Irrespective of the type of business you do or the clients you handle, staying ahead of the game is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As technology continues to reshape our work, professionals in every field, including accountants, must adapt and expand their skill sets to thrive in the Internet age.
Once considered a primary number-crunching profession, accounting has now transcended into a dynamic field of financial strategy, analytics, and innovative solutions. In this era of change, the role of accountants has evolved, and it presents a unique opportunity for those willing to embrace continuous learning and gain a competitive edge.
If you, as an accountant, embrace only the best accounting software, you might have already chosen QuickBooks for accounting task automation. This versatile and user-friendly software has become a cornerstone for financial management as it streamlines processes and simplifies complex tasks. Indeed, it has a plethora of features that can benefit the different types of clients you serve. If you are looking forward to mastering QuickBooks software, becoming a QuickBooks ProAdvisor is the perfect step forward.
So, what does QuickBooks certification mean and how can you become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor? We will have it all covered here in this complete guide.
Here are five steps you need to follow to understand how to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor:
The first step to becoming a QuickBooks ProAdvisor is to get cozy with this software and get a good grip on what it is all about. First things first, head over to the QuickBooks website and start exploring. You will find free trials to get your hands dirty with the software.
Here, it is important to familiarize yourself with its different features. Explore the menus, and see what QuickBooks offers, even if you're not a tech genius. QuickBooks is intuitive and user-friendly. You'll find many useful tools and functions to make things easier. From managing expenses and invoices to tracking income and generating reports, QuickBooks will have your back.
As you work through the guides and tutorials to use QB features, you will learn how they impact financial data. You'll have a solid foundation to build upon when you've familiarized yourself with QuickBooks, played around with its features, and completed the tutorials.
Once you have a basic understanding of QuickBooks features, it's time to move on to the second step toward QuickBooks certification: signing up for the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program. This program is specifically designed to help accountants like you become certified experts and gain recognition in the industry.
To begin, you need to visit the QuickBooks ProAdvisor website and sign up/register by providing personal and professional information to create a ProAdvisor account. The process here would be similar to signing up for any online platform. During registration, you may be asked to enter details such as your name, email address, contact information, and professional credentials. QuickBooks value the security and privacy of your information, so you can rest assured that your data will be handled with care.
Once you've created the account, you'll gain access to a wide range of benefits and resources that will support your growth and success.
After signing up for the program, the next step is to select the certification path that aligns with your goals and the QuickBooks products you want to specialize in. As you might already know, QuickBooks offers several certification options, including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions, and QuickBooks Point of Sale.
At this step of learning how to become QuickBooks certified, it's important to consider your areas of interest and the type of clients you work with or plan to work with. For example, if you primarily work with small businesses that use QuickBooks Online, it would make sense to pursue the QuickBooks Online certification. On the other hand, if you work with larger organizations that use QuickBooks Desktop or Enterprise Solutions, you might want to focus on those certifications instead. Later, you may even want to consider hosting QuickBooks on the cloud with the help of a renowned provider like Ace Cloud.
Once you have chosen the QuickBooks certification path that aligns with your goals and expertise, it's time to roll up your sleeves and prepare for the certification exam. This step is crucial in demonstrating your proficiency and knowledge in the specific QuickBooks product you've chosen. Here's how you can study and prepare effectively:
Access the study materials provided by QuickBooks specifically designed to help you understand the concepts, functionalities, and best practices associated with QuickBooks products.
You may also find webinars and virtual training sessions that cover important topics related to the certification exam. You can use them as a valuable opportunity to learn from the experts and gain practical insights.
Follow a systematic approach. Break down the content into manageable sections and create a study schedule that works for you.
Practice hands-on exercises and simulations to reinforce your learning. By working through these exercises, you'll better understand how to navigate the software and address common accounting tasks.
The next step to getting a QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification is taking the exam. You need to prepare for this moment and put your knowledge and skills to the test. The certification exam is typically administered online. You must review the exam guidelines and requirements beforehand to know what to expect. During the exam, you must read each question carefully. Pay attention to the details and choose the best answer based on your understanding of QuickBooks principles and practices.
Once you complete the certification exam, you'll receive your results promptly. Passing the exam means you've achieved the official QuickBooks certification for your chosen product. This certification validates your expertise and positions you as a recognized authority in using QuickBooks for accounting tasks.
After obtaining the certification, it's time to leverage your new status and promote yourself as a certified expert. You need to update your professional profiles to highlight your ProAdvisor status and showcase the value you can provide clients as a certified QuickBooks professional.
Lastly, you must continue your learning journey and stay updated on the latest developments in QuickBooks. This software frequently releases updates and new features, so staying informed is essential to provide the best service to your clients.
Bhavleen is a writer at Ace Cloud Hosting – a leading hosting provider for tax software, with several years of experience in the cloud industry. She loves to research various technologies and has a firm grasp on topics like Accounting, ERP, VDI, and HIPAA.