QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate
Private, One-on-One Live Instruction in QuickBooks, Excel, Payroll, and Small Business Accounting
DWC’s QuickBooks bookkeeper certificate is delivered as private, one-on-one live instruction with a working accounting professional as your instructor. This is not a cohort where you sit in a virtual room with twenty other students and hope your question gets answered before the session ends. It is you and your instructor, every session, working through the full bookkeeping curriculum at a pace that matches where you actually are rather than where a group average says you should be.
The program covers 67 hours of live instruction across six modules: Microsoft Excel for accounting professionals (from fundamentals through PivotTables and macros), bookkeeping and accounting cycle fundamentals, payroll management and compliance, QuickBooks Online from setup through advanced reporting, and a Capstone project where you apply everything to a complete set of real-world business scenarios. The program also prepares students to earn the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification through Intuit, which is free to take and adds a recognized credential to your resume. Graduates receive the DWC QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate, issued as a higher education professional certificate by the State of Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools.
Because this is private instruction, you pick your start date. There is no waiting for a cohort to fill. Contact the admissions team, choose a schedule that works for your life, and begin when you are ready.
Length & Frequency
67 total class hours | 2 sessions per week
Delivery
Private one-on-one | 100% live online instruction
Tuition
$5,995
Scholarships
May be available; contact admissions
How Enrollment Works
There is no cohort calendar. You start when you are ready.
Step 1: Contact Admissions
Request program information or attend a free info session. Discuss your goals, timeline, and funding options with an admissions advisor.
Step 2: Choose Your Schedule
Work with your instructor to set your start date, session days, and session times. Evening and daytime options are available. Sessions meet twice per week at 3.5 hours each.
Step 3: Begin Training
Start on the date you chose. Your instructor meets you where you are, and the curriculum moves at your pace from day one.
Why Private Instruction Changes Everything
Most bookkeeping certificate programs are built around cohorts. You sit in a virtual classroom with a group of students at different skill levels, the instructor teaches to the middle, and you either wait for others to catch up or fall behind when the pace moves past something you needed more time on.
This program does not work that way.
Every session is a private meeting between you and your instructor. If you already know Excel and want to move through Module 1 faster, you can. If payroll compliance is the part you need to spend extra time on because your employer needs you to take it over next quarter, your instructor adjusts. If you are a small business owner who wants to use your own company’s chart of accounts as the working example throughout the QuickBooks modules, you can do that too. The curriculum is the same 67 hours of content. The difference is that none of it is wasted on material that does not apply to you, and none of it moves past you before you are ready.
Private instruction also means scheduling flexibility. You are not locked into a fixed cohort calendar. You choose your start date, your session days, and your session times. Evening and daytime sessions are available. If you need to reschedule a session, you work that out directly with your instructor rather than missing content and watching a recording later.
This format costs the same $5,995 as a cohort-based program would. The difference in learning quality is significant.
What You Will Learn in This QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate Program
The curriculum covers everything a professional bookkeeper needs to manage accounts, process payroll, and produce financial reports for small and mid-size businesses. Excel comes first because it is the tool bookkeepers use alongside QuickBooks every day for analysis, reporting, and data management. Bookkeeping fundamentals and payroll come next to build the accounting knowledge that makes QuickBooks meaningful rather than just button-clicking. Then QuickBooks Online is taught in depth across two modules, from initial setup through advanced reporting and customization. The Capstone ties everything together.
Download the Program Guide for the full curriculum breakdown.
QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate Curriculum
Module 1 - Bookkeeping Fundamentals
Students learn the accounting cycle from start to finish: how transactions flow through a business, how financial statements are constructed, and what those statements tell you about the health of a business. This module builds the conceptual foundation that makes QuickBooks work make sense.
- Introduction to the accounting cycle
- Account classifications, account names, and the chart of accounts
- Analyzing common business transactions
- Fundamentals of debits and credits
- Complex transactions and adjusting entries
- Preparing financial statements
- Basic financial analysis
Module 2 - Payroll Fundamentals
Students learn the payroll knowledge that employers expect from a professional bookkeeper: employee classification, wage calculations, tax withholding, compliance documentation, and reporting. This module is where the legal and regulatory side of bookkeeping gets real.
- Business entity types and special payroll rules
- Contractor versus employee versus statutory employee classifications
- The Fair Labor Standards Act
- Exempt versus non-exempt employee status
- Employee documentation: I-9s, W-4s, and W-2s
- Calculating gross earnings including regular and overtime
- Calculating net earnings and tax withholding
- Preparing tax documents and payroll reporting
Module 3 - QuickBooks Online Beginners
Students learn to set up and operate QuickBooks Online for a small business. This module covers the core transactions and reports that a bookkeeper manages daily: chart of accounts setup, product and service entries, common transactions (invoicing, bill payment, bank reconciliation), and essential QBO reporting.
- The QuickBooks Online environment and navigation
- Creating and organizing a chart of accounts
- Smart accounting setup for small businesses
- Entering products and services
- Recording common transactions: invoices, bills, payments, and deposits
- Bank and credit card reconciliation
- Running essential QuickBooks reports
Module 4 - QuickBooks Online Advanced
Students go deeper into QuickBooks Online with advanced features that distinguish a proficient bookkeeper from someone who just knows the basics. Customizing forms, tracking and paying sales tax, document management, collaboration features, and advanced reporting are all covered.
- Memorizing and automating recurring transactions
- Customizing invoices, estimates, bills, and other forms
- Tracking and paying sales tax
- Attaching documents to transactions
- Collaborating with accountants and business owners within QBO
- Backup, data management, and advanced reporting features
Module 5 - Microsoft Excel
Students build proficiency in Excel as a professional accounting tool. This is not a generic Excel course. It covers the specific workflows bookkeepers use: financial data entry best practices, formulas and functions for accounting calculations, PivotTables for financial analysis, charts for reporting, and macros for automating repetitive tasks.
- Excel fundamentals for bookkeeping: data entry, formatting, and best practices
- Formulas and functions for accounting calculations
- Advanced formulas and financial functions
- PivotTables, slicers, and charts for financial data analysis
- Automating workbook functionality with macros
Module 6 - Capstone Project
Students apply everything from the previous five modules to a complete bookkeeping engagement: setting up a company in QuickBooks, entering transactions, processing payroll, reconciling accounts, and producing financial statements. The Capstone is reviewed and critiqued by your instructor, and the program concludes with job market mentorship, career coaching, and guidance on sitting for the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification through Intuit.
- Capstone: full bookkeeping engagement from setup through financial statements
- Job market trends and career paths for bookkeepers
- Resume, LinkedIn, and interview preparation for bookkeeping roles
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification preparation and exam guidance
Tuition
DWC partners with Climb Credit to offer flexible student financing for all certificate programs, with monthly payment options designed for working adults in career transition. Institutional scholarships are available for veterans, women in technology, and individuals experiencing financial hardship, and may significantly reduce your total tuition cost.
DWC is also an approved provider under WIOA workforce training grants, which may cover full tuition for qualifying students at no out-of-pocket cost. Review the financial aid options below to find the combination that works for your situation.
Tuition Example
As low as $155/month*
Easy Ways To Pay
- Pay up front and in full
- Finance through Climb Credit
- Apply for a scholarship or workforce grant
Financial Aid and Discount Options
Climb Credit Financing
All DWC certificate programs are eligible for Climb Credit student financing, with approval typically within minutes and a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score. Climb Credit considers the return on investment of your program alongside your credit history, making approval more accessible than traditional lenders. Options include consistent monthly payments over 36 months or as low as $20 per month during active training, transitioning to full payments after graduation.
WIOA Workforce Funding
DWC is an approved provider under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which may cover full tuition with no out-of-pocket cost for qualifying students. Veterans, displaced workers, and low-income adults are priority populations under WIOA and are strongly encouraged to check their eligibility before committing to any payment option. Contact your local American Job Center to begin a free eligibility assessment.
Community Heroes Discount
Active nurses, teachers, first responders, firefighters, and police officers receive 40% off all DWC certificate programs with no lengthy application required. Verify your current role and receive your discount code within 2 business days, then apply it at registration toward any eligible program.
The discount can be combined with Climb Credit financing for the remaining balance to further reduce your monthly cost.
Next Mission Scholarship -- Veterans Only
Qualifying veterans receive 80% off standard tuition on this program, with the remaining balance financed through Climb Credit for longer programs or paid directly to DWC in two equal payments for shorter programs. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, separation within the past 7 years, and individual annual income between $30,000 and $75,000. Veterans whose income falls outside this range may qualify for the Community Heroes Discount or fully funded training through VA Vocational Rehabilitation.
*¹Actual price of program varies. ²Average award shown as an example only. Scholarships are reviewed and awarded individually. Scholarship award amount may vary. No amount of scholarship funding is guaranteed. ³Subject to lender terms and loan approval. This is not an offer for a loan. These loans are not offered or made by Digital Workshop Center but are made by the loan provider. These terms are representative and may not be the exact terms of your loan. ˆAvailable to those who qualify and subject to lender terms and loan approval. ˆˆPayment Plans available to those who qualify and subject to lender terms and payment plan approval.
Support Every Step of the Way
Guidance from pre-enrollment to graduation
Admissions Advisors
From pre-enrollment through your first day, talk to our advisors to learn all the important details about your program
Mentoring
Instructors are here to be your mentor before, during & after class. Working with an expert as a mentor will help you become industry-ready.
Student Support
Our dedicated student affairs manager will be there to help you get your accounts setup, assess your technology, download the proper files and more.
Career Coaching
Meet with a career coach to review your updated resume, portfolio & LinkedIn profile, as well as job search and interview techniques.
Tech Support
While in your program, if you are stuck and need help you can reach out to our tech support for guidance. Whether through Slack, email or phone.
Internships & Alumni
Sign up for our micro-internship network and explore new opportunities. Our alumni network is also available to all students.
Who This Program Is For
This program is built for three specific kinds of people, and the private instruction format serves each of them differently.
If you are a career changer entering bookkeeping from a different field, private instruction means you are not sitting in a room where half the students already know what a chart of accounts is while you are still getting oriented. Your instructor meets you exactly where you are and builds from there. No one else’s pace determines yours.
If you are a small business owner who has been managing your own books informally (or avoiding them entirely) and wants to do it properly, private instruction means you can use your actual business as the working example throughout the QuickBooks modules. You are not learning on a fictional company. You are learning on your company, with a professional walking you through how to set it up correctly.
If you are an administrative professional whose employer needs someone to take over bookkeeping or payroll, private instruction means the curriculum can emphasize the modules that matter most for your specific situation. If payroll is the priority, you spend more time there. If your employer already handles payroll externally and you need depth in accounts payable and financial reporting, the emphasis shifts.
No prior bookkeeping, accounting, or QuickBooks experience is required. Basic math skills and basic computer comfort are helpful.
Career Outcomes and Salary Data
Job market overview
Bookkeeping is one of the most stable demand categories in the workforce, not because the field is growing but because its turnover is high and every business that handles money needs someone who can manage it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 170,000 openings per year for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks through 2034, driven almost entirely by the need to replace workers who move into higher-level accounting roles or exit the workforce. That replacement demand creates a consistent, reliable hiring pipeline for people with the right skills and credentials. Common entry-level roles include bookkeeper, accounts payable and receivable clerk, payroll clerk, and accounting assistant.
Career progression
With experience and demonstrated QuickBooks proficiency, bookkeepers advance into roles such as full-charge bookkeeper, office manager with accounting responsibilities, accounting coordinator, and payroll administrator. The professionals who advance fastest are the ones who pair their QuickBooks skills with a solid understanding of the accounting cycle, payroll compliance, and financial reporting, which is exactly what this program builds across all six modules. QuickBooks proficiency is also the foundation for building a freelance or contract bookkeeping practice, which is how a significant number of working bookkeepers operate.
Compensation data
Compensation in bookkeeping reflects the accessibility of the field and the value of specialization. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $49,210 for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks as of May 2024, with the top 10 percent earning above $72,660. Bookkeepers who add payroll management, sales tax compliance, and advanced QuickBooks reporting to their skill set earn toward the higher end of that range. The QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification, which this program prepares students for and which is free to take through Intuit, is increasingly listed as a preferred qualification in bookkeeping job postings and adds meaningful weight to a resume in this field.
Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers track payroll and other financial information within a business, ensuring that all information is documented correctly for business and tax purposes.
Payroll Officer
In charge of processing the salaries of employees within an organization, payroll officers are responsible for ensuring money and finances stay secure and accounts are safe from scams.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts assess the budget of various departments across an organization and can recommend where to cut and where to increase spending in order to raise budgets elsewhere and to promote an overall increase in profits.
Why DWC Trains Differently
Most QuickBooks training falls into one of two categories: self-paced video courses from Intuit or third parties where you get no live feedback and no one looks at your actual work, or large cohort bootcamps where you are one of thirty people trying to get a question answered. Neither format is particularly effective for adult learners who need to actually use these skills in a real job or a real business.
DWC’s program is private, live instruction. Your instructor is a working accounting professional, not a video recording. Every session is a direct conversation about your work, your questions, and your progress. Class size is 1:1 by design, not by accident. Career coaching, admissions advising, student support, tech support, and access to DWC’s micro-internship network through Parker Dewey are all included for every student at no additional cost.
WIOA and Financial Aid Options: QuickBooks Bookkeeper
The QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate is eligible for workforce funding, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and flexible financing. Expand any section below to learn how to fund your program.
WIOA and Workforce Funding
The QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate is eligible for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding, which is a federal workforce development program administered through local American Job Centers. WIOA can cover part or all of tuition for eligible individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking to change careers.
Bookkeeping is one of the most consistent hiring categories in the workforce, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting approximately 170,000 openings per year for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks through 2034. Case managers who review this program will find strong labor market alignment: every business that handles money needs someone who can manage it, and QuickBooks is the most widely used small business accounting platform in the country. At $5,995 for 67 hours of private live instruction, the program sits within the typical WIOA individual training account range.
Your local American Job Center determines your eligibility based on your employment status and income level. If approved, your case manager authorizes funding through an Individual Training Account (ITA). DWC is listed as an eligible training provider and works directly with case managers to provide everything they need to process a funding request.
DWC prepares a complete documentation package for every WIOA-funded student, including the program description and learning objectives, tuition and itemized costs, the program schedule and duration, credential documentation for the DPOS professional certificate, labor market alignment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bookkeeping employment projections, salary data, and job posting demand), and student performance and completion outcomes data. Because this is private instruction, the schedule is set after enrollment based on the student’s availability. The admissions team can provide the case manager with an estimated start date and completion timeline during the approval process. If your case manager has documentation requirements beyond this standard package, the admissions team will work with them directly.
DWC is approved to operate and enroll students in Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois. Students from other states are welcome to enroll. If your state is not listed, contact the admissions team to discuss eligibility and funding options in your area.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact your local American Job Center to start the eligibility process, or contact DWC’s admissions team and we can help you identify the right workforce resources for your situation.
DVR Funding
The QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate is eligible for funding through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). DVR provides training funding for individuals with documented disabilities who are working toward employment. DVR services are available in every state through state-run vocational rehabilitation agencies.
Bookkeeping is a strong career path for DVR-funded students because the work is performed entirely on a computer, the program is delivered 100% online, and bookkeeping roles are available in virtually every industry and community. The private one-on-one instruction format is particularly well-suited for DVR clients because the pace, emphasis, and teaching approach are adapted to each student’s individual learning needs. If you have a physical, cognitive, sensory, or learning disability that affects how you process information or how long you can sustain focus in a session, your instructor adjusts rather than asking you to adapt to a fixed group format.
If you are already working with a DVR counselor, they can contact DWC directly to initiate enrollment and coordinate funding approval. DWC’s admissions team has experience working with DVR offices across multiple states and handles the documentation, scheduling coordination, and progress reporting that DVR counselors require.
If you think you may be eligible for DVR services but do not yet have a counselor, contact your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency to begin the intake process. Eligibility is based on having a documented disability that creates a barrier to employment. DWC can provide program information to support your application.
Scholarships
DWC awards scholarships to eligible students through the following programs. Scholarship availability is limited for private instruction programs. Contact the admissions team for current availability.
The Tech Skills Scholarship is for unemployed individuals who are returning to the workforce and need financial support to complete their training. Scholarship amounts vary and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Women in Tech Scholarship is for women pursuing careers in technology, design, IT, data analytics, or other technical fields. Bookkeeping and accounting support roles provide a stable career foundation, and QuickBooks proficiency is also the starting point for building a freelance bookkeeping practice, which offers schedule flexibility and income independence that many women value.
The Next Mission Scholarship is for eligible U.S. veterans and qualifying active-duty service members within 180 days of separation. The Next Mission Scholarship provides 80% off standard tuition on this program. For the QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate, that means a qualifying veteran pays $1,199 instead of $5,995, with the remaining balance financed through Climb Credit at payments as low as $34/month over 36 months. Eligibility requires verified veteran status (DD-214 or equivalent), individual annual income between $30,000 and $75,000, and separation within the past 7 years. Veterans with income below $30,000 may qualify for fully funded training through WIOA or VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) at no out-of-pocket cost. Veterans with income above $75,000 qualify for the Community Heroes Discount of 40% off standard tuition. See if you qualify or visit the Next Mission Scholarship page for full details, eligibility criteria, and required documentation.
To inquire about current scholarship availability for this program, contact the admissions team or visit the financial aid page.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Many employers offer professional development budgets, tuition reimbursement programs, or workforce training stipends that can be applied to DWC certificate programs. If you are currently employed and your employer supports professional development, the QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate may be partially or fully covered by your company’s existing benefits.
This is one of the most direct employer-benefit programs DWC offers. If your employer needs someone to take over bookkeeping, manage accounts payable and receivable, process payroll, or produce financial reports, this training pays for itself immediately. Many small and mid-size businesses currently outsource bookkeeping to external services or rely on employees who learned QuickBooks informally without formal training in the accounting cycle, payroll compliance, or financial reporting best practices. An employee who completes this program and earns the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification can take over those responsibilities with professional-level competency, reducing the company’s dependence on outside bookkeeping services and improving the accuracy and timeliness of financial operations.
If you are not sure how to approach the conversation, DWC has a step-by-step guide on how to ask your employer to pay for professional development that includes talking points, email templates, and tips on framing the request as a business investment. DWC can also provide a program summary document with the curriculum overview, credential outcomes, and a clear explanation of how the training benefits your employer. Contact the admissions team to request this document.
If your employer wants to explore QuickBooks training for multiple team members, DWC offers group training options in QuickBooks and accounting fundamentals. Contact us to discuss employer-sponsored enrollment.
Financing & Payment Plans
For students paying out of pocket, DWC partners with Climb Credit for student-friendly tuition financing. Climb Credit offers fixed monthly payments with terms up to 36 months, 0% interest payment plan options (subject to credit approval), no prepayment penalties, and an online application with fast approval.
For the QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate at $5,995, monthly payments through Climb Credit can be as low as approximately $155 per month. Apply through Climb Credit to see your personalized options, or visit the financial aid page for more details.
No additional software purchases are required for this program. QuickBooks Online sandbox access is provided by DWC for hands-on training during the program at no extra cost. A Microsoft 365 subscription is required for the Excel module and is not included in tuition. Tuition and a Microsoft 365 subscription are your only program costs. The QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification exam, which this program prepares you for, is free to take through Intuit.
DWC also accepts direct payment by credit card or bank transfer. Contact the admissions team to discuss payment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate at Digital Workshop Center is a 6-month, career-focused program designed for adults who want to build professional bookkeeping skills using QuickBooks. The program prepares students to manage financial records, process payroll, generate reports, and support small business accounting functions. It also prepares students to sit for the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification exam, which is offered free through Intuit. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about program length, schedule, cost, certification, and career outcomes.
Do I need prior bookkeeping or QuickBooks experience?
No. The program is designed for adults starting from scratch. Module 1 begins with Microsoft Excel fundamentals, and the bookkeeping and accounting concepts are built from the ground up in Module 2 before you touch QuickBooks. Basic math skills and basic computer comfort are helpful but no prior accounting knowledge is expected. Because this is private instruction, your instructor adapts the pace to where you actually are rather than to a group average.
When can I start?
You choose your start date. There is no cohort calendar to wait for. Contact the admissions team and they will help you set a schedule that works for your availability. Sessions can be scheduled during the day or in the evening.
Is this program eligible for WIOA funding?
Yes. The QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate is eligible for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding through local American Job Centers. At $5,995 for 67 hours of private live instruction, it sits within the typical WIOA individual training account range. DWC’s admissions team can provide full program documentation for case managers. State-specific guidance is available for Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois.
How long does the program take?
The program is 67 total hours of private live instruction, delivered in two sessions per week at 3.5 hours per session. At that pace, most students complete the program in approximately four to five months. Because this is private instruction, the timeline can adjust based on your schedule. If you need to pause for a week, you pause. If you want to add a third session per week to move faster, that may be possible depending on instructor availability. Students should plan for two to three hours per week of outside work for practice and review.
Why is this private instruction instead of a group class?
Private one-on-one instruction produces better outcomes for adult learners in bookkeeping because the material is cumulative and gaps compound. In a group class, if you miss something in the debits and credits section, you carry that confusion into QuickBooks and never quite catch up. With private instruction, your instructor catches it immediately, addresses it on the spot, and moves forward only when you are solid. The format also allows you to use your own business scenarios as working examples in the QuickBooks modules, which is not possible in a group setting.
What is the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification?
The QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification is a professional credential offered free through Intuit that certifies your proficiency in QuickBooks Online. It is increasingly listed as a preferred qualification in bookkeeping job postings and gives you access to Intuit’s Find-a-ProAdvisor directory, which is a client-facing search tool for freelance bookkeepers. This program prepares you to sit for the ProAdvisor exam. The exam itself is administered by Intuit and costs nothing to take.
What credential will I earn?
Graduates receive the DWC QuickBooks Bookkeeper Certificate, issued as a higher education professional certificate by the State of Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools. The program also prepares students for the free QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification through Intuit, which is a separate credential earned by passing Intuit’s exam. Together, the DPOS certificate and the ProAdvisor certification give graduates a state-recognized workforce credential and an industry-recognized software credential.
Can I use my own business as a working example?
Yes. This is one of the most valuable features of private instruction. In the QuickBooks modules (Modules 4 and 5), you can set up your own company’s chart of accounts, enter your own transaction types, and produce reports that reflect your actual business. Your instructor can walk you through your specific accounting questions in context rather than using a generic fictional company. If you are a small business owner, this means you are building a working QuickBooks setup for your business while you learn, not after.
Start Your QuickBooks Training
This is private instruction with a flexible start date. There is no cohort to wait for.
Request program information and an admissions advisor will follow up within one business day to help you choose a start date, set a session schedule, and sort out funding if needed. You can also attend a free info session to meet an instructor and ask questions before committing.
If funding is your first priority, start with the financial aid page. It covers WIOA, DVR, scholarships, employer assistance, and financing options.