How Much is Intuit QuickBooks Certification? A Comprehensive Guide to Cost, Value, and the Certification Journey
Are you considering getting certified in QuickBooks? Excellent choice! Whether you're a budding bookkeeper, a seasoned accountant, or a small business owner looking to master your finances, a QuickBooks certification can significantly boost your credibility and career prospects. But the big question on everyone's mind is, "How much is it going to cost me?"
Let's dive deep into the world of QuickBooks certification, exploring not just the financial cost, but also the investment in your future.
Step 1: Understand the Different Certification Paths
Before we talk about money, let's understand what you're actually paying for. Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, offers different certification levels, each with a different purpose and price tag. So, what's your goal?
QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU): This is an entry-level certification for individuals who want to demonstrate proficiency in using QuickBooks software. It's great for students, administrative assistants, and bookkeepers who work for a single company. This certification is often obtained through educational institutions or testing centers like Certiport.
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program: This is the gold standard for accounting professionals and bookkeepers who work with multiple clients. As a ProAdvisor, you get access to a suite of resources, training, and support from Intuit. The certifications under this program are more advanced and cover various QuickBooks products (Online, Desktop, Payroll, etc.).
Think about your career aspirations. Are you looking to manage the books for your own business, or do you want to build a freelance bookkeeping practice or a full-fledged accounting firm? Your answer will determine the right path for you.
Step 2: Decoding the Costs
Now for the financial breakdown. The cost of a QuickBooks certification isn't a single, fixed number. It's a combination of different factors.
QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) Cost
Exam Fee: The primary cost is the exam fee itself. The price can vary depending on the testing center (Certiport) and your location. It's typically in the range of $150 to $200 USD. This fee covers the cost of taking the proctored exam.
Training Materials: You'll likely want to purchase training materials to prepare for the exam. These can include official study guides, online courses, and practice exams. These can range from $25 to several hundred dollars, depending on the provider and the comprehensiveness of the course. Udemy and other online learning platforms often offer affordable courses.
Total Estimated Cost: For the QBCU, you can expect to spend anywhere from $175 to $400+, depending on how you choose to prepare.
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program Cost
This is where things get a bit more interesting, as the certification is tied to the ProAdvisor program, which has its own benefits and costs.
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification: The best news? The certification exam for QuickBooks Online is free when you sign up for the QuickBooks Online Accountant program. This program is a free platform for accounting professionals to manage their clients' books. You get access to all the training materials and the certification exam at no cost. This is a significant value from Intuit.
QuickBooks Desktop ProAdvisor Certification: The certification for QuickBooks Desktop is usually part of a paid annual membership to the QuickBooks Desktop ProAdvisor program. The cost for this membership has historically been around $499 per year. This fee includes the software, training, and access to the certification exams.
Recertification: To maintain your certified status and stay up-to-date with the latest features, you need to recertify annually. The recertification exam for QuickBooks Online is also free for ProAdvisors.
So, in short:
QuickBooks Online Certification: FREE (with a free QuickBooks Online Accountant account)
QuickBooks Desktop Certification: ~ $499/year (as part of the ProAdvisor Desktop membership)
Step 3: Preparing for the Exam
Regardless of the certification you choose, proper preparation is key to success. Don't underestimate the difficulty of these exams, especially the ProAdvisor ones.
Sub-heading: Utilize the Free Resources
Intuit's ProAdvisor Academy: If you're pursuing the ProAdvisor certification, this is your best friend. The ProAdvisor Academy, accessible through your QuickBooks Online Accountant dashboard, offers a wealth of free training modules, webinars, and tutorials. These are updated regularly to reflect the latest software changes.
QuickBooks Test Drive: Intuit provides a "test drive" of QuickBooks Online, which is a great way to practice and get comfortable with the software in a safe, simulated environment.
Study Guides and Practice Exams: Many third-party providers offer study guides and practice exams, some of which are free. Use them to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more practice.
Sub-heading: Consider Paid Training
While free resources are abundant, some individuals prefer the structure and guidance of a paid training program.
Live Webinars and Workshops: Intuit and other training providers often offer live certification events and webinars. These can be a great way to ask questions and learn from experienced instructors.
Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and others have a variety of QuickBooks certification courses. These can range from basic to advanced and often include hands-on exercises and quizzes. Look for courses with high ratings and recent updates.
Step 4: Taking the Exam and Beyond
The exam itself is the final step in the certification process.
Sub-heading: Be Prepared for a Challenging Exam
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Exam: This exam is known for being challenging and practical. It's not just about memorizing features; it's about understanding workflows and best practices. Many questions are scenario-based, requiring you to apply your knowledge to real-world situations. The exam is divided into several sections, and you need to pass each section to earn your certification. You can take the exam in multiple sittings, and if you fail a section, you can retake it.
Open-Book, But Don't Rely on It: While the ProAdvisor exams are "open-book," meaning you can use the training materials, this doesn't mean they are easy. You need to know where to find the answers quickly, as the exam is timed.
Sub-heading: The Rewards of Certification
Once you're certified, the benefits are clear.
Enhanced Credibility: A QuickBooks certification is a visible testament to your expertise. It builds client trust and enhances your professional credibility.
Increased Earning Potential: Certified ProAdvisors often charge higher rates for their services and are more likely to land high-paying jobs.
Access to the ProAdvisor Directory: As a certified ProAdvisor, you get a free listing on Intuit's "Find-a-ProAdvisor" directory, which can lead to new clients and business opportunities.
In conclusion, the cost of QuickBooks certification is an investment in your career. While the financial cost varies, the return on investment in terms of professional growth and earning potential is immeasurable.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 quick answers to common questions about QuickBooks certification.
How to get QuickBooks Online certified? You can get QuickBooks Online certified for free by creating a QuickBooks Online Accountant account and accessing the training modules and certification exam in the ProAdvisor Academy.
How to find a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor? You can find a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor by using Intuit's official "Find-a-ProAdvisor" directory on their website.
How to prepare for the QuickBooks certification exam? To prepare, utilize Intuit's free training materials in the ProAdvisor Academy, use the QuickBooks Test Drive, and consider taking practice exams from third-party providers.
How to renew my QuickBooks certification? You must pass an annual recertification exam to maintain your certified status. This exam covers new features and updates to the software.
How to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor? To become a ProAdvisor, you need to sign up for the QuickBooks Online Accountant program (free) and pass the certification exam for a specific QuickBooks product, such as QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop.
How to get a QuickBooks Certified User certification? You can obtain a QuickBooks Certified User certification by taking a proctored exam through a testing center like Certiport, often after completing a training course.
How to know if a QuickBooks course is legitimate? Look for courses offered by Intuit, Certiport, or reputable online learning platforms with positive reviews and instructors who are certified ProAdvisors themselves.
How to use the QuickBooks Test Drive for practice? Simply search for "QuickBooks Online Test Drive" on the internet to access a free, simulated company file where you can practice without affecting real data.
How to get CPE credits from QuickBooks training? Many of the training modules and webinars offered by Intuit through the ProAdvisor Academy are eligible for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits, which are essential for maintaining professional licenses like CPA.
How to decide between QuickBooks Certified User and ProAdvisor? Choose the Certified User certification if you'll be using QuickBooks for a single employer. Choose the ProAdvisor certification if you plan to work with multiple clients as a consultant, freelancer, or accounting firm employee.