Bookkeeping Schools in South Dakota

Bookkeeping as a profession requires a comprehensive understanding of financial and accounting principles. However, it also requires a love of numbers and soft skills such as planning, organization, and analytical thinking.

In South Dakota, anyone with the following core skills can quickly begin a successful bookkeeping career. They can do so by following the framework discussed below.

These include the most optimal ways to prepare for training, specific training institutions and programs, career advancement opportunities, and certification bodies. Readers will also learn how to boost their annual average salaries as bookkeepers in South Dakota.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Dakota

Below is a step-by-step guide to becoming a bookkeeper in South Dakota.

Basic Requirements

For those who want to study at an academic institution, a high school diploma or GED can make it easier to gain admission to a bookkeeping program. Other basic requirements for entering this profession include soft skills such as organizational skills, computer literacy, analytical thinking, planning and organizing, and interpersonal skills.

Proper Education

Proper education for a prospective bookkeeper in South Dakota must encompass both theoretical and practical instruction. The theoretical component of a bookkeeping training program covers topics such as inventory, payroll, depreciation, tax considerations, and bank account reconciliation.

During the practical component, candidates will work with simulated data using tools and software such as Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks Online. Students may attend campus-based programs that lead to academic awards or online programs designed to prepare them for certification.

Readers will find the top programs to consider in the next section.

Job Placement & Career Growth

Well-trained individuals can become successful bookkeepers and secure employment with businesses and companies across the state. They can work as accounts payable and receivable clerks, payroll specialists, or in any other related capacity.

Career growth in the profession can also be facilitated through advanced education and certification.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a medical biller and coder in South Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Bookkeepers who want to work in South Dakota can do so without obtaining a state or local license. There is no governing body, and common employer preferences include training and experience; certification can help.

Certification is not legally required, but it is well-suited for those seeking rapid career advancement and broader opportunities.

Several organizations in South Dakota issue certifications to bookkeepers. Still, the two most prominent are the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB).

Top Bookkeeping Schools in South Dakota

The entries below are among the top training institutions for future bookkeepers in South Dakota.

Explore bookkeeping Schools in South Dakota by city:

• Bookkeeping schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

The average annual salary for bookkeepers in South Dakota varies based on several factors. Generally, the following are the main classifications based on these variations.

• The annual salary for the top 10% is approximately $54,221.

• The median annual salary is $42,420, according to Indeed.

• The annual average salary for the bottom 10% is $33,187.

Location is a key factor driving these variations. The annual average salary distribution with respect to this criterion is as follows:

• Mitchell is at the top with an annual average salary of $57,017;

• Sioux Falls follows with an annual average salary of $47,388;

• Watertown ranks third, with an average annual salary of $47,013.

Other known factors are experience, credentials, and employers.