How to Become a Certified QuickBooks Bookkeeper Online: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Bookkeeping is one of the most important skills in business, and it will always be in demand. Whether you are running your own small business, freelancing, or looking to add a side hustle, knowing how to manage money, track expenses, and handle finances is essential. And the good news? You don’t need to be an accountant to do it. With tools like QuickBooks, anyone can easily track their business’s finances and stay organized. 

QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software tools used by businesses worldwide. It helps users manage financial tasks such as payroll, invoicing, expense tracking, and even reporting. Millions of small and medium-sized businesses trust QuickBooks, making it a highly valuable skill for those pursuing a career in bookkeeping or accounting. 

If you're thinking about becoming a certified bookkeeper using QuickBooks, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through how to get certified online, step by step. Whether you’re just getting started or want to improve your existing skills, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to become a certified QuickBooks bookkeeper. 

Why Get QuickBooks Certified? 

You might be wondering, “Why should I get certified in QuickBooks?” There are several reasons why becoming a certified QuickBooks bookkeeper is a smart move for your career: 

• Increased Trust: A certification proves that you know how to use QuickBooks effectively and accurately. It helps you build trust with potential clients or employers, showing that you’re proficient in managing finances. 
• Career Opportunities: Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies, rely on QuickBooks to manage their finances. Becoming certified opens doors to new career opportunities in bookkeeping, accounting, and other financial roles. 
• Confidence: As a certified QuickBooks bookkeeper, you’ll feel more confident handling important financial tasks, from payroll and invoicing to generating reports and balancing accounts. 
• Flexible Jobs: Whether you’re freelancing, working for a company, or running your own business, QuickBooks skills are highly sought after. You’ll have the flexibility to work from home or choose your own hours. 

QuickBooks certification can boost your resume, make you more marketable, and enhance your skills, whether you’re already in the accounting field or looking to break into it. 

Types of QuickBooks Certifications 

When it comes to QuickBooks certifications, there are a few different options. Each certification focuses on a specific version of QuickBooks or specific skills. Let’s look at the main types of QuickBooks certifications: 

1. QuickBooks Online Certification 

The QuickBooks Online Certification is one of the most popular and useful certifications. QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based version of the software, which many small businesses and freelancers use. This certification is ideal for those who want to learn cloud-based QuickBooks and use it to manage business finances. 

2. QuickBooks Desktop Certification 

If you work with clients or businesses who use QuickBooks Desktop, this certification is for you. The QuickBooks Desktop version is the older, non-cloud-based version, and many businesses still use it for their bookkeeping needs. This certification will teach you how to manage finances using QuickBooks Desktop. 

3. Bookkeeping Professional Certification 

This certification is ideal if you want to go beyond just QuickBooks and learn more about general bookkeeping practices. The Bookkeeping Professional Certification teaches you the basics of accounting and bookkeeping while also covering QuickBooks software. This certification is perfect for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of finance and bookkeeping. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming Certified 

Becoming QuickBooks certified online is easier than you think. The process requires no special background—just time, focus, and access to the internet. Follow these simple steps to get started: 

1. Step 1: Get Comfortable Using QuickBooks 

Before taking the exam, it’s important to get some hands-on experience using QuickBooks. Intuit, the parent company of QuickBooks, recommends having at least two years of experience using QuickBooks for tasks like invoicing, payroll, and budgeting. However, if you’re new to QuickBooks, you can still take the certification exam as soon as you feel comfortable. 

While being certified is not mandatory to use QuickBooks, it definitely helps you stand out and shows potential employers or clients that you have the necessary skills to manage finances effectively. 

2. Step 2: Choose the Right Certification 

Next, decide which certification best fits your needs: 

• QuickBooks Online Certification is ideal if you plan to use the cloud-based version of QuickBooks. 
• QuickBooks Desktop Certification is for those who work with the desktop version. 
• Bookkeeping Professional Certification is perfect for those who want to learn general bookkeeping skills in addition to using QuickBooks. 

Think about your current level of knowledge, your career goals, and the version of QuickBooks you’re most likely to use when making your decision. 

3. Step 3: Use Free Training Materials 

After signing up for the certification exam, you’ll have access to free training materials. These materials include video lessons, webinars, and self-guided modules that teach you how to use QuickBooks. You can study at your own pace, allowing you to learn when it fits your schedule. 

If you prefer other learning platforms, websites like Udemy or Coursera also offer affordable QuickBooks courses. However, the official QuickBooks training from Intuit is free and very thorough. 

4. Step 4: Prepare for and Take the Exam 

When you feel ready, it’s time to take the QuickBooks certification exam. The exam assesses both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills with QuickBooks. Here’s what to expect: 

• Open-book exam: You can use your notes during the exam. 
• Pass score: You usually need a score of around 80% to pass. 
• Retakes: You can take the exam three times in total, with a 10-day wait between attempts. 

Study Tips:

• Go through all the training modules. 
• Complete practice exams and time them to check your readiness. 
• Take notes, especially on key topics like invoicing, reconciliation, and report generation. 
• Don’t rush—most people take a few days or even weeks to prepare fully. 

With the right preparation, you can become QuickBooks certified in a few weeks and have a valuable skill that is highly sought after in the job market. 

Tips for Passing the QuickBooks Certification Exam 

Passing the QuickBooks certification exam requires preparation, but it’s not as difficult as it might seem. Here are some tips to help you succeed: 

• Practice: Take as many practice exams as possible. This will help you become familiar with the questions and the time limits. 
• Study the key features: Focus on learning important tasks such as generating invoices, reconciling accounts, and creating reports. 
• Don’t rush: Make sure you understand the material before attempting the exam. You have multiple attempts, so take your time. 

Other Learning Platforms for QuickBooks 

In addition to the official Intuit QuickBooks training, there are several other platforms where you can learn QuickBooks and bookkeeping: 

• Udemy: Offers a wide range of QuickBooks courses for beginners and advanced users. 
• Coursera: Provides professional QuickBooks courses with instructor support. 
• LinkedIn Learning: Offers QuickBooks tutorials with practical examples. 
• Certiport: A platform that offers QuickBooks training and certification exams. 

When selecting a course, make sure it matches the certification exam you plan to take. 

Start Your QuickBooks Journey Today 

Becoming a QuickBooks certified bookkeeper is a great way to boost your career. It’s an excellent skill that is in demand across many industries. With free online training, affordable courses, and flexible certification options, you can become a certified QuickBooks bookkeeper in just a few weeks. 

Don’t wait! Start your QuickBooks journey today and open the door to new career opportunities. Whether you’re working for a company, freelancing, or running your own business, QuickBooks certification can make all the difference. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Where will I take the certification exam? 
   You’ll take the exam online from your computer. Use browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. 
2. Do I need QuickBooks on my computer? 
   No, you don’t need QuickBooks installed on your computer. You can access training materials from any device with internet access. 
3. How long does the certification exam take? 
   The exam is timed, and you’ll have 50 minutes to finish it. 
4. Is QuickBooks hard to learn? 
   It can be challenging at first, but the training will guide you step by step. 
5. How long does it take to learn QuickBooks? 
   You can feel confident in just 13 hours of training with QuickBooks Foundations class. 
6. How long does certification last? 
   Your certification is valid for life once you pass the exam. There’s no need to re-certify. 
7. Can I learn QuickBooks on my own? 
   It’s possible, but getting help from QuickBooks training will help you feel more confident and learn faster.