GMCTA · Certificate Program
Bookkeeping
Master the fundamentals of small-business accounting. Complete this certificate in ~1–3 months with 240 total hours covering debits and credits, journals and ledgers, trial balances, adjusting/closing entries, AR/AP, payroll basics, and accounting software practice.
Program Overview
Develop accurate, efficient bookkeeping habits that employers and clients trust. You’ll record transactions, reconcile accounts, manage receivables and payables, process payroll at an introductory level, and produce basic financial statements using spreadsheets and accounting software.
What You’ll Learn
- Accounting Cycle: source docs, journalizing, posting, trial balance, adjusting and closing entries.
- Financial Statements: income statement, balance sheet, cash flow (intro), retained earnings.
- Cash & Banking: reconciliations, petty cash, deposits, electronic payments, fraud awareness.
- Accounts Receivable: invoicing, customer statements, cash application, aging & collections basics.
- Accounts Payable: vendor bills, terms & discounts, approvals, 1099 awareness (overview).
- Payroll (Intro): timekeeping, gross-to-net concepts, withholdings, posting entries (overview).
- Inventory & Costing (Intro): periodic vs. perpetual, FIFO/LIFO/WA concepts (overview).
- Accounting Software Labs: chart of accounts, customers/vendors, items, bank feeds, reports.
- Controls & Ethics: documentation, audit trail, separation of duties, confidentiality.
Sample Curriculum
| Module | Topics |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeping Foundations | Debits/credits, GAAP basics, accounts, normal balances |
| Recording & Posting | Journals, ledgers, trial balance, adjusting/closing entries |
| Cash & Banking | Bank recs, petty cash, deposits, fraud awareness |
| Receivables & Payables | Invoicing, cash app, vendor bills, aging/collections |
| Payroll Basics | Gross-to-net, withholdings, posting payroll entries |
| Inventory & Costing | Periodic vs. perpetual, costing methods (intro) |
| Software Labs | Chart setup, bank feeds, AR/AP, reports, exports |
| Financial Reporting | Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow (intro) |
| Controls & Ethics | Audit trail, documentation, confidentiality, role clarity |
| Career & Professional Skills | Resume, interviews, client communication, professionalism |
FAQ
Is this fully online?
Yes—training includes guided modules, graded practice sets, and software labs you can complete from anywhere with internet access.
Which software will we use?
Exercises use common small-business accounting platforms and spreadsheets. Specific tools may vary; concepts transfer across systems.
What roles can I pursue?
Bookkeeper, AR/AP clerk, payroll assistant, or small-business accounting support—titles vary by employer and industry.