Certified Bookkeeper

A certified bookkeeper can be a lifesaver for a small business, contributing an advanced level of accounting experience and financial acumen to your company. These highly trained professionals must complete a certain number of hours of on-the-job experience in double entry accounting before they can become certified. In addition, a certified bookkeeper, or CB, must have a thorough knowledge of bookkeeping before he or she can take the national exam.

When you bring a certified bookkeeper on board with your company, you know that you're drawing from a wealth of experience and training. CBs must not only prove their skills by working in accounting for a number of years before they qualify for examination; they must continue their education by earning a certain number of credits each year after they've been certified. A bookkeeper who's been nationally certified must also adhere to a professional code of ethics that confirms his or her commitment to a higher professional standard of integrity.

Advantages of Using a Bookkeeper

Poor basic accounting calculation practices are one of the primary reasons that small businesses do not achieve success. In many cases, a small company will trust its books to a founding partner who has little expertise in keeping accurate records, maintaining a payroll or filing taxes. The financial record keeping for a smaller organization may put off until the last minute in favor of other urgent projects. At tax time, the company may struggle to pull together the correct documents so that taxes can be filed on time. A delay in filing commercial tax returns can result in costly penalties.

Certified bookkeeping specialists know how to keep track of financial data, maintain accurate payroll records and keep up with taxes to ensure that you maximize your deductions each year. A bookkeeper with national certification can also set up an inventory system using advanced merchandise tracking software, so that you can quickly access information about these valuable assets. In addition, a certified bookkeeper can help you prevent fraud by employees, vendors or clients by helping you identify cases of theft.

Hiring a certified professional gives you and your employees greater peace of mind. You and your staff can enjoy your work knowing that a qualified professional is tracking your finances. Instead of delegating the essential responsibilities of bookkeeping to an underqualified employee, you can hand over these important tasks to a professional bookkeeper who has years of experience and training to draw from, as well as a passion for detail and a keen interest in maintaining accuracy in all of your financial records.

Qualifications of a Certified Bookkeeper

The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, or AIPB, oversees the certification of bookkeeping professionals to ensure that the profession maintains consistently high standards. [1] The AIPB requires that CBs continue their education throughout their career, so that they will always be current on the latest laws and regulations affecting accounting or taxation. The professional code of ethics maintained by CBs was developed by the AIPB to reinforce the commitment to integrity that a professional bookkeeper must maintain.

In order to take the national certification exam, a candidate must have completed at least 2 years of professional full-time experience, or the equivalent number of hours in part time or freelance work. He or she must also agree to sign the AIPB's code of ethics and pass a national examination. Each year, a certified bookkeeper must complete a certain number of hours of continuing education in order to maintain his or her certification status.

A bookkeeper who meets these standards and passes the national exam is well qualified to take over the payroll, tax preparation or inventory of your business. These professionals have a commitment to honest, ethical financial practices as well as an eye for accounting details. To stay on track with your financial goals and avoid the accounting pitfalls that undermine many growing businesses, consider adding a certified bookkeeper to your team.

Finding Certified Professionals

Finding a certified bookkeeper who meets your company's requirements may be easier than you realize. There are many highly qualified bookkeepers throughout the United States, and internet technology has made it easy to locate and hire professionals in your area. Look for specialists who carry the CB designation when you search for qualified accounting experts online.

Bookkeepers are hired as full time or part time employees or as freelancers, depending on the requirements of a business. Whether you use the services of a certified bookkeeper on a part time or full time basis, you'll appreciate the expertise and efficiency that these professionals bring to your workplace. Use the free request form on our site to find a bookkeeping expert who can provide the support your business requires to maintain accurate records, meet financial obligations and achieve your company's professional goals.

[1] http://www.aipb.org/certification_program.htm 05/06/11