Bookkeeping Certificate
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Print- Understanding Debits and Credits – Build a solid foundation in accounting by learning how to record, track, and balance financial transactions.
- General Ledger and Month-End Procedures – Develop the skills to manage accounts, reconcile records, and ensure accurate month-end reporting.
- Closing Procedures and Financial Statements – Master the steps for closing the books and preparing clear, accurate financial statements.
How do you manage the finances of a business? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, running a family business, working in an administrative role, or looking to boost your skill set—this Bookkeeping Certificate provides you with the essential tools to understand, measure, and manage the financial health of your business.
Certificate Learning Outcomes
- Apply the principles of double-entry bookkeeping using debits and credits across key financial categories.
- Create and manage a chart of accounts tailored to a business’s structure and reporting needs.
- Record and post financial transactions accurately using journal entries and general ledger processes.
- Prepare and analyze trial balances, identify errors, and post correcting and adjusting entries.
- Perform month-end procedures, including bank reconciliations and preparation of financial statements.
- Understand the full accounting cycle, from categorizing transactions to closing the books.
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners who want more control and confidence in managing their business finances
- Administrative professionals and office managers who handle bookkeeping, invoicing, or reconciliation tasks
- Career changers or job seekers looking to develop practical accounting skills in a short timeframe
- New accounting or business students who want applied learning before advancing to higher-level studies
- Freelancers and consultants who need to track income, expenses, and payments for their business
Registration Deadline: Participants can register up to 5 days after the course begins.
Course Access: Offered in partnership with LERN. Log in 24/7—no live meetings.
Course Format: Weekly units include readings, audio-slide lectures, self-quizzes, and discussion forums.
Tips for Success: Log in 2–3 times a week and contribute 2–3 thoughtful posts per unit for the best experience.
Recognized Credentials: Earn nationally recognized CEUs from the Learning Resources Network (LERN), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association—perfect for meeting professional development goals or licensure requirements.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers this class/certificate in partnership with LERN. Therefore, you may cancel your registration up until you receive your login and password from LERN and receive a full refund minus any credit card processing fees. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu
In the unlikely event that this program is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Online courses offered with the Learning Resources Network (LERN) continue to run, as scheduled during inclement weather. If there are changes to meeting status, you will receive an email at the address you provided upon registration informing you of the cancelation.
*exempt-this offering is ineligible for waiver use
Student/Participant Conduct:
Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.com including:
Interim Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/courses/policies.html#accommodations
There are still openings remaining at this time.