Learn bookkeeping on the job?

This is probably a silly question, but I am wondering, how many of you learned bookkeeping "on the job" at some point in your working career, and how many actually took classes?

The reason I ask is this: I am doing absolutely all functions of bookkeeping at my current job. It's the first time I've been entrusted with the whole thing (except financials, annual taxes, and determining what quarterly adjustments need to be made---offsite accounting group does this part) I've done different parts of the bookkeeping for 12 years.

I like it. I feel I am competent. I know that the gal that had the job before I did (and did it for several years) did some things (or neglected to do some things) that just astonish me. It was a mess. The accountant, who comes in quarterly, spent days cleaning up at year end for 3 years worth of problems that had carried over. Those I would never have been able to figure out.. I just didn't have a clue. Since then, she comes in quarterly, takes a look, flies back out the door and says I am doing a great job.

So, here's the silly question. CAN I call myself a bookkeeper? Can I market it? I can do everything, and enjoy it. But somehow I feel like I need some kind of "test" to prove it.

I feel like I have a good handle on the books, and any time I am NOT certain of where things should go, I can always find the answer. (In fact, the only issue I had this past quarter was figuring out WHICH account the tax payment reimbursement to my CEO was to go in. We have an s-corp situation,and he pays the taxes, but it apparently goes back into an owner's disbursemnts account. Which confuses me, becuase , um, where's the disbursement? He didn't get anything out of it! LOL! See, the SCorp tax laws confuse me.

Thanks for any and all input!

[Rebecka Melson]

The majority of my training came from on the job. I did take a couple of accounting classes in college, but that was after I had been doing bookkeeping for several years. I also attend seminars and do online classes occassionally to keep up with payroll and tax law changes. However, you can offer bookkeeping without doing taxes or payroll. Those are really niches all to themselves.

I do recommend all of my clients use a CPA to review their books at least once a year and also have them prepare their tax returns. I'm a good bookkeeper but it's always good to have someone check your work, also, a CPA will be up on any tax law changes and can possibly help them save more money on their taxes.

I have been the sole bookkeeper for all the companies I worked for, but I always sent the books to an outside CPA on a quarterly basis for review and for them to do the taxes. I also could call them whenever I had a question about how to handle something. I learned a lot about bookkeeping that way.

I've considered becoming a Certified Bookkeeper, but I just haven't had the time to do it. I would also like to become a QuickBooks Pro Advisor (I am a QB Certified User). I honestly don't know how much this would help as far as gaining clients, but it can't hurt. I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually.

[Rebecka Melson]

Also, you can call yourself a bookkeeper or even an accountant. There are no licensing requirements for either of these. However you cannot refer to yourself as a CPA or claim any other certifications without actually holding the certification.

I prefer not to call myself an accountant and always use the term bookkeeper, because I've found that when you say "accountant" most people automatically assume you are a CPA. I'm not a CPA and do not want to give even the false impression that I am one.

[lanelt]

I've held various bookkeeping and senior level accounting positions over the years. I received my education first through college courses then started working in the field. I then took advance tax courses because I was working as a tax preparer in addition to doing bookkeeping work and the state I was working had strict requirements for all tax preparers.

If you're doing work of a bookkeeper then yes you can call yourself a bookkeeper. Here's a site with good definitions of various bookkeeping titles:
Assistant Bookkeeper, Bookkeeper, Full-charge Bookkeeper, Freelance Bookkeeper, and Certified Bookkeeper. You want to be sure to accurately define what you are capable of doing.

Be careful about using the term accountant. State laws vary and some have strict guidelines about the usage. Depending on where you live you could get into a lot of trouble if you use the term accountant and do now meet your states guidelines.

[Office Goddess]

My circumstances are pretty much identical to Rebecka's. I call my myself a bookkeeper and use a CPA to 'vet' everything on an annual basis. I am also a Certified QuickBooks user and AM working on the Certified Bookkeeper designation (through AIPB).

[deannatroupe]

How can I learn quickbooks without buying the software?

[Rebecka Melson]

How can I learn quickbooks without buying the software?

You can take a class, but the cost of the class would probably cost as much or more as the software.

QuickBooks just launched the 2009 version so you could probably get a good deal on the 2008 version somewhere if you shop around.

[Elise]

I think if you are very comfortable and know the ins and outs of bookeeping then I don't see why you couldn't call yourself a bookeeper. You may just have to refer the client back to their accountant to answer the sticky questions that way you don't take on the liabilities - not sure what the rules are over yonder but each country is different.
Just something to bear in mind.

[Administrative Partners]

i've recently signed up for a Quickbooks class its an 8 hour class and they require that you download the Quickbooks trial and bring your laptop. I am really looking forward to the class. That is in November. Going forward I am planning to not only use it for my own personal use but offer it as a new service in January. I'm sure I'll plenty of questions ladies :-)

[Elise]

Your thread inspired me to actually get my books in order and I have signed up for an MYOB course starting next week for 8 weeks. Perhaps in the new year it will be a service that I can offer as well.