How Do I Become A Bookkeeper?

by Willette Francis

Are you terrific at crunching numbers? Do friends and family consider you a human calculator? If you love everything about numbers, then a career in auditing is right for you. Auditing is a field in high demand and will continue to grow. All you number connoisseurs will have tons of employment opportunities in auditing, whether it's a large or small company. Everyone needs a trustworthy, precise auditing professional to oversee the finance's of the company.

How do I become a bookkeeper?
Those interested in being bookkeeping, accounting and/or auditing clerk should have received at least a high school diploma. For some positions, some college or an associate degree in business or accounting is required. Most auditing positions don't require a bachelors degree, but gaining experience , on the job, in this field is the key to having a successful career in auditing.
On the job, through training and guidance from experienced employees, entry level clerks learn the procedures and practices of the company. Clerks may need additional classroom training in special software programs essential to this industry. It is also great to have office experience with knowledge software, including word processing and spreadsheet software.

Other skills necessary for this job are to be detail-oriented, meticulous, able to be discreet with confidential information, excellent communication skills, and most importantly exceptional with numbers.
Auditing professionals could find it beneficial to receive certification in their field. Bookkeepers, accountants and auditing clerks can achieve designation as a certified bookkeeper through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. Those seeking certification have to have two years experience, pass an exam and know and abide by the code of ethics. Colleges and universities offer courses to prepare you for certification.

What will I learn in bookkeeping school?
For auditing careers, a degree an associate or bachelor degree in accounting will provide you with the information and skills needed for a great career in accounting. Coursework for accounting majors include but are not limited to corporate fraud analysis, government and not-for- profit accounting, managerial accounting, principles of banking, income tax, business law, business ethics, introduction to business, professional communication, excel, microcomputers, and business basics. These course are designed to help the auditing professional complete the responsibilities and task given to them by their employers. In addition to studying accounting, future auditing professionals can also study banking, financial accounting, and financial investigations to prepare for auditing careers.
An associates or bachelors degree in business can also serve as a good base for careers in auditing. Business degrees include courses in accounting, finance and management , such as introduction to accounting I and II, software tools for business, managerial and economic statistics, computers in information processing, business law, and organizational theory and management, which are relative to careers in auditing. Many of these degrees can be received online in the comfort of your own home and on your own time. Each college and university has unique programs in accounting and business, so it is best to do research their programs to find one that's right for you.