In today’s fast-paced business world, proficiency in accounting software isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity. For anyone looking to excel in bookkeeping, accounting, or even as a tax preparer, mastering QuickBooks is a game-changer. A QuickBooks certification not only validates your skills but also opens doors to new career opportunities, higher earning potential, and increased client trust.
At Universal Accounting School, we’ve seen firsthand how this credential transforms careers. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to getting your QuickBooks certification and why it’s a valuable investment for your future.
Is QuickBooks Certification Worth It? The Unquestionable Value
If you’re wondering, “Is QuickBooks certification worth it?”, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why:
- Enhanced Credibility and Trust: A certification from Intuit, the creators of QuickBooks, is a powerful endorsement. It demonstrates to employers and clients that you have a comprehensive understanding of the software and can be trusted with their financial data. This is particularly crucial for freelance bookkeepers or accounting professionals seeking new clients.
- Competitive Advantage: The accounting and bookkeeping landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with advancements in AI and automation. A QuickBooks certification sets you apart from the crowd, proving that you have the in-demand technological skills that employers are seeking. Many companies now prefer or even require this certification for bookkeeping positions.
- Increased Earning Potential: Certified professionals often command higher salaries. According to various reports, a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor can earn significantly more than their non-certified counterparts. This credential directly translates to a higher return on your investment in training and time.
- Access to the ProAdvisor Program: Earning your certification, specifically the QuickBooks Online certification, makes you eligible to join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program. This program offers a suite of benefits, including a free listing on the “Find-a-ProAdvisor” directory, marketing resources, discounted QuickBooks Online pricing for your clients, and dedicated support. This is invaluable for growing your practice.
- Streamlined Tax Preparation: For a tax preparer certification, knowing QuickBooks is a massive advantage. The software simplifies tracking income, expenses, and generating reports, making tax season far less stressful for both you and your clients. You can easily pull accurate financial data to ensure compliance and maximize deductions.
Your Step-by-Step Road to QuickBooks Certification
Ready to leap? Here is your practical, step-by-step guide to achieving your QuickBooks certification.
Step 1: Choose Your QuickBooks Version
Intuit offers certifications for both QuickBooks Online (QBO) and QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based version, which is widely used by small and medium-sized businesses for its flexibility and accessibility. QuickBooks Desktop is a traditional, on-premise software.
For most professionals, the QuickBooks Online certification is the most popular and relevant choice due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based accounting solutions. Intuit also offers a QuickBooks Online Advanced Certification for those who want to master more complex features.
Step 2: Access the Training and Resources
Once you’ve decided on the version, the next step is to prepare. Intuit provides a wealth of training resources through its ProAdvisor Academy. To access these, you’ll need to sign up for a free QuickBooks Online Accountant account.
The ProAdvisor Academy offers:
- Self-Paced Training Modules: These modules cover all the key topics and functionalities of QuickBooks, from basic setup to advanced reporting. You can learn at your own pace, fitting the training around your schedule.
- Live Webinars: Intuit hosts live webinars taught by experienced ProAdvisors. These sessions provide in-depth instruction and an opportunity to ask questions.
- Study Guides and Practice Exams: These are crucial for your preparation. The study guides outline the exam objectives, and practice exams help you get a feel for the format and types of questions you’ll encounter.
At Universal Accounting School, we supplement these resources with our specialized QuickBooks training courses. Our programs are designed to provide you with hands-on, practical experience, ensuring you’re not just memorizing information but truly mastering the software. We offer structured curricula and expert-led instruction to give you the confidence you need to ace the exam.
Step 3: Master the Key Concepts
The QuickBooks certification exam covers several core competencies. To pass, you’ll need a solid understanding of:
- Setup and Maintenance: This includes setting up a new company file, creating a chart of accounts, and managing users.
- Sales and Money In: Learn how to create invoices, record sales receipts, manage customers, and process payments.
- Purchases and Money Out: Master bill management, tracking expenses, and paying vendors.
- Banking and Reconciliation: This is a critical skill. You’ll need to know how to connect bank and credit card accounts, categorize transactions, and reconcile accounts to ensure accuracy.
- Reporting: Understand how to generate and customize reports, such as Profit and Loss statements, Balance Sheets, and cash flow reports, to provide valuable insights to clients.
- Payroll and Tax Management: Learn how to set up and run payroll, and track sales tax and payroll tax liabilities.
Our courses at Universal Accounting School focus heavily on these practical skills, using real-world scenarios to help you apply your knowledge.
Step 4: Understand the QuickBooks Online Pricing for Accountants
As an accounting professional, you can get significant benefits from QuickBooks’ pricing structure. Through the ProAdvisor Program, you can get discounted subscriptions for your clients, making your services more attractive. While the general QuickBooks Online pricing for businesses has seen a steady increase in recent years, the benefits offered to ProAdvisors often help offset these costs and provide a valuable revenue stream. For example, in 2025, pricing for plans like Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced have seen increases, but as a certified professional, you can access special pricing and support that a regular user cannot.
Step 5: Take the Exam
Once you feel confident in your preparation, it’s time to take the exam. The QuickBooks Online certification exam is typically a multiple-choice, online assessment that you can take at your convenience. You have a set amount of time to complete it, and you’ll receive your results immediately.
A major benefit of the ProAdvisor Program is that it often includes free certification exams with retakes. This reduces the financial pressure and allows you to focus on your performance. If you don’t pass on your first try, you can retake the exam after a waiting period.
Your Career After Certification
Congratulations, you’re now a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor! What’s next?
- Update Your Resume and Profile: Immediately add your certification to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and business website. Use the official certification badges provided by Intuit to showcase your expertise.
- Join the Find-a-ProAdvisor Directory: If you’re a freelance professional, this is your most powerful marketing tool. A certified profile on this directory will help potential clients find you and trust your services.
- Continue Your Education: QuickBooks is a dynamic software that receives regular updates. Stay current by taking recertification courses each year to maintain your ProAdvisor status and learn about new features. This keeps your skills sharp and ensures you remain an expert in the field.
Partner with Universal Accounting School
Getting a QuickBooks certification is a strategic move for your career. It’s a tangible asset that demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your proficiency in the industry’s leading accounting software.
At Universal Accounting School, we are dedicated to helping you succeed. Our comprehensive QuickBooks training programs are designed to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to not only pass the certification exam but also to excel in your career. Universal Accounting School to learn more about our courses and start your journey towards becoming a certified QuickBooks expert today.
