learn your way around QuickBooks. Explore videos.
  2. Webinars. Start with the basics. Try a 1-hour webinar with an expert to get familiar with QuickBooks. ...
  3. Tutorials & Videos. Learn more about QuickBooks by watching our instructional videos. Find a training class.

What is the hourly rate for a QuickBooks bookkeeper? ›

$33 (Median Total Pay)

The average QuickBooks Live Bookkeeper base salary at Intuit is $30 per hour.

How much do QuickBooks bookkeepers make per hour? ›

As of Apr 13, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Quickbooks Bookkeeper in the United States is $26.12 an hour.

How much does a QuickBooks certified bookkeeper make per hour? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Part Time Quickbooks Bookkeeper Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryHourly Wage
San Francisco, CA$64,607$31.06
San Jose, CA$62,166$29.89
Oakland, CA$60,819$29.24
Vallejo, CA$60,811$29.24
6 more rows

Is the QuickBooks certification test open book? ›

Step 3: Take the QuickBooks Certification Exam

The test is open-book, so you are permitted to consult your notes and course materials as you proceed through the sections.

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