In order to become a Certified Public Accountant most states require individuals to pass the Uniform CPA Examination and meet educational, experiential and ethical requirements. This can take a lot of time and energy. But you must be a CPA to do bookkeeping, right?
Wrong!
While only CPAs can audit a company’s books and validate their financial information, you don’t need to become a Certified Public Accountant to act as an accountant or bookkeeper.
What Bookkeepers Do
There are eight steps to the bookkeeping cycle. A bookkeeper performs one or more of these steps and is sometimes called an AAT (accounting technician). In large companies, for instance, the bookkeeping cycle might be divided into departments such as Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, or Payroll. While most often these people are referred to as ‘clerks,’ they might also be considered bookkeepers because they are “keeping the books” for a company. In small companies, the bookkeeper may perform the entire bookkeeping process or might just enter data to give to the “accountant.”
What Accountants Do
Someone has to set up the bookkeeping system, monitor it, and interpret the results. These processes are called “accounting.” The accounting process is much less mechanical and more subjective. It begins with designing a system that will benefit the business by capturing the financial information in a useful manner without being overly burdensome to the bookkeeper. Once established, the accountant monitors the system to ensure it is doing what it’s supposed to do. And finally, on what’s generally a monthly basis, the accountant presents the financial statements to business management in such a way that important financial decisions can be made.
You Can Do BOTH without Becoming a CPA
Universal’s Professional Bookkeeper (PB) program will train you in small-business bookkeeping and accounting without requiring you to jump through those CPA hoops. Whether you’re looking to earn a promotion at work or whether are interested in launching your own accounting practice, this course will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to succeed.
The course includes the following four modules:
1. Accounting Made Easy. This module will enable you to master the tools, procedures, and underlying principles that comprise the bookkeeping processes of all businesses. Once completed, you will understand the core building blocks of Accounting and Bookkeeping.
2. Practical Small Business Applications. Apply your understanding of the core accounting principles to specific industries. You will learn to set up books from scratch, do payroll like a seasoned pro, and much more.
3. Advancing Your “Account-Ability.” Set up complete bookkeeping systems and manage the books for a variety of more sophisticated industries.
4. Building a Success Accounting Service. Learn the steps to finding paying clients. You will be fully equipped to start and grow a successful accounting practice.
So, you see, you don’t need to be a CPA to have a thriving accounting or bookkeeping practice. Universal’s PB program will enable you to train on your own time and at your own pace. In fact, within a couple months you could earn your Professional Bookkeeper’s Certification and have a growing clientele.
To enroll in the PB program, or to learn how Universal’s training can advance your career, call 1 -877-833-7909 now!