Bookkeeping Schools in Georgia

The responsibilities of a bookkeeper range from maintaining general ledgers and designing spreadsheets to completing financial reporting and handling both accounts receivable and accounts payable. In the guide below, we break down everything that an interested individual in Georgia needs to enter the bookkeeping profession.

We also explore several work environments and arrangements they can take when they start working, including part-time, full-time, and freelancing options. Furthermore, the guide includes specific sections designed to help individuals understand the licensing and certification requirements, along with possible training destinations with strong reputations.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Georgia

Below is a detailed outline of how to become a bookkeeper in Georgia

Pursuing High School Credentials

The majority of employers and training programs in Georgia will allow students to enter their establishment to become bookkeepers if they have at least a high school diploma. In most cases, those who don’t have a high school diploma are able to use a GED equivalent in its place.

Transferable Skills

To ensure career success, an aspiring bookkeeper in Georgia must love numbers, work as part of a team, and have strong organization/planning skills. Professionals in this field must also have strong interpersonal, time management, and problem-solving skills.

Finishing a Formal Program

Several community colleges and technical schools in the state offer amazing programs for prospective bookkeepers. Although it is not necessarily mandatory for candidates to complete such a program, doing so can be very beneficial not only for employment but also for credibility.

It also helps that most bookkeeping programs can be completed within a year, and some even allow candidates to learn from the comfort of their own homes or through a hybrid approach with both campus and online training.

Internship & Preparatory Roles

Learning in school is one thing, but to succeed as a bookkeeper, candidates also need to develop proficiency when working with real-world data. This is why the majority of bookkeepers spend some time participating in an internship or working as an assistant just to build enough practical experience before securing a full-time job placement.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a freight broker in Georgia

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Bookkeepers in Georgia looking to improve their credibility may pursue the Certified Bookkeeper credential offered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. To do so, they will need to have at least one year of training in an academic environment or professional experience.

Another credential that offers the same benefits is the Certified Public Bookkeeper credential offered by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. Candidates may qualify for this credential by completing a self-paced accounting fundamentals course.

Both credentials also have professional examinations that candidates must pass before they can become officially certified.

Top Bookkeeping Schools in Georgia

Candidates can attend any of the following programs for robust bookkeeping education in the state of Georgia.

Explore bookkeeping Schools in Georgia by city:

• Bookkeeping schools in Atlanta

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of bookkeepers in Georgia can range from $28,294 on the lower end of the salary spectrum to $64,225 on the higher end. The majority of professionals in this field in the state will be among the median earners rather than at the end of the spectrum.

Those who fall into this category can expect to take home an annual average salary of $42,628. By optimizing their professional credentials, experience, location, and workplace skills, professionals in the field can move from the lower end of the salary spectrum to the higher end.

The best locations to work as a bookkeeper in Georgia for high salaries include Duluth, with an annual average salary of $62,459; Alpharetta, with an annual average salary of $56,792; Atlanta, with an annual average salary of $48,494; and Norcross, with an annual average salary of $45,317.