"In today's entrepreneurial company, the heart of the American economy and the key to its future job growth, the bookkeeper is the de facto CFO." That's from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). In other words, bookkeepers perform important daily functions that affect the company's bottom line. Unlike a CPA (certified public accountant) who may only be involved on a quarterly or yearly basis, bookkeepers are aware of every cash flow instance that occurs. So what exactly do bookkeepers do?

If you've ever worked for a small to midsize company, chances are you tried to stay friendly with the bookkeeper. That's because he or she handled things like your payroll, 401K, expense forms, health insurance paperwork, and other important financial aspects affecting you and your co-workers. Beyond making sure you get paid, however, bookkeepers work behind the scenes of the organization, handling financial transactions, keeping meticulous records, preparing financial statements and reports, dealing with company banking issues, and more.

Think you've got what it takes to become everyone's friendly, go-to bookkeeper? Start by enrolling in bookkeeping school.

Learning the Basics at Bookkeeping Schools
In order to become a bookkeeper, you may need to earn an associate degree in business or accounting at bookkeeping school. In a bookkeeping program, you'll master essentials such as databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and other specialized accounting software. You'll also hone your communication skills, which you'll need for phone calls and letter writing to clients.

Computer technology is another skill set you'll explore at bookkeeping schools. With many companies using accounting software such as Quickbooks or Quicken, you can set yourself apart from your peers by taking bookkeeping courses in such programs that will help you create invoices, trabck bank account balances and account information, and record accounts payable and receivable.

Preparing for Certification at Bookkeeping Schools
Once you earn your degree from bookkeeping schools, you can move up the career ranks by becoming a Certified Bookkeeper. The Certified Bookkeeper designation, awarded by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, indicates that your skills are up to speed. To become a Certified Bookkeeper, you must have at least two years of bookkeeping experience and pass three exams. More than 100 bookkeeping schools offer a preparatory course for bookkeeping certification, and another 150 offer a bookkeeping course online, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is certification necessary? Not exactly, although such a resume boost can open up many bookkeeping career opportunities. According to a survey of employed Certified Bookkeepers conducted by Lewis & Clark Research on behalf of AIPB, 41 percent say they were promoted and/or received a new job as a result of getting certified.

Whether you're always the one who figures out how to split the restaurant check, manage your family's budget, or if you simply like working with numbers, a bookkeeping career can be yours with the right education from bookkeeping schools.