How to learn bookkeeping on your own
A step-by-step plan
- Understand the job. A bookkeeper records transactions and keeps the books accurate. An accountant or CPA uses them for taxes and advice.
- Learn the concepts. The accounting equation, assets, liabilities and equity, then debit and credit.
- Learn the software. QuickBooks Online is the best-known accounting software for US small businesses. Learn to find your way around, then the forms you'll use every day.
- Practice money in and money out. Invoices, sales receipts, customer payments, bills and expenses.
- Practice banking. Categorize the bank feed and do a reconciliation.
- Learn the reports. The profit and loss and the balance sheet.
- Prove it. Take a certification exam and practice common interview questions.
How long it takes
| Stage | What you can do after it | Time on our course |
|---|---|---|
| Job-ready basics | Invoices, payments, bills, the bank feed, reading reports | 29 lessons, 7 skill checks and a final test: about 9.5 hours |
| Run the books | Reconciliations, sales tax, payroll entries, month-end close | Level 2 |
| Senior and freelance | Fix messy books, manage several clients | Level 3 |
The time it really takes depends on practice: doing each task several times, without hints, is what makes it stick.
Resources
- The free practice lessons and plain-English glossary on this site.
- Intuit's QuickBooks Online Test Drive, for exploring the software.
- IRS Publication 583, "Starting a Business and Keeping Records", for US record-keeping rules.
Common questions
Can I teach myself bookkeeping?
Yes. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says bookkeeping clerks typically need some college but no degree, and some employers hire people with a high school diploma. Learn the concepts, practice in accounting software, and consider a certification to show employers.
Is bookkeeping hard to learn?
The ideas are simple once debits and credits click. What takes time is accuracy and speed in the software, which comes from practice.
Do I need to know QuickBooks to get a bookkeeping job?
Many US small-business bookkeeping jobs ask for QuickBooks Online experience, so it's worth learning alongside the concepts.
Related guides
Sources
BookkeeperReady is an independent training product. It has not been approved, sponsored or endorsed by Intuit Inc. and is not affiliated with it. Intuit and QuickBooks are registered trademarks of Intuit Inc. Screens and prices in QuickBooks change; check Intuit's help pages for the latest details.