Bookkeeping Schools in Illinois

Bookkeepers are professionals who understand how to properly record a business’s financial transactions in a manner that enables them to plan, analyze, and track cash flow. In the following guide, we cover everything candidates need to know to launch a bookkeeping career in the state of Illinois.

We begin the guide with a general overview of the foundational requirements before discussing how candidates can acquire proper training and how long they can expect to spend in a high-quality program.

The resources listed below include licensing and certification requirements, specific programs, and salary information.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Illinois

Below is an outline of how to launch a bookkeeping career in the state of Illinois.

Academic Education

One of the main reasons candidates pursue academic training as prospective bookkeepers, even though it is not compulsory by law, is the flexibility and convenience it offers. First of all, candidates in Illinois and across the country don’t have to complete 4-year programs to enter the profession, as 9-month certificate programs can be just as sufficient.

Secondly, future bookkeepers may also complete their training entirely online, even as they take on entry-level roles.

Preparatory Roles

To ensure a solid resume at the start of their careers, bookkeepers who are still in training may work in internship positions or as assistants to full-fledged bookkeepers and accountants to build some work experience.

Some employers and organizations in the state also allow candidates to work in preparatory roles before they secure full-time job placement.

Certification and Job Placement

By pursuing certification after completing a training program, fresh bookkeepers signal to potential employers their seriousness and dedication to the field. After fulfilling all these requirements, candidates can easily secure employment and begin advancing their careers by participating in continuing education and taking on more advanced roles.

We look deeper into the issue of certification for fresh and established bookkeepers in Illinois below.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a personal trainer in Illinois

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Both the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers and the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers offer highly respected certifications for bookkeepers in Illinois to consider. Both credentials allow candidates to designate themselves as certified bookkeepers, which will undoubtedly improve their credibility in the eyes of prospective clients and employers.

To become certified, applicants must meet the relevant requirements and be prepared to pass a professional examination. Most organizations require part-time work experience, academic education, and/or relevant skills.

Certified bookkeepers may also be expected to participate in continuing education to maintain their credentials.

Top Bookkeeping Schools in Illinois

The following schools offer quality training programs for future bookkeepers in Illinois.

Explore bookkeeping Schools in Illinois by city:

• Bookkeeping schools in Chicago

Salary & Career Outlook

The following destinations are notable for having the highest annual average salary returns for bookkeepers in the state of Illinois. These figures were obtained from a survey of professionals in the state carried out by the employment platform Indeed.com.

• Chicago, with an annual average salary of $52,754;
• Peoria, with an annual average salary of $48,772;
• Naperville, with an annual average salary of $48,502; and
• Skokie, with an annual average salary of $47,769.

In addition to the specific location within the state, a bookkeeper’s experience, workplace skills, and professional credentials will also be crucial in determining their annual earnings. Generally, though, most bookkeepers in Illinois will earn an annual average salary of $46,291, which is consistent with the median earnings.

Those in the top 10% manage an annual average salary that can reach $64,861 or more, while those in the bottom 10% can still make an annual average salary of $33,037.