The Value of the Professional Bookkeeper Designation
Today’s universities train individuals in the complexities of audit, tax, and accounting standards for large corporations. Little is mentioned regarding the day-to-day bookkeeping practices for small businesses.
In addition, bookkeepers are taking on more duties. In the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor declares that the “Demand for full-charge bookkeepers is expected to increase as they are called upon to do much of the work of accountants.”
In response to this demand, and to better prepare bookkeepers for their job requirements, the Universal Accounting Center℠ (UAC) offers a Professional Bookkeeper™ (PB) Program that trains individuals in full bookkeeper and accounting services. Upon completion, qualified students receive the PB designation, assuring potential employers and clients that these UAC graduates are qualified to take care of the small business owner’s bookkeeping needs.
The Personal Benefits of Becoming a PB
While many want to increase their incomes, either through better jobs or opening their own bookkeeping services, there are many other benefits in attaining the PB designation.
Demonstrate that you have proven skills in bookkeeping and accounting
Advance your career and potentially increase your compensation
Place “PB” after your name, distinguishing you from other bookkeepers
Raise your value to your company, employer or clients
The Professional Bookkeeper Course
Becoming a Professional Bookkeeper™ is essential for those involved in the day-to-day accounting procedures of small to mid-sized businesses. The PB designation is only offered to students of UAC.
The PB Program offers three learning modules in preparation for a final exam. The first module, Accounting Made Easy, will train you in the fundamental principles of accounting for small businesses. The second module, Practical Small Business Application, will train you in the day-to-day procedures used by businesses each month to record and tabulate their financial events. The third and final module, Advanced Accounting, will train you in the more sophisticated issues associated with creating a set of books from scratch, auditing the results internally, and closing out the books at the end of the year.
After approximately 48 hours of focused training in the practical applications of accounting procedures, you will take a final exam. To prepare, you must complete the three modules of the PB Program, including all the learning activities. Doing the workbooks in each section of each course should help you master the subject material and pass the test. Those passing with scores of 90% or greater are certified as Professional Bookkeepers.
The Professional Bookkeeper Exam
The exam questions, all multiple-choice, are taken from material covered in the three modules of the PB Program. The exam measures the skills and knowledge appropriate to a bookkeeper that handles all the bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities in a small business of virtually any industry.
To ensure exam integrity, each test is different. The questions are randomly selected from a pool of exam questions.
Upon completion, you will receive your score immediately, along with the questions you missed and the areas of the program you should review. To receive the Professional Bookkeeper™ Designation, you must earn a score of 90% or higher. However, to receive a Certificate of Completion, you only need a 65%. If unsuccessful in achieving an adequate score at your first sitting, you may retake the test after 30 days.
90-100% Professional Bookkeeper™ Designation
65-89% Certificate of Completion
0-64% Fail
You will receive your Professional Bookkeeper™ Designation or your Certificate of Completion in the mail within four weeks of taking the exam.