is learning QuickBooks ENOUGH to be a bookkeeper?

If you learn QuickBooks Online and become a ProAdvisor, are you ready to start a bookkeeping business? This topic is hotly debated in bookkeeper circles. So can you start bookkeeping as a ProAdvisor? Kind of... it will depend on your personality and bookkeeping goals. Some people are fine with learning 'on the fly' and starting small, then building on those skills. Other people want to have a more comprehensive knowledge before they start bookkeeping. I explore and explain both options in this video.

Videos mentioned:

☑️My favorite bookkeeper training (affiliate links)

☑️Classes taught by me

☑️Free stuff

☑️Margie’s Classes (affiliate links)
**Use code "FinePoints15" for 15% off on any class**

☑️Other awesome classes (affiliate links)

▶ Videos to get started bookkeeping:

▶ More videos you'll like:

#bookkeeper #finepoints #bookkeeping

[FinePointsBookkeeping]

What are your thoughts on this hotly debated topic? :)

[foreverinlovewithrobin]

My mom learned bookkeeping, payroll, accounts receivable/payable and even ran a department without having a degree. Back in the 70s, women typically started out a secretaries and worked their way into management. I have been thinking about this for quite a while and just starting out.

[lekeshahill]

I’ve had my bookkeeping business for 10 months and I’ve been an accountant for over 25 years.

[pennytracker]

I got started by purchasing a Udemy course on accounting and then obtaining my ProAdvisor and Advanced ProAdvisor Certifications. Then I took a similar path to yours...obtain a client or two...learn from them...add another client, etc. I've never taken a formal accounting course, not even in high school. After having my bookkeeping business for almost 2 years, I did the Coursera course and took the exam for Intuit's Certified Bookkeeping Professional certificate. While a lot of the course content was stuff I already knew, I did pick up a few solid "nuggets" of information that have helped my bookkeeping practices and my confidence level. Now I at least hold some type of format bookkeeping certification in addition to the ProAdvisor certs. If you don't have an accounting background, I would recommend Intuit's Certified Bookkeeping Professional.

[BecomingBossC]

I am a Certified Public Accountant; so I feel comfortable starting a bookkeeping business or starting a part-time bookkeeping job. I have seen numerous bookkeeping opportunities that do NOT even require a high school diploma. They just require 1 - 2 years of experience.

[jingles]

Decided to try this bookkeeping route when I got tired of the 9-5 style, enjoy messing with numbers and analytical kind of things, and hope to slowly build it up in the coming years. My thought is to do strictly bookkeeping itself though and nothing beyond that.

[juangraciaofficial]

I swear, I have an accounting degree, 3 years of experience in public accounting (KPMG & BakerTilly) and 2 years of experience in internal audit and most of what I know, I learned it from books I bought on Barnes and Noble and practicing excel with Youtube tutorials.

Once you understand and practice with debits and credits, balance sheet and income statement, you're free to go. Later on learn taxes and the cash flow statement. And to this date, I haven't used the statement of capital lol

[nleposk]

I have been doing bookkeeping for about 12 years, but until about a year ago I just did it as an employee for a snow removal company. Now I am trying to have my own business. I started helping another bookkeeper and now I am working with a couple clients including a non-profit. I am learning a lot. I would like to see some videos on more challenging topics like journal entries and loans

[jenniferday]

I have a few years of basic bookkeeping for an employer. I am now branching out to take on clients. I am halfway through QBO ProAdvisor training, and am also a college student working on an accounting degree. Your videos have been such a big help to me the past few weeks as I research and plan.

[kathyswimsenpointe]

Looking at bookkeeping as small, remote, part-time job, probably with an employer. Been doing all financials for my aging mom. Also did my own books (albeit in a rudimentary way) for 15 years of my private counseling practice. And exposure to SAP while working at large corporation as finance admin for our dept. Decided to do Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Cert (in process) and self-learn QB (also in progress), using my mom’s finances. Last step will be getting ProAdvisor Cert (per advice of my CPA). Crossing fingers it’s enough 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[lg]

Morgan, thanks so much for another encouraging video! I'm new to the bookkeeping world, with no prior experience. I am educated at this point, having done BL and QBO certification. I would say it has been challenging trying to start the business with no real world experience. However, like you said, I'm going to go slow, after trying to learn everything at once, almost burning out! I'm thinking I'll work for someone and learn the ropes first.

[maryroberts]

Definitely interested in beginning my own bookkeeping business.

[Anna-iiee]

I'm, currently, making my way through a bookkeeping program with Penn Foster.

[beccaboo]

The path i chose was to start with Google and youtube to get a basic understanding of job skills i need then next im on my quick books certification and after that i plain on getting excel certified and then build my business around that. I dont plain on sticking with qb as of now but i dont know much about software for business so this is a great free opertunity and i feel software comes and goes but excel has stood the test of time so i do want to be more then a beginner in that as well. Also my husband is in the process of taking over for the old owner so they also have systems in place so i will be learning along with him more about books.

[deltanyc]

I'm thinking of starting my own bookkeeping business. Been in corporate accounting for 35 years.

[biboylibao]

good advice if you don't have the relevant experience to show in your portfolio to offer to prospective clients

[JonesDi]

I have a master’s degree in accounting and finance, but I ended up staying a job way longer than I should have, so I really did not put that learning into practice (outside of my duties as an account manager: billing, receivables, account reconciliation and etc), however, I do have the hands on experience completing books, but only though my education. Also, I am QuickBooks certified (QBO). I have been fortunate enough to enroll in programs to start a bookkeeping business, but, the problem is fear. Fear that I still don’t have enough ‘work experience’.

How does one get over that fear?

[TxPeaches]

My concern would be how to check themselves. When reviewing the books do errors jump out? Entering bills in expenses vs items. I have found with QBs it's easy to make errors without knowing it. Example: company has been using QBs and upon an audit discovered expenses categorized as income. Duplicate deposits because of entering the deposit in the bank and undeposited funds. Errors can be expensive for a client. I started as a bookkeeper and now have my accounting degree. But as a bookkeeper I was under the supervision of an accountant. Learning how to review the Financial Statements to identify my mistakes, correct or adjust the accounts.

[braekaufman]

I recently found your videos and have been bingeing them! They have been so helpful, thank you. I am taking the QBO certification.
The BL is quite an investment so I’m hoping to get educated in stages like you. You mentioned building on your education later- what did you do?
I want to take a certificate course at the community college, but I would love more help with the business/marketing side of getting started.
Also, I would love to hear more about finding a niche. Thanks!

[citizena]

I must say that this is a great vid. Confidence t start is relative to everyone. I think doing a volunteer bookkeeping job to gain experience and confidence can make a difference. I just don't know of any that are accessible online. Maybe you can expound on this for your next topic. Thanks much.