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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for certified bookkeeping.

Why Become a Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB)?

Becoming a Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) is an excellent way for experienced bookkeepers to distinguish themselves in the competitive bookkeeping and accounting fields. The CPB certification allows professionals to showcase their expertise and commitment to maintaining high standards in financial management. To earn this prestigious title, candidates must successfully complete the Uniform Certified Public Bookkeeper (UCPB) exam, which tests knowledge in core bookkeeping principles and practices.

The CPB designation not only reflects a strong academic background and practical bookkeeping experience but also demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional education (CPE) and upholding ethical standards in the workplace. By obtaining the CPB license, bookkeepers can prove that they have gone above and beyond the typical requirements and are prepared to handle complex accounting tasks with proficiency and integrity.

For those who do not have a bachelor's degree in accounting, the CPB certification is still attainable. Experienced bookkeepers, including those who have worked part-time, can achieve the CPB designation and validate their expertise in accounting and bookkeeping services. This certification provides recognition of their practical skills and hands-on experience, making them more competitive in the job market.

Earning the Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) title is an excellent career move for anyone in the bookkeeping profession looking to advance their knowledge, credibility, and opportunities for career growth.

While a vital credential for those seeking a job with a bookkeeping or accounting firm, the CPB license is even more indispensable for bookkeepers who work with a small business on an independent basis rather than through a firm. That is, the CPB license itself verifies one's ability to settle the books for an individual or a small business. Furthermore, almost half of all independent bookkeepers who attain the certified public bookkeeper (CPB) license are known to boost their earnings, partially because it allows them to raise their rates.

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What is a Bookkeeper?

A bookkeeper is a professional who is skilled at recording financial transactions in a ledger, often using QuickBooks or other software for accounting. Bookkeepers need to record transactions in their proper place so that accountants can later assess the figures and write financial reports. For smaller businesses they may offer services for all areas, while in a larger company, bookkeepers may specialize in areas such as inventory, accounts receivable or payable, or payroll. The position is nationally recognized and you can find current job opportunities in the bookkeeping profession throughout the country, with or without bookkeeping or accounting experience or a bachelor's degree in accounting.

What Do These Workers Do?

On a daily basis, a certified public bookkeeper (CPB) or an individual in a similar role is responsible for accurately recording financial transactions in accounting software. Some bookkeepers may specialize in specific areas, like payroll, while others take on broader responsibilities, especially in smaller businesses. They need to be proficient with data entry, often using a 10-key pad to input a high volume of transactions. After recording, bookkeepers ensure the data is prepared for the trial balance stage, where debits and credits must balance. A strong understanding of accounting principles is essential to performing these tasks correctly.

Bookkeepers are responsible for recording transactions and performing basic financial calculations with high accuracy. Their data entry must be nearly flawless. Once completed, their work is often reviewed by higher-level accountants for further analysis. Some bookkeepers may also generate financial reports, such as revenue comparisons or payment tracking, for management. Additionally, they may assist in stages of a corporate audit, but always under the supervision of licensed accountants.

Bookkeepers typically work in an office environment and, these days, all perform their primary duties using a computer. While many bookkeepers work in large organizations and may specialize in a specific department, such as inventory, it is possible to work independently for one or multiple clients on a contract basis.

Education Requirements to Become a Certified Public Bookkeeper

  • Degree Necessary

    To obtain a Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license, applicants must meet the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) requirements, including passing the Uniform Certified Public Bookkeeper Exam. Those with an associate or bachelor's degree in accounting typically meet the education requirements but must submit transcripts for review. If further preparation is needed, or if no degree was earned but there is relevant experience, NACPB offers specific courses to help candidates prepare for the exam. Additionally, candidates must have one year of experience before sitting for the four-part exam.

    It's not necessary to have a degree to become employed as a bookkeeper. However, the job market continues to require more and more training. Thus, it is recommended that bookkeepers achieve at least an associate-level degree in finance, accounting, or business. Those who complete a bachelor's degree are likely to have even better job prospects with a potential employer when they meet their education requirements and become a certified public bookkeeper (CPB).

  • Subject Focus
    • Accounting Fundamentals:
      The Uniform Certified Public Bookkeepers Exam covers accounting fundamentals such as payroll considerations, taxes, deposits, and payments. The many other topics covered by the exam include general ledger and journal entries, cash, how to analyze business transactions, T accounts, and more.
    • Accounting Principles:
      As with most accounting certification exams, this one covers the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These ten concepts include the principles of consistency, regularity, sincerity, prudence, periodicity, materiality, and utmost good faith.
    • Payroll:
      This is a special expense that includes employee salaries, expenses, and benefits packages. The test will have multiple choice questions covering a wide range of issues including payroll taxes, employee expense reimbursements, bonus structures, and severance packages, among others which you must be able to answer if you want to be a professional bookkeeper.
    • QuickBooks:
      This is a software package created by Intuit that is a standard for bookkeepers. Quickbooks helps bookkeepers sort transactions and run reports that track debits and credits for a business. Test takers with strong work and academic experience will likely be familiar with this software.
  • Exams

    Once approved, candidates can schedule and pay for each part of the open-book, two-hour, four-part exam. Each part costs $100 for NACPB members or $150 for non-members, and can be taken at any time via Accounting Training Unlimited’s Online Test Center. After scheduling, candidates will receive an access code on the last business day before their test session.

    The Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) exam consists of four tests, each with 50 multiple choice questions or simulations, totaling 200 questions. Each test must be passed with at least 37 correct answers (75%). If you don't pass, you can retake the test by paying the fee: $50 for members and $75 for non-members. This highlights the importance of taking practice exams to ensure you're prepared to pass and earn your CPB license.


How is the Exam Scored?

The certification exam that will earn you your Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license is a series of four open-book tests with multiple choice questions that are conducted online from the test taker's home or setting of choice. The exam is scored by computer. To pass, each of the four parts must be passed with a score of 75%, which works out to 37 correct answers out of 50.

Candidates have up to a year to take and pass all four parts of the exam. Students can focus on each of the four parts independently. Some take one part every 3 months so that they can focus on that part independent of the rest, meaning it can take up to a year to become a certified public bookkeeper (CPB) after you start taking the certification exam.

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Study Resources and Preparation for the Bookkeeper Exam

Prior to taking the bookkeeping certification exam, candidates must qualify to sit for the test. The qualifications include academic training and experience. The National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers offers a program for bookkeepers who have not completed a college degree or whose transcript does not reflect the proper coursework. Those courses are aimed at helping students pass the exam. Additionally, the association offers a practice exam, an online dictionary, videos, and other resources on their website. Check their website to find ample exam resources (https://nacpb.org/free-bookkeeper-resources/). Resources are also available through the National Bookkeepers Association (https://bookkeeperassociation.org/training/bookkeeping.cfm).

Since the examination is open-book, test takers are free to bookmark or otherwise save any resources they feel may help during the test. Others may choose to make a comprehensive cheat sheet. One method for such a learning tool is to create a document full of hyperlinked terms that direct the test-taker to a website or a definition within the document.

Believe it or not, creating a cheat sheet is a terrific way to study and integrate the material. Candidates should avoid blindly copying and pasting material, however, and should seek to fully comprehend every term and concept that is on the sheet. The sheet will thus function as a handy resource and a memory trigger more than a crutch that inhibits learning.

Bookkeepers may also seek out peers who may wish to study in groups. This may work well for individuals who work in a larger bookkeeping department or firm. Bookkeepers who are completing a degree can keep in touch with their classmates and then, once everyone has met the exam's experience requirement, they can reunite and form a study group.

  • Difficulty

    The bookkeeping certification exam should be considered very difficult. While it’s certainly not as difficult as the certified public accountant (CPA) exam, candidates should be sure to prepare as much as possible. However, if every aspiring certified public bookkeeper (CPB) studies hard and utilizes the review material available on the NACPB website, as well as the materials available through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) (https://aipb.org/certification-program/), they should have no problem acing the certification exam.

    Since the examination is administered as an open book test, students can create a test-taking strategy that includes well-formatted materials. When candidates create a comprehensive study sheet to access during the test, they are sure to breeze through.

  • Cost

    The cost to become a Certified Bookkeeper can be as little as $400 for the examinations ($320 for NACPB members), plus a $100 application fee. That estimate assumes a CPB application for licensure that includes a satisfactory college transcript, such as a degree in accounting. However, bookkeepers who do not have the appropriate college coursework under their belt will need to take courses through the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. The course and examination bundle costs $1,276 for association members, but non-members will be charged $1,596.

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