Every Business, large or small, is required by law to keep its financial records in good order. This involves recording all business transactions into manual ledgers or, more likely, into a computerised accounting package like MYOB or QuickBooks.

Bookkeeping is a great career choice because it offers consistent and reliable employment opportunities and the choice of working for a business or as a self-employed contractor from home.

Bookkeeping skills are valued the world over, which means if you want to travel and work overseas this is a great way to do it. 

Many bookkeepers are self employed, running a small business and sub contracting services to regular clients. Working at an hourly rate that can be more than double an average wage, this type of bookkeeper can earn a very good living with relatively little capital outlay.

Some self employed bookkeepers will build up their clientele to a point where they start employing other bookkeepers, or even accountants and other financial services professionals. It is possible from a small start as an independent bookkeeper, to build a substantial business.

Skilled bookkeepers may also find employment in other small businesses or larger organisations in finance (eg. Banking, Insurance, Finance, etc) or just about any other industry. Some of the employment opportunities open to qualified bookkeepers include Office Manager, Executive Assistant, Administration Manager, Assistant Accountant, Accounts Payable or Receivables Officer and Receptionist.

Some advantages of a career as a Bookkeeper:

• The work is secure

• Competent bookkeepers are in high demand

• It can pay very well

• If you enjoy working with figures it is very rewarding

• You will be helping business owners get the best out of their business

• There is likely to be a shortage of Contract Bookkeepers in future years

The Bookkeeping Institute of Australia offers the largest range of bookkeeping courses in Australia — designed to provide you with just the right level of knowledge for your chosen profession.

Our courses are not only available at our Brisbane campus, but are being taken via distance learning by students in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Hobart and across Australia.

Our Bookkeeping courses include:

• BI-570: The FNS30310 Certificate III in Accounts Administration — this nationally recognised accredited qualification has been developed for people seeking employment in a clerical position or as an accounting professional. The primary pathway from this qualification is entry level employment in a range of financial services sectors. It is the pathway to the specialist FNS40210 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and FNS40610 Certificate IV in Accounting.

• BI-575: The FNS40210 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping — this nationally recognised accredited qualification has been developed for people seeking employment as a bookkeeper or for people wanting to start their own bookkeeping business and become BAS Agents. The qualification is a learning pathway towards the FNS50210 Diploma of Accounting and the BIA Diploma of Bookkeeping. The BI-575 course is designed for people with little or no bookkeeping experience and incorporates the FNS30310 Certificate III in Accounts Administration pathway qualification. Two qualifications for the price of one!

• BI-576: For experienced bookkeepers and holders of a current accounting qualification we have the FastTrak FNS40210 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping.

• BI-580: The Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business Program — for people wanting to start their own bookkeeping business and to become registered BAS Agents. Incorporating the FNS40210 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping, the FNS30310 Certificate III in Accounts Administration, Microsoft Excel, MYOB and free membership of the Australian Bookkeepers Network, enabling you to arrange to legally lodge your clients BAS returns before you become a registered BAS Agent.

• BI-581: For experienced bookkeepers and holders of a current accounting qualification we have the FastTrak Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business Program.

• BI-582: The Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business Workshop for qualified bookkeepers and accountants who want to start their own Bookkeeping Business.

• BI-540: For transitional BAS agents looking to re-register before the 29th February 2012 who already hold a current accounting qualification we have the FNSBKG404A: Carry out Business Activity and Instalment Activity Statement tasks — the course in Basic GST-BAS Taxation Principles approved by the Tax Practitioners Board for BAS Agent re-registration before the 29th February 2012.

• BI-550: For transitional BAS agents looking to re-register after the 29th February 2012 and for diploma and accounting degree graduates intending to become BAS Agents we have the BAS Agent Registration Skill Set which includes both the FNSBKG404A: Carry out Business Activity and Instalment Activity Statement tasks and the FNSBKG405A: Establish and maintain a payroll system units approved by the Tax Practitioners Board for BAS Agent re-registration from 1 March 2012 onwards.

• BI-670: The BIA Certificate of Bookkeeping using MYOB AccountRight — an 8 day basic non-accredited MYOB bookkeeping course, including an introduction to bookkeeping and accounting principals.

• BI-660: Bookkeeping with MYOB AccountRight including Payroll, GST & BAS, Intermediate & Advanced Features — a 6 day comprehensive MYOB bookkeeping course.

• BI-560: Introduction to Bookkeeping & Accounting (Accounting for Non-Accountants) — a two day basic Bookkeeping course.

• BI-730: QuickBooks Plus with Payroll — a 3 day comprehensive QuickBooks course.

• Various shorter MYOB, QuickBooks and Excel courses.