Best Bookkeeper Schools Near You (2026)
Bookkeeper training is offered by trade schools, community colleges and career institutes nationwide, and bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks earned a median of $50,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Use the program finder above to request information from schools that match your goals, or browse bookkeeper schools by state and metro area below.
Key Facts
- National median wage: $50,670/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Pay range (10th-90th pct): $36,000 - $74,550 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Projected growth (2024-2034): -5.8%, ~170,000 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
- U.S. employment: 1,373,680 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
How to Choose a Bookkeeper School
Start with accreditation: confirm the school holds recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation, because it affects credit transfer, eligibility for some certification exams and how employers view the credential. Then compare the credential awarded, total program length and schedule, and how much of the program is hands-on.
Bookkeeping programs usually award a certificate covering double-entry accounting, payroll and accounting software; associate degrees in accounting are a longer option.
Choose a program with hands-on practice in the software small businesses use and a capstone that closes a full set of books. Graduates usually work for small businesses, accounting firms and as independent bookkeepers.
Some programs prepare students for voluntary bookkeeper certification (AIPB or NACPB); ask whether the curriculum maps to an exam.
Before you enroll, ask each school what the schedule looks like week to week, how much time is spent in the lab, shop or clinic, which credential exams the curriculum covers, and how the school supports graduates in their job search. Outcomes vary by program and region, so ask for the school’s own completion figures and how they were measured.
Bookkeeper Schools by State
Each state link goes to the most specific bookkeeper page we publish for that state: a statewide bookkeeper program guide where one exists, otherwise the state’s bookkeeper career page or trade school directory.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top Metro Areas for Bookkeeper Training
Large metros usually offer the widest choice of bookkeeper schools and the most employers hiring graduates. These city guides list programs within driving distance and local wage data.
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in New York City, New York (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in New York, New York (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Los Angeles, California (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Chicago, Illinois (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Houston, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Phoenix, Arizona (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in San Antonio, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in San Diego, California (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Dallas, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in San Jose, California (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Fort Worth, Texas (2026)
- Best Bookkeeper Schools in Columbus, Ohio (2026)
Related Careers and Guides
Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by location, experience, and local job market conditions. Employment or placement is not guaranteed. Program availability, admissions criteria, timelines, costs, and licensure requirements vary by school and state and may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the school and your state licensing board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bookkeeper training take?
It depends on the credential. Bookkeeping programs usually award a certificate covering double-entry accounting, payroll and accounting software; associate degrees in accounting are a longer option. Program length and schedule vary by school, so confirm the details with each program before you enroll.
How much do bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks earn?
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of about $50,670. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $36,000 to $74,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pay varies with location, experience, certification and employer.
Do I need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state, role and employer. Some fields require a state license earned by completing approved training and passing an exam; others rely on voluntary industry certifications. Always confirm current rules with the licensing board or credentialing body in the state where you plan to work.
What is the job outlook for bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks?
The BLS projects employment of bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks to change about -5.8% nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 170,000 openings expected each year on average (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Local demand can differ from the national figure.
Can I take bookkeeper classes online?
Some coursework may be offered online, but most programs include hands-on lab, shop or clinical components that are completed in person. Ask each school how its program is delivered and what the in-person requirements are.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |