Bookkeeping is a high demand profession. As more and more small businesses enter the marketplace, the need for bookkeepers increases. Business owners need to be supported by professionals who can handle the finances of their business. They need to trust that these professionals are managing their books accurately and according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP).
Course I: Understanding Debits and Credits
Course Overview
This course teaches the method of double entry bookkeeping and the process of recording debits and credits. Students will learn how to identify, analyze and record transactions using journal entries. Students will learn about the accounting equation and the 5 categories involved in bookkeeping for every business. They will learn to create a chart of accounts that matches the needs of business.
Who Should Attend
This course is the first step for a student who wants to begin a career in bookkeeping. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Scope and Sequence
This course is held entirely online via the Canvas platform. Students will complete 4 hours of work each week for 4 weeks. Students who pass this course can then move on to begin the Bookkeeping AIPB Certification course.
Course II: Bookkeeping AIPB Certification
Course Overview
The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers is the bookkeeping profession's national association. An AIPB certification proves that the individual is recognized as an accounting professional, that they keep up to date on changes in bookkeeping, accounting and tax regulations, and that they have met the institute's high, national standards.
The course helps students prepare for the national Certified Bookkeeper examination by helping them to master the skills and knowledge required for certification which are as follows:
- Adjusting entries (accruals and deferrals)
- Correction of accounting errors (includes the bank reconciliation)
- Basic book and tax depreciation
- Basic payroll—paying wages, withholding, depositing and reporting taxes using the basic forms
- Recording and costing out merchandise inventory
- Internal Controls and Fraud Prevention
Who Should Attend
This course is not for the beginner. It requires at least two years of bookkeeping experience. Students who are new to the bookkeeping field must first take Understanding Debits and Credits.
Course Scope and Sequence
This course is offered on Tuesday nights at the Abington campus for 3 hours per night once a week for 13 weeks. Penn State Lehigh Valley students will access the class at Penn State Abington via Zoom at the Lehigh Valley campus. There is an additional 3 or more hours of course work weekly that must be completed online via the Canvas platform. The course is a total of 75 hours. Two of the certification tests are taken in class and two are taken at a test center while the course is ongoing.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Understanding Debits and Credits, or at least two years of bookkeeping experience, or a solid academic background in double-entry bookkeeping is required.
To become certified, a bookkeeper must pass the national certification exams, sign the Code of Ethics and submit proof of 2 years’ full-time experience or the part-time equivalent. The experience requirement may be completed after passing the national exams.
Course Details
To register for either course, contact Cindy Evans, education program associate, at [email protected] or 610-285-5133.