Demand for accounting professionals is on the rise. According to the , globalization, a robust economy , and a complex tax and regulatory environment are all critical components in the growing need for knowledgeable accountants and auditors.
To help students succeed in the increasingly complicated world of finance and accounting, it’s crucial that educators help lay an expansive foundation – one that is built on more than just accounting principles. Preparing learners with tangible skills and credentials in today’s most requested accounting-adjacent applications will make them stand out from other job seekers.
Read on to discover how you can prepare your learners to become accounting triple threats with skills in bookkeeping, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel.
Bookkeeping and accounting best practices
Day-to-day finances are the lifeblood of a small or medium business. Business owners want to know that they can trust their accountant or accounting team to help them achieve financial success. By teaching foundational bookkeeping skills, you’re preparing tomorrow’s professionals for success in entry-level accounting positions.
“I make sure to offer all my students the Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional certification. That is huge for me,” said Lenice DeLuca, accounting instructor at Immokalee Technical College in Southwest Florida. “I don't even want to send them into the workforce without that certification. It gives them everything they need to get that entry-level position.”
Learners who pass the Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional certification understand:
- Accounting basics, such as vocabulary and principles
- Accounting for assets and sales transactions
- Accounting for liabilities, equity, and purchase transactions
- Reconciliation and financial statements
Acquiring this level of bookkeeping knowledge and an understanding of accounting principles prepare learners to fully utilize various applications required for accounting roles.
Intuit QuickBooks
Empower your learners with practical, hard skills to take into their first job interview. In 2023, Intuit owned , with 6.5 million online subscribers across the US, UK, and Canada. QuickBooks skills are essential for those looking for jobs in accounting today.
Pairing the Intuit Bookkeeping Professional certification with the Intuit QuickBooks Online Certified User certification provides students with the comprehensive knowledge needed to manage financial records accurately and efficiently, making them attractive candidates for a wide range of accounting and finance roles.
“If you are helping small business owners, I cannot overstate the value of a QuickBooks certification. If your students are leaning toward a specific career path, like small business accounting, they should take the time to learn the tools that are used in that industry or niche,” said Sean Duncan, President of SMD Consulting & Accounting, LLC. “Any advance knowledge they have about it will not only help them in the interview, but it’ll also help them succeed in the job itself.”
Learners who pass the Intuit QuickBooks Online Certified User certification will understand:
- Intuit QuickBooks Online administration
- Sales and money-in
- Vendors and money-out
- Bank accounts, transaction rules, and receipts
- Basic reports and views
Applicants who walk into a job interview with a bookkeeping certification and a credential for QuickBooks mastery have more than enough to help them stand out. But what if you took things one step further?
Microsoft Excel
Like Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel is the premiere solution for accountants and financial professionals. With Microsoft Excel, professionals are able to effectively manage company spreadsheets and financial data. The Robert Half report found that 63% of American companies consider Microsoft Excel as an essential accounting tool.
Preparing students for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel certification will give them the knowledge to effectively use Excel spreadsheets in their accounting careers. Learners who pass the MOS Excel certification will understand how to:
- Manage worksheets and workbooks
- Manage data cells and ranges
- Manage tables and table data
- Perform operations by using formulas and functions
- Manage charts
With certified Excel skills, learners not only know how to process and manage financial data, but also how to display this data in a digestible format for their colleagues.
Ready to help your students become an accounting triple threat? Connect with our sales team here.