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
Bookkeeper certificates develop entry-level accounting and bookkeeper skills through focused, condensed programs. Using the ranking methodology described below, we identified the top certificates available.
#3 Best Bookkeeping Certificates
William Rainey Harper College
- Palatine, IL
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Since opening in 1967, Harper has grown to enroll more than 35,000 students. The school has 10 academic areas of interest and over 180 programs.
Accounting Bookkeeper/Clerk Certificate
The accounting bookkeeper/clerk certificate at Harper equips learners with basic software tools and application skills. Students take introductory and advanced spreadsheet software courses, along with introductory and financial accounting.
Harper runs this bookkeeper program at its Palatine campus, the Prospect Heights' Learning and Career Center, and online. The school also offers a 20-credit advanced accounting bookkeeper/clerk certificate program. Graduates can use the credits earned in these programs toward associate degrees in accounting.
Applying to Harper
Each candidate must provide transcripts demonstrating they possess a high school diploma or GED certificate, along with a $25 application fee.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Tuition: $134/credit for in-district students, $391/credit for out-of-district students, and $466/credit (out of state).
- Required Credits: 7-8
- Delivery Format: On campus, online, or hybrid
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Best Bookkeeping Certificates
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Johnstown, PA
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Since its founding in 1993, Penn Highlands has educated more than 60,000 students. The school now enrolls over 1,200 students annually in more than 45 degree and certificate programs.
Bookkeeping Certificate
Penn Highlands has a bookkeeping certificate that prepares students to prepare and analyze financial statements. Learners take courses in automated and managerial accounting, plus federal taxation and microcomputer applications.
Along with transferring credits into associate degrees, graduates can qualify for the certified bookkeeper credential with the American Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Penn Highlands provides graduates with career support, such as access to job fairs and a central job board.
Applying to Penn Highlands
For admission, an applicant needs a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Penn Highlands features no application fees.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Tuition: $226-$303/credit (in state); $423/credit (out of state)
- Required Credits: 24
- Delivery Format: 100% online, on campus, or hybrid
Out-of-state
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
36%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
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 April 2024 indicates an average annual salary of $58,000 for CBs. This figure exceeds the average bookkeeper salary reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by nearly $8,500.
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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 2021-22, the NCES reported a national average of $3,564 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 (2022-32): -6%
- 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 (2022-32): -6%
- Average Annual Salary (April 2024): $43,550
Source: BLS, Payscale (April 2024)
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 (2022-32): -6%
- Average Annual Salary (April 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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