QuickBooks certification: which one to get
The two options
| QuickBooks Certified User | Intuit's certification for accounting professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| From | Certiport, for Intuit | Intuit, through its program for accounting professionals (long called ProAdvisor) |
| Who it's for | People who use QuickBooks Online, including students and job seekers | Bookkeepers and accountants who work with clients |
This guide doesn't list fees, exam formats or renewal rules, because Certiport and Intuit change them. Use the official pages below for the current details.
Which should you get?
- Looking for an in-house bookkeeping job: QuickBooks Certified User is built for people who use the software in their job.
- Planning to work with clients or freelance: look at Intuit's program for accounting professionals and its certifications.
- New to bookkeeping: learn the concepts first (debits and credits, the accounting cycle), then practice the software, then take an exam.
How to prepare
- Learn the basics: the accounting equation, debit and credit, and the main reports.
- Practice the everyday workflows until you don't need hints: invoices, payments, bills, the bank feed and reconciliation.
- Learn where settings and lists live: the chart of accounts, products and services, customers and vendors.
- Read the official exam page for what it covers, and take practice questions under time pressure.
Common questions
What QuickBooks questions come up in a bookkeeping interview?
Often: when to use a sales receipt instead of an invoice, how to record a payment on an invoice, what Undeposited Funds is, how to reconcile, and how to handle the bank feed. Model answers are in the QuickBooks Online section above.
How much does QuickBooks certification cost?
It depends on the certification and changes over time. Check Certiport's page for the QuickBooks Certified User exam, and Intuit's page for its accountant program.
Do I need a certification to get a bookkeeping job?
Not always: some job postings ask for one and many don't. Either way, what you can show in an interview or skills test is that you do the tasks accurately.
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.