Calling All Bookkeepers! (find a job, school, colleges)

[lialleycat]

I'm considering moving from Administrative work to bookkeeping. I have a college degree in Business Admin, but have decided after many years that it just doesn't do it for me and I want to move on. I've done a little bookkeeping here and there - but mostly stuff I learned on the fly for non-profit organizations.

So, I want to know from the Bookkeepers out there - did you just learn on the go? Did you take classes? If so, where? Would you recommend them? I'm thinking I'd feel more comfortable with some vocational training. I know QuickBooks, but have never used PeachTree. Will getting a certification from somewhere make me more employable?

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!

[arangoa79]

If you go on-line and search for certified bookkeepers you will find a few organizations that offer training and a certificate. I would also suggest taking some basic accounting classes at your local college. Quick books does everything for you, it's meant for people with no or little knowledge of basic accounting principals. It's good to know how the process works even though the program does it for you. GL

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by arangoa79

If you go on-line and search for certified bookkeepers you will find a few organizations that offer training and a certificate. I would also suggest taking some basic accounting classes at your local college. Quick books does everything for you, it's meant for people with no or little knowledge of basic accounting principals. It's good to know how the process works even though the program does it for you. GL

I see there are quite a few online courses. However, I'm assuming some of them are just rip offs, especially in this economy. So I wanted to find out what experiences others had and if there is a good school that is not a rip off.

I had some basic accounting courses as part of my Business Admin degree. I can and do use QuickBooks in my volunteer work, but I wanted to learn a little bit more than I already know so that I can actually call myself a bookkeeper and not just someone who can navigate QB a bit.

[hmtklein]

QuickBooks has a "certified user program" online it might help you find a job having that on your resume. Something like 84% of small business use QB.... learning it top to bottom and getting a solid handle on Accounting was the best thing I've ever done for my career, I also have a BS in business.

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by hmtklein

QuickBooks has a "certified user program" online it might help you find a job having that on your resume. Something like 84% of small business use QB.... learning it top to bottom and getting a solid handle on Accounting was the best thing I've ever done for my career, I also have a BS in business.

Thanks Hmtklein! I'll check that out!

[okaydorothy]

I am heading back to college in June to do accounting.

d

[arangoa79]

Some colleges offer special certificates through other organization so your local college may be a good starting point.

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

I am heading back to college in June to do accounting.

d

Are you going here or in PA? I could probably go back to St. Joe's and take the few courses I needed to make my BA in Business a double major in Business and Accounting.