Bookkeeper
Comprehensive Sites
Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Tax LinksFrom the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, this site offers a compilation of resources that might be very useful, including calculators and conversion tables, forms, dictionaries, practice resources, and templates for financial management.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksEverything from the nature of the work to projected employment and earnings can be found at this page, which was created to provide comprehensive career information, from the U.S. Department of Labor. For the latest wage data, you can access the occupational employment statistics link, which provides national estimates for hourly and annual wage, as well as information on industries with the highest level of employment and income as a bookkeeper.
CareerOneStop: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksView the occupational results for this profession and find a video describing the career, as well as national salary data, an occupational profile, and the recommended education and training needed to be successful in the profession.
Princeton Review: BookkeeperIf you are interested in learning about a day in the life of a bookkeeper, this site will give you a good overview of the profession and opportunities available. You can also access related pages on what you can expect in terms of income, majors that you might consider if you go to college, or find the career search tool for look for jobs that are available in your area.
Occupational Titles
Bookkeeper
Accounting Clerk
Auditing Clerk
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: Bookkeeper, College MajorsIf you are interested in becoming a bookkeeper, you may want to take a look at this list of possible college majors, including accounting, economics, and finance. Click on whatever choices interest you to be taken to a comprehensive listing of colleges across the nation offering these major. Then click on the college contact or web site you would like to access to find out more about a particular academic program.
Salary Levels
CareerOneStop: Bookkeeping, SalarySelect any state from the menu at this page to view salary data, with both state and national figures offered.
PayScale.com: BookkeeperThe median hourly rate for a bookkeeper according to years of experience is displayed at this chart of PayScale, which also offers you the opportunity to see what a bookkeeper may be worth in different parts of the country or according to what kind of organization you might be working in. What makes this site especially interesting is that salary charts can be viewed according to gender, industry, and subject studied in school.
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Professional BookkeepersHelping bookkeepers get professionally recognized, this organization offers a certification program, which you can learn about at the site. Also available are continuing education programs, a chat room, and tips for best bookkeeping practices. Several related links are available, such as calculators and conversion tables, to make the job a little easier.
National Association of Certified Public BookkeepersThis public bookkeepers’ association provides information on payroll and accounting forms, as well as tips for the bookkeeper just starting out and certification programs that are available, such as a payroll specialist, QuickBooks advisor, or certified public bookkeeper. A link to discussion forums might help you connect with others with similar interests.
Licensing & Certification
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers: Certified BookkeeperYou can learn more about the certified bookkeeper designation at this page of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. Parts of the examination are reviewed, as well as the format of the exam and information on how an employer will view this credential once you’ve earned it.
National Association of Certified Public BookkeepersThe National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers offers information on several certification programs at this page, including certified public bookkeeper, QuickBooks advisor, and certified payroll specialist. Find information on self-study guides, CDs and DVDs, and the benefits of these certification options.
Job Opportunity Sources
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers: JobsYou can find bookkeeping jobs at this career site, where employers place postings or search for resumes of potential candidates. Hundreds of job listings are available that are organized and can be sorted by category, company, job title, location, and data posted.
Indeed.com: BookkeeperHundreds of bookkeeping jobs are posted at this site, which are drawn from many different nationwide job databases and private company listings.
Publications
Journal of AccountancyYou can view recent publications directly from this site or browse subjects by author dating back to the year 2000. Personal and financial planning, practice management, and tax issues are all discussed and appropriate for experts in the field, as well as those new to bookkeeping and accounting.
Online Forums & Blogs
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers: Chat RoomThis virtual community offers two e-mail discussion lists—one for people who have passed the certification exam and one for bookkeepers or those interested in the profession.
Indeed.com: Bookkeeper ForumA few topics on starting out as a bookkeeper can be viewed at this site, which hosts job-related discussions that you can start or participate in.
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeeper ForumsThe forums available from this site might help you increase your bookkeeping skills and knowledge and include discussions of payroll, QuickBooks, jobs, and business management. More than 70 forums in all can be accessed after you follow the registration links.
Career Videos
CollegeGrad.com: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing ClerksLearn about providing information on an organization’s financial position or verifying financial information as an auditor. Places that you might work, specialization in an area, college coursework that might be desirable, and other ways to learn more about this occupation are discussed in this career overview video.