What is a Professional Bookkeeper?

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Google defines the term "Professional" as: 

(Noun) – A person engaged or qualified in a profession, professionals include lawyers and accountants. Synonyms: White collar worker, office worker

Bookkeepers rarely are thought of as professionals within the accounting industry. But per Google's definition, even an office worker is an example of a professional. Looking at the key ingredients of what makes a professional, I decided to perform a comparison to provide a bit of perspective on the trends of professionalism in the bookkeeping industry.

The following table provides insights into the criteria by which a professional is measured, and the areas where bookkeepers must transition to become representative professionals.

The essence of a true professional is not only defined by the above criteria, but by being able to hold herself to a set of standards. When you refer to yourself as a professional, you're indicating to your clients and yourself that you have attained a level of achievement, continual educational and industry standards of quality.

Most bookkeepers fail to recognize themselves as a “professional” because they have not self-identified with a profession.

The accounting industry has not acknowledged bookkeepers as professionals, thus the lack of validation perpetuates a self-devaluing image.

As you can see, there are many similarities between the professions set forth in this chart.

Unfortunately, bookkeepers have not been held to any of these standards related to  a “professional” stature.

A professional membership organization is one of the key components in lifting the visibility and standards of professionals. Examples of professional organizations that raise the standards in the profession include AICPA for the CPAs, the ABA for Lawyers and the ICBUSA for bookkeepers. 

A common misconception is that social groups – think Facebook and LinkedIn – are a replacement for professional organizations. But these social-communities are lacking the professional requirements that help define the profession.

Client Perspective Needs Advancement

Far too many bookkeepers tend to believe that from their clients' perspective they could care less if their bookkeeper is certified or not. But in reality, the ability of a consumer to identify an individual with a defined profession really is important. In fact it may very well be critical.  

Again, this is where general perceptions come into play. Most people think the bookkeeping industry neither has, nor offers, any form of professional standards. Since most small businesses are not aware of professional bookkeeping standards or certification they don't seek out a bookkeeper who is certified.

Part of the responsibilities of being a professional bookkeeper is the education of your clients and potential clients on why they should be selecting a professional bookkeeper with certification, as opposed to someone to simply "do their books." The certification you earn in bookkeeping means you possess the necessary skills to meet the standards of the industry.

While consumers still will have a choice in whom they select, at least it will be an educated choice. As with the option of selecting a physician from either a licensed individual or an unlicensed person, I'd suspect that most people would choose the licensed doctor every time. I earnestly believe they'll make the same choice when it comes down to a certified or non-certified bookkeeper.

Mindset Shift Must be Promoted

Now is the time to make yourself indispensable. While you still can gain ground among the early adopters, you must decide to differentiate yourself as a bookkeeper with professional certification.

When you do, find an organization that wants to support you and grow your community. Choosing to be a professional in a community before the technology storm hits will help to increase the likelihood you will continue to grow your professional practice.

There are many credentials out there to signify that you understand specific technologies. But in the grid we presented earlier, you will see that the core of any profession is industry education.

Technology will continue to shift, but the underpinning basics of your core profession is what will separate the strong from the weak. Accounting principles have not changed for over 500 years. They still are the basis for all CPAs and accountant. They should be for bookkeepers as well.

To be the strongest professional you can be, you need a strong education in accounting, along with certification. You then can tack on the specific technology education for the specific tools you have chosen to incorporate into your practice.

I will leave you with one final definition from Merriam-Webster as it relates to "Professional" – 

To participate, for gain or for livelihood, in an activity that is often engaged in by amateurs

I attend many conferences where the vast majority of the bookkeepers I meet are not amateurs. They are professionals.

Please change your mindset. Change your voice. Begin showing your actual credentials. You are a professional – a bookkeeping professional, so it's time to act like it, show it and believe in yourself.

Jan Haugo is CEO of ICBUSA. Jan Haugo is CEO of ICBUSA. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., she has run a bookkeeping and accounting firm for the last 20-plus years, seven of which have been completely virtual with a focus on forward-thinking technology. 

Throughout her career, Jan has been an active thought leader and advocate for the bookkeeping community. She took her passion for the bookkeeping profession to a whole new level by starting up the newest country-member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers global association.

In just the last 18 months, ICBUSA has achieved increased recognition of the bookkeeping profession by setting stricter standards, forging new partnerships, establishing meet-up groups and social networks, as well as building a significant member base.