How to Become a Bookkeeper in Maine

Bookkeepers and accountants play vital roles in business operations, with distinct yet sometimes overlapping duties.

In Maine, aspiring bookkeepers typically require backgrounds in business, accounting, or bookkeeping.

Strong mathematical skills and organizational abilities are essential for aspiring bookkeepers.

If you’re fascinated by numbers and order, delve deeper into this guide to uncover more insights into the field!

How to Become a Bookkeeper – Step by Step

Obtaining certification is crucial in this field.

Certification can be achieved through two pathways – learning and practicing.

Both pathways consist of three steps and share some common elements.

Let’s explore these steps to gain a better understanding!

Step 1 – Earn Your High School Diploma

Obtaining your high school diploma or its equivalent is important for landing a job in this field.

It’s especially important if you plan to pursue further education in college afterward.

This step is the first one for both available paths.

Step 2 Education – Earn a Degree

While not mandatory, obtaining a degree can facilitate easier job placement.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a degree is necessary for the educational path.

Degree options include:

• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree

Among these, the master’s degree is less commonly pursued by bookkeepers. However, it enhances credibility.

Later, we’ll explore schools where you can receive training.

Step 3 Education – Train on-the-job

Before becoming a bookkeeper, pre-employment training is necessary.

On-the-job training is common for those on the education path and typically lasts no longer than six months.

Training on the job will allow you to become proficient with the employer’s bookkeeping software is essential.

Step 2 Practice – Gain Experience

The next phase for those who choose the practice path is to accumulate one to two years of practical experience.

AIPB requires two years of experience for certification eligibility.

In contrast, NACPB mandates just one year of experience for licensure qualification.

Step 3 Practice – Earn the Credentials

If you choose the experience path, earning some certifications is important.

There are 2 credentials with national recognition that you can earn, but even just one is enough.

Here are the credentials you can obtain:

• Certified Bookkeeping Professional (CPB) designation provided by NACPB
• Certified Bookkeeper (CB) certification obtained from the AIPB

Obtaining these credentials involves taking the four exams provided by these associations.

The first two exams are conducted at one of the many Prometric testing centers.

The next two exams are open-book, allowing reference to your manual during the test.

Choosing an educational route to become a bookkeeper, you are still eligible for these licenses.

However, note that an additional 24 hours of training is required annually to maintain these certifications.

Bookkeeping Programs in Maine

You may not know any school in Maine offering bookkeeping training.

I did the research and here are some of the schools!

Biddeford Adult and Community Education

The training program offered by this institution is for a bookkeeping certificate.

You can attend classes from anywhere across the state because they’re offered 100% online.

Classes are delivered daytime, evenings, and weekends.

The available coursework must be taken in a specific order because they build one on top of the previous one.

Here they are:

• Understanding Debits and Credits
• General Ledger and Month-End Procedures
• Closing Procedures and Financial Statements

In total you have 12 weeks to complete the 48 hours of coursework.

When it comes to tuition, you’ll have to pay $495.

Massabesic Adult and Community Education

This institution offers a training program that ends with a bookkeeping certificate.

The classes are offered 100% online so your location is irrelevant for studying.

Its classes will still be delivered, no matter the time of day, daytime, evenings, or weekends.

This institution is certified by AIPB.

The cost for this course is $2,195.

University of Southern Maine 

By enrolling at this university, you can prepare for:

• Entry-level positions in accounting
• Study in an AACSB-accredited program
• Gain most of the hours needed to qualify for the CPA exam
• Possibility of entering an internship

The university has an Accelerated Graduate Pathway to the MaineMBA for those interested.

Bookkeeper Salary in Maine

Now that you have all the education information, let’s also explore the average salaries of bookkeepers in Maine.

According to salary.com, the median annual salary for bookkeepers in Maine is approximately $43,012.

Earnings can vary based on factors like education level, experience, and location.

To identify cities with higher salaries, please refer to the table below.

Regional Salary in Maine

Bookkeeper Schools by State