How did you become a new bookkeeper?

I've been working in accounting for almost 30 years.  I'm a CB and CFE.  I beg any of you starting out to get a degree in accounting.  I'm the one who gets hired to fix the job of someone who touted themselves as a bookkeeper, but really didn't understand the what and why of their job.   I have one right now that will cost the client a few thousand dollars to fix because of the awful work the "bookkeeper" did.  I have another where the fed is having an absolute field day racking up the penalties and interest on due to bad bookkeeping.

There are literal tax and lending consequences that cost clients so much money when a bookkeeper doesn't understand EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of what they're doing.  Bookkeepers should have, at the minimum, a basic understanding of how the financial statements they produce ends up on the tax return for every type of entity.  

Many of us are willing to help out an and answer questions, but someone putting themselves out there as a bookkeeper should already have a solid understanding of the financials before setting up shop.

I purchased 60 Day Bookkeeper program with Robin Buckallew.  It was a great program and I am constantly referring back to her materials.  There is a ton of information but all of it is relevant.  if you want to get a taste of what she offers, try her free mini course.  I did and that is what compelled me to pull the trigger and buy the full course.  You won't be sorry.

After being laid off from a long time banking career at the start of COVID, I pivoted and started my own bookkeeping business!  I mainly use QuickBooks for my clients and have become QuickBooks Certified.  I learned bookkeeping through Bookkeeper Training School.  They are a wonderful group of people where the owner leads the group however everyone helps to answer questions posted online.  I highly recommend them!  You can sign up for this wonderful/reasonable course at:  https://www.smallbizlife.com/a...  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I've seen all those "Learn Bookkeeping in 24hrs" sites.   BEWARE... nothing is that easy and you can't create experience overnight.  I've used numerous different online accounting softwares and NONE of them are as easy as they say.   If you don't understand Debits and Credits, the difference between an Expense and an Asset or the difference between a Loan payment and an expense, you could cost your Potential client THOUSANDS to have an expert fix the mess caused by the lack of knowledge and experience.   

If you want to become a bookkeeper, Go to an ACCREDITED COLLEGE (2 yr or 4 yr) and get a Bookkeeping or Accounting Degree.   There is a lot more to bookkeeping than those Quickie sites make it out to be.  

Then, work for someone and get experience in the field before stepping out on your own.  I'm not kidding about costing clients thousands either, I've seen it and I've had to fix it.  If your independent you could end up having to pay that expense because you essentially caused the problem.  I'm not trying to scare people away of being Independent, just trying to help you understand the potential for liability.   We all think we are good at something until we find out we're not.

I used Bookkeeper Business Launch.  Since I have lifetime access to the course I do feel confident in starting a bookkeeping business. Plus they have a great support system with their BBL Facebook group. The training for the course was done in QuickBooks Online and I will take the QBO exam to become a ProAdvisor. I’ve also taken Xero’s certification exam to become a certified advisor for that software. I also have gotten great information from the Accounting Coach website.

My advice is to have a complete understanding of bookkeeping and accounting.  Get some experience under your belt by working for someone.  It doesn't happen overnight no matter what the online gurus tell you.  There are free resources to learn accounting such as accountingcoach.com.  Perhaps work for another bookkeeper to just learn the business.

Our company has a need for young, teachable bookkeepers.

I have a background in accounting and I took a deeper dive into bookkeeping via Bookkeeper Launch, which is a very rigorous program.
If you’re comfortable with different softwares, programs like Quickbooks aren’t very difficult to learn. However, the accounting knowledge that ensures the figures are in line with reporting requirements is definitely knowledge that needs to be obtained also. That knowledge also can help a business owner analyze the financial statements that those programs can produce. 
This is why it’s still advantageous for business owners to outsource their bookkeeping to a professional. It can save them valuable time and money with less opportunities for errors. 

I learned bookkeeping before computers right after my oldest son was born as the receptionist typing audit reports at a CPA firm. I eventually was promoted to a bookkeeper and started college classes with an emphasis in accounting. However, nothing prepared me like working for the businesses that I did actual bookkeeping for: the CPA firm, a real estate investment firm, a funeral home, and a restaurant franchise. Each company taught me something different about the differences in businesses and their respective needs. I believe that is why we have so much success in helping business owners who are looking for solutions and strategies that will last for years. 

As a bookkeeper with my own business, there is no way a course will teach you all you need to know about being a bookkeeper. You need accounting knowledge and experience.  Once you know that...then you can take these (often expensive) courses about RUNNING and GROWING a bookkeeping business.  I'd even suggest working under someone before attempting to do that.