Certified Public Bookkeeper CPB: Licensing, Certification & Training Programs 2026

But if flexibility and work-life balance are a priority, part-time or freelance work could be the way https://www.bookstime.com/ to go. Bookkeeper salaries can shift quite a bit from state to state and even more from one city to the next. Big cities with higher costs of living tend to pay more, while smaller towns or rural areas might land on the lower end of the scale. In this post, we’ll walk through what bookkeepers earn across the U.S., which cities and states pay the most (and the least), and what factors influence your income.

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• From internships and freelance projects to virtual opportunities, there are many ways to get started and grow.
• Start studying early for your bookkeeper certification exam and focus specifically on the material you know will be tested.
• Formal certifications include those offered by the NACPB and the AIPB.
• On the flip side, industries like hospitality or retail may offer lower salaries due to simpler accounting needs.
• You qualify to register for the CPB exam after completing NACPB’s required prep courses.

Aspiring CPBs must first complete NACPB’s proprietary training program, which includes coursework and applied components. Meanwhile, AIPB’s CB credentialing program emphasizes professional experience. Bookkeepers often pursue certified professional bookkeeper (CPB) or certified bookkeeper (CB) credentials. Consortia bookkeeping experience enables educated and certified bookkeeping professionals to perform best practice bookkeeping process, procedures, and what is a bookkeeper steps.

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You should place your deposit at least a month or two in https://www.kinez.id/index.php/2021/04/07/internal-controls-in-accounting-the-key-to/ advance to start the program as soon as you qualify. To expedite your experience, you can make a deposit for the first month before you finish the requirements. You must complete and pass the ‍Bookkeeping with QuickBooks Online training.

Company Size and Industry

In September 2022, Payscale placed the national U.S. average rate for bookkeepers at $18.46 per hour. Bookkeepers should research local average rates to ensure they price their services competitively. In September 2022, Payscale reported an average annual base salary of about $50,430 for full-charge bookkeepers. Industry observers agree that software improvements have made bookkeeping more efficient. In 2019, Strategic Finance magazine published a report detailing a “looming crisis” in the accounting industry.

What do full-charge bookkeepers make?

This approach is less common, but it can work in specific industries or when managing a high volume of financial activity. Bookkeeping and accounting might sound like the same job, but they actually play different roles in a business. If you’re trying to decide between the two as a career or figuring out which one your business needs, it’s helpful to understand how they compare. We will never contact your current or former employers, or send your resume to a company, without your consent. However, AIPB recommends that candidates develop their knowledge of various bookkeeping proficiencies. According to AIPB, more than 1,000 postsecondary institutions offer courses that prepare students for the CB exam.

What’s the difference between a bookkeeping certification and a certificate?

The program involves either self-teaching workbooks or an instructor-led online program to prepare you for the CB exam. Business owners support their bookkeepers by following clear processes to keep records accurate. Separating personal and business finances, for example, is key.

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It’s worth mentioning that there are remote and virtual bookkeeping opportunities. This means you could live in a smaller city but work for clients in major metros, potentially earning more while spending less. In this section, we’ll break down the average bookkeeper salary and hourly wage across the U.S., spotlighting the highest- and lowest-paying states and cities. The CPB and CB bookkeeping certifications are nationally recognized, and either one makes a strong credential that can enhance your employability. You only need one year of work experience to become a CPB, while CB certification requires two years or 3,000 hours. To qualify for the CPB certification exam, you must complete NACPB courses in accounting, payroll, and Intuit QuickBooks fundamentals.

Career growth and outlook

• Advancements in bookkeeping software, cloud-based platforms, and process automation are transforming the day-to-day responsibilities of financial record-keepers.
• Credentials like the CB and CPB certifications may also help bookkeepers develop the superior skills that boost their overall compensation rates.
• A controller role may pay upwards of $150,000, while CFO salaries can exceed $300,000.
• With experience comes deeper expertise in areas like payroll, reporting, auditing, and new platforms such as QuickBooks Online and Xero.
• They record transactions, balance the books, handle invoicing, and keep financial records organized and accurate.
• Typically, you must complete annual continuing professional education (CPE) credits or renew your certification periodically.

If you pass one test but not the other, you receive credit for the test you passed. You can retake the other test after 30 days for a $60 fee, and you will take a different test from the first time. Each CPB exam includes 50 questions, which examinees must finish in two hours or less. As of January 2026, NACPB has set fees at $80 for members and $100 for non-members. If you choose to acquire experience after the CB exam, you will have three years from the date you earned your passing score to meet the requirement. CPB and CB certifications overlap in some ways but differ in others, requiring you to consider the merits of each option.