Non-degree bookkeeping courses cover the essential skills you need to pursue an entry-level accounting career. A certificate program in bookkeeping offers a quick, cost-effective way to prepare for the workforce. These programs typically teach you to record financial transactions, maintain records, manage payables and receivables, and create financial documents.
Technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), continue to affect the bookkeeping profession. Modern accounting software has automated many of the manual tasks bookkeepers perform. Going forward, labor market experts believe that bookkeepers will need to adapt by building stronger consulting and analysis skills.
Choosing a bookkeeping course that emphasizes analytical accounting skills can enhance your employability amid a changing landscape. Review this program guide and ranking, which profiles the top bookkeeping certificate programs.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Certificates in Bookkeeping
#2 Best Bookkeeping Certificate Programs 2024
North Central State College
- Mansfield, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $197
Out-of-State | $393
Credits to Graduate: 20
NC State's certified bookkeeping certificate provides instruction on financial accounting, taxation, and bookkeeping tools to prepare students for certification from the American Institution of Professional Bookkeepers. The certificate transfers into the school's applied business associate degree in accounting. Learners may complete the eight-course program in as little as one year.
One course at the end of the program targets certification prep only, providing an in-depth review of covered topics and their application to the certification exam.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Bookkeeping Certificate Programs 2024
William Rainey Harper College
- Palatine, IL
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-District | $136
Out-of-District | $393
Out-of-State | $468
Credits to Graduate: 7-8
Harper College's bookkeeper/clerk certificate can apply directly to an accounting associate degree or function as a stand-alone education for prospective entry-level accounting professionals. Students take just four classes, with a choice between an introductory course in accounting or financial accounting. Other topics include spreadsheet software and QuickBooks.
Harper College requires each certificate applicant to submit official high school or college transcripts and pay a $25 application fee. Students can pay for their classes at one time or monthly using Harper's interest-free installment plan.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
71%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Best Bookkeeping Certificate Programs 2024
Moraine Park Technical College
- Fond du Lac, WI
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $150
Out-of-State | $224
Credits to Graduate: 15
The bookkeeper technical diploma from MPTC prepares students to manage financial data for businesses through hands-on practice with accounting skills and tools. The program is available online and transferable to other MPTC programs, including the accounting associate degree and the tax preparer assistant certificate. Learners can also transfer applicable credits from MPTC or other schools into the program.
This certificate includes five courses covering accounting concepts, data management, and Microsoft Office skills. Students can typically complete the program in just two semesters.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Best Bookkeeping Certificate Programs 2024
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Green Bay, WI
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $163
Out-of-State | $236
Credits to Graduate: 14-16
Students can take NWTC's small business bookkeeping certificate program online over two eight-week semesters.
The program requires eight courses introducing Microsoft Excel and Word, mathematical reasoning, and accounting concepts, such as payroll and creating and managing computer ledgers. Learners also choose between two QuickBooks courses, each transferring to different accounting diplomas and degrees at NWTC.
NWTC offers a no-interest monthly installment plan for tuition payments, which includes a $30 enrollment fee.
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
41%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Our Ranking Methodology
Accounting.com ranks the best accounting degrees using reputable sources such as the U.S. Department of Education. We build our rankings with four main metrics in mind: academics, cost, reputation, and program availability. We also consider subfactors like retention rate, federal aid amounts, and return on investment to help you find the right program for you.
This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about our process by visiting our school rankings methodology page.
Why Get a Bookkeeping Certificate?
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Build Practical Knowledge
Bookkeeping courses and certificate programs offer targeted training in career-relevant subjects. The work experience you may acquire after completing your program can contribute to the requirements for certified public accountant (CPA) licensure.
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Prepare for Credentialing Exams
Recognized bookkeeping certifications like the certified bookkeeper (CB) and certified public bookkeeper (CPB) credentials may boost your earning power. For instance, Payscale data from August 2024 indicates an average annual salary of $59,000 for CBs. This figure exceeds the average bookkeeper salary reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by almost $10,000.
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Enter the Workforce Quickly
An enrollee can usually complete a bookkeeping certificate in less time than a two-year associate degree in accounting. This route saves education costs and supports quick entry into the workforce, allowing you to begin gaining experience while earning money.
What to Expect From a Bookkeeping Certificate
Certificate programs cover the core accounting, analytical, technical, and data processing skills you need to work as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk. Some programs specifically prepare students for CB or CPB certification exams.
Program structures vary. Some use standalone bookkeeping courses, which you can take individually or in designed sequences. Others may comprise up to three semesters of curated coursework. Still, even the most detailed diploma or undergraduate certificate programs require less than the two years you would need to complete an associate degree.
Schools offer bookkeeping courses and certificates in face-to-face and online formats. Traditional classroom-based programs offer networking opportunities and make it easier to leverage your instructor's knowledge and experience through personal interactions. Online courses and programs tend to have more scheduling flexibility.
Admissions Process
Many schools use open admissions policies for their bookkeeping courses. To enroll, you only need to cover your registration and tuition fees and meet minimum requirements. These materials typically include a high school diploma, but some programs do not even specify that as a necessity. Instead, schools aim to make their bookkeeper training programs accessible by lowering this barrier of entry.
By comparison, undergraduate degree programs in accounting have more strict admission standards, often explicitly requiring a high school diploma or the equivalent. Math or business prerequisites, minimum academic achievement cutoffs, and/or standardized test scores also commonly apply.
Popular Bookkeeping Courses
The classes you will take in your bookkeeping program depend on its scope and structure. If you enroll in a multi-term program, your coursework will likely cover a sequenced, survey-style review of core concepts. Classes aim to develop specific professional skills, especially in the areas covered by the following sample curriculum.
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Introduction to Bookkeeping or Accounting: This foundational course introduces essential concepts and practices used in bookkeeping and accounting. Longer programs often split this component into multiple modules. You may spend your initial term or semester proceeding through these modules, building an agile knowledge base for future skills development.
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Computerized Accounting: In this course, students learn how to use common computerized accounting tools like Excel and QuickBooks. Schools increasingly emphasize the automation capabilities of these platforms, instructing students on how to use software to improve their speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
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Financial Reporting for Small Businesses: Many bookkeepers and accounting clerks go on to work for small businesses, which have unique financial tracking and recording needs. This course introduces the financial documents and statements small businesses use to track their transactions, business income, and tax liabilities. Students also explore associated compliance standards and legal requirements.
How Much Do Bookkeeping Certificates Cost?
Schools apply variable fee structures to their bookkeeping certificate programs. Some charge flat rates for the entire program, while others calculate tuition per course. In the latter case, you can select your bookkeeping courses and pay for them individually.
Given these variables, it is difficult to generalize about costs. However, a bookkeeping certificate program generally costs less than an associate degree. For a reference point, you can use data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In 2022-23, the NCES reported a national average of $3,598 to attend a public two-year junior college as an in-state student.
Whether you study on campus or online, you may face additional costs beyond tuition. For instance, you may need to purchase subscriptions or software licenses for one or more accounting software packages. Research and account for these costs as you plan for your studies.
Should You Take Bookkeeping Courses Online?
Online learning can translate well to bookkeeping. E-learning platforms present bookkeeping and accounting material in a clear, concise, student-friendly format. Many online bookkeeping courses and programs also offer self-pacing and self-scheduling options, making them more flexible and convenient.
At the same time, online learning has some limitations. If you have questions about the material, you may not receive an immediate answer from instructors in asynchronous courses. You may prefer the structure and support offered by face-to-face learning over an online course.
If you would like to self-assess your suitability for online learning, consider trying out a free massive open online course (MOOC) in bookkeeping first.
Bookkeeping Jobs and Salaries
Bookkeeping courses and certificate programs can lead to entry-level employment opportunities. While some of these jobs offer some growth potential, you may need to upgrade your educational credentials to qualify for advancement.
Fortunately, the experience you can acquire in these roles may support your academic success if you pursue an accounting degree.
Bookkeepers track financial transactions and maintain financial records. They take care of day-to-day operational functions involving incoming and outgoing money, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. Bookkeepers also prepare, issue, and resolve invoices, bills, and sales records.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): -5%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $47,440
Source: BLS
Accounting clerks are very similar to bookkeepers but typically work in larger organizations. While their roles focus on support-level accounting functions, they sometimes extend to customer service. For instance, accounting clerks may take an active role in managing the accounts of clients who regularly purchase the company's products or services.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): -5%
- Average Annual Salary (August 2024): $44,170
Source: BLS, Payscale
Auditing Clerk
Auditing is an accounting specialization focused on analyzing financial records and verifying their accuracy and legal compliance. Businesses sometimes perform internal audits. External agencies also conduct audits. Auditing clerks play supporting roles in these processes, checking over transactions and documents for potential inaccuracies or inconsistencies.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): -5%
- Average Annual Salary (August 2024): $49,870
Source: BLS, Payscale
Should You Get a Bookkeeping or Accounting Certificate?
Schools offer non-degree programs in bookkeeping and accounting. The differences between the two pathways may not be readily apparent, as these two fields overlap in many ways.
In general, bookkeeping programs emphasize practical skills and core essentials. Meanwhile, many accounting certificate programs assume that students have some familiarity with fundamentals. As such, they may focus more on technical and targeted uses for those skills, or on how they can be used to help businesses make decisions.
The following table breaks down the differences in further detail.
Comparing Bookkeeping and Accounting Certificate Programs
| Key Factor |
Bookkeeping Certificate |
Accounting Certificate |
| Purpose |
Preparation for entry-level bookkeeping or accounting careers |
Preparation for accounting licensure or certification educational requirements or exams; build on existing accounting knowledge or skills |
| Number of Courses |
Variable; usually about 3-9 |
Typically 6-9 |
| Program Structure |
Customizable and standardized curricula are both available; students may have the option of taking individual courses or designing their own sequences |
Standardized curriculum covering multiple terms or semesters; fewer personalization options |
| Admission Requirements |
High school diploma or equivalent; some schools do not specify any admission requirements |
High school diploma or equivalent; some programs may require college-level mathematics or accounting coursework, or an undergraduate degree |
| Topics Covered |
Introductory bookkeeping or accounting, business mathematics, computerized bookkeeping platforms |
Introductory to intermediate accounting; cost, financial, and/or managerial accounting; taxation; accounting information systems |
Sources: Bakersfield College, Hofstra University, San Diego State University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Washington
Differences Between Bookkeeping Certificates and Certifications
As you research bookkeeping and accounting professions, you will likely encounter the terms "certificate" and "certification." Despite sounding similar, the terms refer to very different items, making it important to understand their differences.
A bookkeeping certificate indicates that you have completed a career-focused, non-degree training program. The term "certificate" specifically refers only to the academic components involved in your training.
A bookkeeping certification is a professional designation awarded to qualified candidates by third-party agencies. Major examples include the CB certification offered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the CB and CPB credentials issued by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers.
Earning a certification involves three main steps:
- Completing the certifying agency's educational requirements
- Meeting the certifying agency's work experience guidelines
- Passing a certification exam
In other words, a certificate may help you meet the educational requirements you need to qualify for certification.
Common Questions About Bookkeeping Certificates
Which bookkeeping course is the best?
If you have no knowledge of bookkeeping, it's best to start with introductory courses or multi-step modules that build fundamental skills. From there, you can branch out into more technical and focused areas.
Is a bookkeeping certificate worth it?
Bookkeeping certificates can deliver value by verifying your skills to employers. Certificate programs can also help you meet the educational requirements for professional certifications, which can increase your earning power and improve your employment prospects.
How long does it take to learn bookkeeping?
According to the BLS, you can acquire the knowledge and skills required to become a bookkeeper in about six months. The longer you prepare, the deeper and broader your skills are likely to become.
Can I learn bookkeeping on my own?
Yes — you can certainly learn and even master the core concepts of bookkeeping through independent study. However, employers may not recognize your skills without formal documentation. Academic programs offered through accredited institutions provide an important level of validation that may improve your chances of landing a job.
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