5 Ways You Can Become a QuickBooks Expert

QuickBooks is by far the most popular bookkeeping and accounting software. Millions of bookkeepers, accountants, CPAs, small businesses, and just regular people use QuickBooks. The software can be used as a simple way to keep track of personal finances across the spectrum to a highly efficient way for CPAs to handle their client's books and taxes.

If you aspire to be a QuickBooks expert, the Rules of Thumb blog from MoneyThumb would like to offer the following 5 ways that you can become a QuickBooks expert. These tips come from personal experience of current QuickBooks experts:

5 Ways You Can Become a QuickBooks Expert

1. Determine Which Version is Right For You.

One thing you need to know is that you can choose between online and desktop versions of QuickBooks. It’s also important to know that they are totally different types of software programs. QuickBooks has versions for every type of need, whether for simple personal finance organization and maintenance or to handle major business clients as an accountant or CPA. Be sure you choose the right version for your needs.

2. Establish the Right Design and Structure.

QuickBooks is a list-driven system. Your success with getting the reports you need from QuickBooks depends upon the design and structure of those lists. Each of these lists requires planning and careful consideration. The up-front time you spend to get these right will save hundreds of “down-the-road” clean-up hours. Creating the correct design and structure for your QuickBooks implementation is critical to success.

3. Get High-Quality Training.

If you have never used QuickBooks before, jumping right in and trying to use it without learning how it works first is a recipe for wasted time and frustration. When you purchase the software, you will receive detailed instructions on how to use it. However, those who really want to become experts at QuickBooks search out more advanced, high-quality training for those who are already experts at using the product.

4. Follow Popular QuickBooks Blogs and Watch Training Webinars

To really get serious about becoming a QuickBooks expert, begin following the most popular and relevant blogs about QuickBooks. The company has its own blog, which you can find here, and they also offer weekly free webinars.  By stepping up your gain with advanced training and research like this, you are on your way to becoming a QuickBooks expert.

5. Become a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor

Now you are at the final step to becoming a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor. This distinguishment will definitely set you on the fast track to gaining clients and making more money. You can self-pace your training before taking the exam and getting your certificate announcing yourself as a Pro Advisor. There are college credits available at each stage of the process.

Becoming an expert at QuickBooks, as you can see from the suggestions above, all have to do with the level of expert you want or need to be. From an expert to make yourself proud and handle all your friends and families taxes, to becoming a certified Pro as a professional accountant, like everything else in life, you get back what you put on. And just so you know, MoneyThumb's PDF financial file converters work perfectly with QuickBooks.

From the Rules of Thumb blog and the MoneyThumb team, we hope you have a great weekend and a very Happy 4th of July!