Certified Public Bookkeeper CPB: Licensing, Certification & Training Programs 2025
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 May 2025, NACPB has set fees at $80 for members and $100 for non-members. We’ve compiled some FAQs below about the certification pathway to CPB designation, open only to CPB Canada members, that we hope you’ll find useful.
Bachelor’s programs may offer internships and practicums that allow you to gain experience while completing your degree. The demonstrated proficiency these credentials carry increases the likelihood that an employer or client hires you over a non-certified candidate. Increases Salary Potential Greater skills and experience generally correlate with higher earning potential. Nearly 60% of surveyed employed CBs received a raise after becoming certified. If you have more work experience as a bookkeeper or accountant than you have education, you should apply for your license through the work experience route. This implies you must have worked as a bookkeeper or accountant for at least two years .
- The Certified Accounting Paraprofessional (CAP) license assures employers and clients of your accounting knowledge, skill, experience, and ethics.
- Depending on the certification, the amount required ranges from six months to two years.
- You qualify to register for the CPB exam after completing NACPB’s required prep courses.
- For example, a certified bookkeeper may have a competitive edge over non-certified applicants when applying for positions such as senior accountant or financial analyst.
- After the requirements have been met and the application has been submitted, the exam is the next stage of obtaining the CPB license.
Auditors review organizations’ financial data for accuracy, compliance, and fraud purposes. Since auditors often look at the records tracked and prepared by bookkeepers, the bookkeeping profession can help prepare aspiring auditors to advance in their field. The certification exams include Bookkeeping Certification, Payroll Certification, QuickBooks Online Certification, Accounting Certification, and Accounting Analysis Certification exams. The certification exams include Bookkeeping Certification, Payroll Certification, QuickBooks Online Certification, and Accounting Certification exams. The payroll certification course bundle includes Payroll Fundamentals course and Payroll Certification exam and certificate. Certification instills confidence in clients by assuring them of the bookkeeper’s competency and ethical conduct.
Before pursuing the CPB designation, you should ideally have a solid grounding in accounting or business, often obtained through a mix of experience and education. You can also enjoy discounts on liability insurance and bookkeeping, accounting and tax software, reducing your operational costs. This distinction allows bookkeepers to demonstrate their expertise and adherence to ethical standards, enabling businesses to have faith in their financial stewardship. Certification enhances your credibility with clients, employers and tax accountants, establishing you as a trustworthy professional.
Application Instructions and Information
- If you’ve not yet met the requirements for the work experience, you can still submit the form and do that later on.
- Obtain 24 hours of CPE each year beginning the year after you obtain your license.
- The certification certificates include Bookkeeping Certification, Payroll Certification, QuickBooks Online Certification, Accounting Principles, and Accounting Analysis Certification certificates.
While comparing the role of CPA vs bookkeeper, always remember that the latter is only responsible for maintaining financial books and records, not analyzing them. Companies hire bookkeepers on a contract or full-time based on their needs and budget. I highly advise you to take the CPA test if you have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Many certification programs require continuing education or periodic renewal to maintain certification status.
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Many free study tools are available to NACPB members if you decide to join their association. NACPB also offers an examination preparation course which costs $399 for NACPB members and $499 for non-members, amounting to a total cost of $1,596 for NACPB members and $1,996 for non-members. You only have one year from the date of purchase to take and pass each part of the exam. The third and fourth parts of the curriculum are payroll fundamentals and Quickbooks fundamentals respectively, and they cost the same as the first and second.
The Certified Accounting Paraprofessional (CAP) license assures employers and clients of your accounting knowledge, skill, experience, and ethics. The Certified Tax Professional (CTP) license enables tax professionals to place “CTP” behind their names and communicate their tax preparation knowledge, experience, and ethics to employers and clients. Apply for your bookkeeper certification Depending on the institution you obtain certification from, you may need to pay an application fee when you apply for your CPB credential. Additionally, bookkeepers must complete 24 hours of continuing education each year to keep their licenses current. A bookkeeping certification not only adds value to your skill set but also helps you stay on top of the latest trends and technological advances in the industry. The BLS reports that these professionals earn a median annual salary of $49,210 as of May 2024.
Is Bookkeeping Certification Worth It? Benefits and Advantages
Pathway levels requiring evidence of knowledge, work experience and entry tests/exams (Apprentice, Technician, CPB) reward members with a CPB Canada digital achievement badge! Each badge is backed by metadata detailing the requirements met for the level. This data is verified electronically and provides members and the public certified bookkeeper certifications and licenses cpb and cb with proof that you have the knowledge, expectations and experience that meet our national standard.
Communicate Bookkeeping Knowledge
The two professions work with many of the same data, accounts, and software, which makes bookkeeping an effective stepping stone into accounting. The Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license assures employers and clients of your bookkeeping knowledge, skill, experience, and ethics. It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements necessary to become a Certified Bookkeeper.
Bookkeeping Certifications (CPB and CB)
However, unlike the first and second parts of the AIPB certification which you must take at a Prometric center, all four parts of the CPB certification exam are CBT and can be taken in your house. As earlier discussed, there are five steps that you need to take to become a certified bookkeeper. You can be a bookkeeper as soon as you graduate from high school; however, doing so limits your chances of getting better jobs. On the other hand, getting a certificate opens the door to more opportunities.
As a member you will still have access to great learning opportunities and tools. CPB designation in Canada requires adherence to a professional code of conduct. This emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior, confidentiality, and a commitment to the highest standards of professional integrity. Once certified, CPBs are expected to undertake ongoing professional development, ensuring they’re always abreast of the latest trends, tools, and regulations in the world of finance and bookkeeping. This exam evaluates your proficiency across a wide range of bookkeeping and financial management topics, ensuring the bookkeeper is well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern business finances.
Certified Accounting Analyst License Bundle – Members Save 28% and Nonmembers Save 10%
Throughout this simple bookkeeping course, you’ll gain a behind-the-scenes insight into the daily tasks of bookkeepers, and what it takes to support the financial growth of a business. The course starts with an introduction to the basics of business transactions and documentation for various forms of cash flow. There’s also an overview of the duality of transactions and the doubly-entry system.
The world is becoming a global village, and technology is a significant force that drives its evolution. It has also helped in making tasks easier in all fields including bookkeeping. A bookkeeper must be able to keep up with technology and with the competition.