Free Bookkeeping and Accounting Guides

They're free but you have to pay to get them? Right!

I have to tell you Melissa, and your two other NACPB missionaries. You are obviously paid shills for this organization. Your signatures are exactly the same. Your always selling something (books or memberships) and you never mention how many actual clients you have gained from membership or even if you are practicing accountants.

I have been in Accounting & Bookkeeping for over 25 years and in my sixth year running my own successful business. I have to tell you I have never met a CPB nor do I think any business owner small or otherwise could tell you what a CPB is.
What on earth does the "Public" in Cerified Public Bookeeper mean since you could never produce financials for a publicly traded company and would only deal with clientele in private industry.

This "certification" is wholly a creation of this outfit you regularly promote here. This forum would be better served by more posters sharing information on how to make more money rather than trying to take more money from ProAdvisors and others new to the practice of bookkeeping and accounting.

To everyone else, the best road to success in bookkeeping is to hone your expertise in the clear market leading software for small business accounting (Quickbooks), become a Certified...and then Advanced Certified ProAdvisor and set yourself apart from your competition over time with satisfied clientele that will extol your virtues to other small business owners.

Hi theleftbrain,

No, I am not a "paid shill".
No, I don't sell anything, just inform.
Yes, I am a practicing public bookkeeper.
I am happy for you that you are running your own successful business.
Yes, a CPB is not as known as a CPA, but better known than other public bookkeeper credentials.
If you really have been in accounting for 25 years and don't understand the use of the word "public" then I question your claim. The use of the word "public" as in Certified Public Accountant refers to the fact that CPAs serve the public. I know that because I worked in a CPA firm for 4 years. I know many CPA firms that do not produce financials for publicly traded companies, but they still serve the public.
Yes, the credential is wholly a creation of NACPB, just as Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is of Intuit and most other credentials provided by the issuing organization.
The best road to success in QuickBooks advisory services is as you state. However, QuickBooks is a bookkeeping tool and not bookkeeping. As many public bookkeepers do, I provide bookkeeping and QuickBooks advisory services. They are not one in the same.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers

First of all, Melissa is correct the use of the word Public as in CPA or in her case CPB just means that you offer your services to the public and are not a private accountant (one who usually employed by and does work for one company.

If Melissa is offering QuickBooks advisory services than why is she not certified in QB as well. As someone offering her services to the public she would need the software to perform these services anyway and the ProAdvisor program is about the same cost as Accountant Edition so you get the software and certification for the same price.

I don't think that theleftbrain was inferring that "Advisory Services" and "Bookkeeping" are the same.

When it comes to the CPB or Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and being made up by their organizations, while you are absolutely correct QB is not trying to confuse/mislead the public. CPA is a state designation and it lets the public know that a person has reached a certain level of competency in their field and is approved by the state. While the CPB may do the same the public has no idea what the standards are and could confuse them think it is also a state designation.

Good points. Now I'm sitting here wondering if I should even bother pursuing the CPB status. I mean, in truth, a person could state that he/she is a CPB based on having met the qualifications of any organization offering such a title. Food for thought in considering working towards becoming a CPA.

Jayne (glick5856),

I am a member of the QB ProAdvisor program.

As far as theleftbrain inferring that "Advisory Services" and "Bookkeeping" are the same. You are correct that she didn't state that outright. But, if you look at her statement:

"To everyone else, the best road to success in bookkeeping is to hone your expertise in the clear market leading software for small business accounting (Quickbooks), become a Certified...and then Advanced Certified ProAdvisor and set yourself apart from your competition over time with satisfied clientele that will extol your virtues to other small business owners."

She stated "...the best road to success in bookkeeping..." is accomplished through QB software and QB certification. What I was trying to point out is that I agree with her that QB software and QB certification are the road to success in providing QB Advisory services, but not necessarily the best road to success in providing public bookkeeping services because they are not one in the same.

If I understand what you are stating in your last paragraph, I can assure you NACPB is not "...trying to confuse/mislead the public." As their website states: "The Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license serves to protect the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals become licensed. The CPB license provides assurance to small business and nonprofit owners and employees that CPBs are trusted and competent professional bookkeepers."

Just as you stated, NACPB is doing what the Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor accreditation is doing. While you are correct about the CPA license, NACPB never states or infers that it is a state designation and approved by the state and it addresses public bookkeeping services and not public accounting services. Just like bookkeeping and QB are not one in the same, bookkeeping and accounting are also not one in the same.

The truth is there is no federal or state public bookkeeper regulation and thus the public has no form of assurance about public bookkeepers. Therefore, NACPB established a mission to "Protect the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals provide public bookkeeping services and to help public bookkeepers develop highly profitable bookkeeping practices."

I think there is a need for that just as there is a need for the Ceritified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Certified Public Accountant public assurances.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers

RoseL,

Certified Public Bookkeeper and CPB are NACPB Trademarks and no one can hold themselves out as a Certified Public Bookkeeper or CPB unless NACPB licenses that right to them.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers

Hey Melissa,

Yes, I know:o) Have you been involved at all with the AIPB? I've been searching threads that talk about both the AIPB and NACPB to see what people think about each and their certifications.

Thanks,
Rose

Hi Melissa,

I'm a he by the way, I notice the profiles don't seem to be showing up when you click on the names so I don't think you had any way of knowing.

My issue is that every post here seems like you are extolling the virtues of the NACPB. Most contributors here don't do that, it seems more like spam.than anything else.

My challenge to you is to submit a post without mentioning this organization.

Darren M. Dowdell, EA, MBA - Owner of The Left Brain Accounting & Bookkeeping Services

www.TheLeftBrain.com

Providing a "Virtual Business Office" through Remote Access, Online Banking, and partnerships with all major payroll service providers in addition to QuickBooks consulting, instruction and remote problem solving (via LogMeIn). Serving clients in Western New York, throughout the US and Canada.

Hi Rose,

I can't say I've been involved with AIPB, but I do like the association. Personnally I think anyone involved in public bookkeeping should be members of both associations. The only question is whether to obtain NACPB's CPB license or AIPB's CB certification. I think it's important to read both association's websites regarding their respective accreditation and even call each association to discuss their take on the differences.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Cetified Public Bookkeepers

Hi Darren,

Yes, I am an advocate for NACPB. They have helped me in so many ways that it is a pleasure to advocate the benefits of NACPB membership. Anyone wanting to grow a public bookkeeping practice should look into joining. However, if you pay attention to my posts as you claim, you will note that I don't post "Join NACPB" posts. But, I do refer public bookkeepers and accountants to resources they either inquire about or I believe they may benefit from as I have.

If you have an "issue" with my posts then may I suggest you just ignore them. It's really that simple.

If my posts "seems like spam" to you, I can send you some spam I receive and I think you'll change your mind.

I also have a challenge for you. If you have an "issue" with my posts, may I suggest you find more things to do because you apparently have too much time on your hands.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Cetified Public Bookkeepers