Online QuickBooks Classes and Certification Programs

<p>Small businesses might opt for hiring a bookkeeper with specialized commercial QuickBooks software knowledge. Many of the accounting functions are already automated within QuickBooks, so learning the basics of the program can land someone with a penchant for bookkeeping that perfect financial position. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Online</b></td><td> Available from community colleges and universities or the Intuit Academy</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Programs</b></td><td> Standalone beginning and advanced classes or part of a degree or certificate program in accounting, QuickBooks Certified User or ProAdvisor credential</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b></td><td> Basic bookkeeping via QuickBooks, payroll, inventory management and reporting, invoicing, customer accounts, job estimates, payments, tracking receivables, internal controls, account reconciliation</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhereCanIEnrollInOnlineQuickBooksClasses">Where Can I Enroll in Online QuickBooks Classes?</h3> <p>You can take online QuickBooks classes through several community colleges, technical colleges and universities. Some schools offer stand-alone beginning and advanced QuickBooks classes; some are available through continuing education departments. You could also take the training as part of a degree or certificate program in fields such as accounting or office management. </p> <p>Some of the schools with online programs that include QuickBooks training or courses are listed below: </p> <ul><li>Foothill College </li><li>Coastline College </li><li>Brookdale Community College </li><li>North Seattle College </li><li>Bates Technical College </li><li>University of Georgia </li><li>Midlands Technical College </li><li>Milwaukee Area Technical College </li></ul><h3 id="section---AreOtherOnlineTrainingOpportunitiesAvailable">Are Other Online Training Opportunities Available?</h3> <p>Intuit, the manufacturer of QuickBooks, also offers online, instructor-led classes and self-paced training courses through its website. You could also enroll in scheduled webinars that offer live training by a certified instructor and usually last 1.5-2 hours (<i>www.intuit.com</i>). A 7-hour virtual conference is also available. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoTheClassesTeachMe">What Do the Classes Teach Me?</h3> <p>The courses you can take range from introductory classes in QuickBooks that teach basic bookkeeping to classes that cover the advanced features of the application, such as payroll, inventory management and reporting. You'll learn details about: </p> <ul><li>Accounts payable </li><li>Accounts receivable </li><li>Cash flow forecasts </li><li>Profit and loss statements </li><li>Inventory tracking </li></ul><p>At the Intuit Academy, you could take courses that cover financial statements, common bookkeeping and payroll mistakes, internal controls and account reconciliation. Completing the full course offers continuing education credits. Quick online tutorials teach you how to set up your customer accounts, create expense reports, receive payments and set up a 1099. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCertificationsAreAvailable">What Certifications Are Available?</h3> <p>Intuit offers a QuickBooks Certified Pro Adviser designation that could benefit you if you perform bookkeeping or office management duties for a business. Earning a ProAdvisor credential requires only that you pass the certification test, though membership grants you free access to training courses if you need them. </p> <p>Once you have a ProAdvisor certification for one year, you could also test for specialized credentials in point-of-sale or enterprise solutions. You could also seek QuickBooks advanced certification after three years of certification as a Pro Advisor. The specialized and advanced certifications must be updated every two years, but Intuit suggests you renew the ProAdvisor certification annually to ensure you're updated on the latest version of the software. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedForTheClasses">What Do I Need for the Classes?</h3> <p>As with all online classes, you'll need to make sure you have access to the Internet. Intuit recommends you use a broadband connection to participate in the webinars, which combine WebEx online sessions with conference calls via telephone. You'll also need to make sure you have the appropriate version of QuickBooks installed on your computer for the class you're taking. Some online classes offered through community colleges might require you to use a specific operating system or Web browser.</p>