If you are a veteran or a veteran’s family member, you could take advantage of some incredible educational benefits that can help you start a new career or transition back to civilian life. If you are looking to enter fields like business, finance, or data analysis, you may want to learn QuickBooks. This platform is used in companies all over, in nearly every industry. This enhances your employability and gives you far more career prospects. Regardless of whether you are a total beginner or have some relevant experience, there is a course that fits your goals and needs.
Take the bootcamps and certificate programs at Noble Desktop, for instance. Their VA-approved certificate programs range in subjects like data analytics, digital marketing, and graphic design and are ideal for those returning home after their time in the military. By utilizing the benefits awarded to you through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (Chapter 31), and the Survivors' and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35), you can obtain all the skills needed to reinvent your career as a civilian.
What is QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is a popular accounting software created by Intuit that helps businesses handle their finances. It is beneficial for smaller companies that need a useful platform to simplify tasks like tracking income and expenses, managing payroll, and preparing for taxes. This flexible platform, offered in both desktop and online versions, works for you and negates the need for a lot of lengthy, confusing paperwork. Essentially, QuickBooks streamlines the financial aspects of a business and helps them make smarter decisions based on previous financial data.
With QuickBooks, you can tackle different kinds of tasks. First, you can create and share invoices and track how much customers still owe you. In addition, QuickBooks can help you stay on top of bills you need to pay as well as track inventory and manage a budget for materials and supplies. It also makes payroll easy, allowing users to automatically calculate wages, taxes, and deductions. It is particularly useful during tax season as it automatically organizes your income and expenses. Moreover, QuickBooks also helps with financial reporting so you can easily share profit and loss statements. All in all, QuickBooks is an essential tool for any small or medium-sized business as well as the solo entrepreneur.
Initially introduced in 1983 by Intuit, QuickBooks aimed to make accounting accessible to the everyday business person. Traditional bookkeeping can be complex and overwhelming; with the help of this platform, you can handle more tasks with even less effort. Over time, QuickBooks evolved into a power tool beyond initial comprehension, moving from a basic application to a fully functional cloud-based platform. As the technology and financial industries continue to develop and grow, QuickBooks is likely to incorporate more automation through artificial intelligence (AI) or even cryptocurrency management. In short, QuickBooks has come a long way and shows no signs of fading into obscurity.
What Can You Do with QuickBooks Skills?
QuickBooks skills give you a set of professional abilities that many do not possess. For instance, finance and accounting professionals use this platform to manage finances for business and individual clients, including everything from tracking expenses and preparing tax filings to running payroll and organizing records. Accountants and Bookkeepers often use QuickBooks because they can ensure the accuracy of what they are reporting and can use the information to improve business operations. This can make managing cash flow far easier and allows companies to have better insight into their profits and losses. Plus, it can create detailed financial reports like balance sheets and income statements as well as assist with daily operations, like managing inventory and monitoring sales. Truly, QuickBooks makes handling the financial side of things far less challenging and complex, which is why so many professionals use it.
However, QuickBooks is also useful beyond the professional world. It is a handy personal finance management tool that allows you to set and track a budget so you can work towards saving money and reaching your goals. You can use it to track your spending habits across certain categories so you can see where you end up spending the most money. QuickBooks is also great for managing household expenses like utility bills, subscriptions, and monthly housing payments. If you have a side hustle or work as a freelancer, QuickBooks can help you keep track of your income, expenses, and taxes to ensure everything is organized and ready for tax season. Moreover, you can use it to track any investments you have recently made and set more complex financial goals so you can stay on top of your finances. This skill pays off both professionally and personally, so it is clear to see why so many choose to learn how to use it.
What Will I Learn in a QuickBooks Class?
In a QuickBooks class, you will learn a range of skills that help you perform tasks like account and inventory management, payroll, invoicing, budgeting, and financial reporting, to name a few. Each class may vary in length, depth, and focus depending on the training provider, but generally, you will cover these key areas. As a veteran transitioning back to civilian life, learning QuickBooks can help you not only find a job but it can help you get back on track once you are living state-side again. This type of training provides you with practical skills and hands-on experience to help you land a role in finance, accounting, or small business management. It is a versatile tool that helps you prepare for the next phase of your life.
Account Management
In a QuickBooks class, you will learn how to manage your account and any transactions on checking accounts, credit cards, and loans. You will practice recording and categorizing these transactions for the most accurate and detailed financial reporting to ensure that you can stay organized and maintain clear records for tax purposes or financial audits. This is an essential skill that seems relatively straightforward but requires attention to detail, which many veterans already have.
Invoicing and Billing
QuickBooks classes can also help you learn to streamline the invoicing and billing process. This can be rather tedious if you do not have the right tools, but with QuickBooks, this process is far less strenuous. You can learn how to send professional invoices using customized templates and keep track of other expenses. In addition, QuickBooks allows you to track outstanding payments and manage overdue balances, so you may complete projects that give you practice with these skills.
Payroll Management
In most QuickBooks classes, you will also learn the skills to manage payroll. Specifically, you may practice calculating employee wages, deductions, and taxes as well as issue paychecks. QuickBooks also allows you to stay in compliance with state and federal payroll regulations, which ensures your business runs things smoothly and legally. You may already have insight into payroll methods, depending on your former position and role in the military, but at a minimum, it is easy to prioritize legal protocols when you are already used to doing so.
Creating a Budget
Additionally, QuickBooks classes can help you create and maintain a budget for business or personal expenses. You can compare financial performance metrics against planned figures and learn to predict trends that can lead to more data-driven actions. As a result, your company can plan for the future and any potential growth with far less hassle. Veterans and military service members alike have budgeting experience, both for professional and personal reasons.
Tracking Inventory
You will also learn to manage your inventory on QuickBooks. Through demonstrations and practice, you may learn how to set reorder points so you can avoid running out of essential materials while also avoiding overspending. This is a useful feature for small business owners or self-made entrepreneurs who need to keep track of inventory costs. Many veterans have experience with inventory management, but with QuickBooks, this task is even easier.
Financial Reporting
By the end of a QuickBooks course, you will likely know how to generate custom financial reports like Profit and Loss Statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Statements. These reports help your company understand how its financial performance is headed and determine what direction the business should take to continue growth. This makes it easy for the business to make decisions and plan for the future based on specific data.
Support for Veterans
If you are shifting back to life at home after serving in the military, you may not know where to turn at first. It is a big adjustment, but luckily, you have an arsenal of resources at your disposal. Some of the best benefits come from the GI Bill, which has been supporting veterans since 1944. It covers the cost of education for eligible individuals and takes some of the stress out of returning to civilian life.
You may be unsure whether you qualify for GI Bill benefits. If you find out that you do not qualify, there is no need to worry because you still have options for pursuing an education. The Forever GI Bill is an extension of the previous bill that expands coverage for veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001, received an honorable discharge, or have a service-related disability. This means more veterans can access education benefits than ever before which makes all the difference when shifting back to life at home.
These bills can help with tuition, books, fees, supplies, and even housing costs if you choose to enroll in a full-time, in-person program. If you have considered a certificate course, training centers all across the country offer VA-approved programs that are interactive and practical, ensuring you acquire employable skills. Training centers like Noble Desktop can help you take full advantage of your benefits and provide additional perks like mentoring or learning materials. With all this support at your fingertips, taking advantage of these benefits is a no-brainer. If you are ready to take the next step in your career as a civilian, consider all your options.
Why Learn QuickBooks?
Learning QuickBooks helps you start a professional career in various fields and positions, such as finance, accounting, and small business management. It is one of the most useful accounting software programs in the world. QuickBooks is trusted by millions to handle their payroll, bookkeeping, invoicing, and financial reporting tasks. For veterans transitioning to civilian life, learning QuickBooks can be life-changing. Whether you want to enter the workforce as soon as possible or start a business, QuickBooks equips you with the skills to manage finances efficiently. It is a versatile skill that can give you job security, rewarding pay, and a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Job Availability
With proper QuickBooks training, you can significantly broaden your job opportunities. Many businesses, across virtually every industry, rely on QuickBooks for daily operations. For veterans re-entering the workforce as a civilian, this is a huge advantage. Whether you are looking for work in finance or opening your business, QuickBooks proficiency is often a requirement for many jobs, from Accountant to Bookkeeper and Financial Analyst to Investment Manager. When you know you have a highly desirable skill in your tool kit, it makes it that much easier to let your worries go about finding a job once you return to the States.
Employability
Plus, this desirable skill makes you incredibly employable. Learning QuickBooks can boost your chances of landing a job, especially in those roles or fields where it is required but also in roles where it is not required. QuickBooks is widely used in industries like finance, accounting, and small business management. Knowing how to use it makes you a more desirable candidate for businesses and gives you more credibility. For veterans transitioning back to the civilian job market, this skill makes it easier for you to make the transition a smooth one.
Salary Expectations
Experience with QuickBooks can qualify you for jobs in accounting, bookkeeping, business management, and financial analysis. These fields typically offer rewarding pay across the country. For example, Indeed estimates that the average Accountant in the United States earns a yearly salary of $65,000 but many higher-level positions earn closer to $83,000. Similarly, you have to consider your location and the company for which you work. For example, San Francisco-based Accounts earn closer to $99,000 on average and those in New York City are closer to $76,000. With careers that offer stability and the potential for economic growth, it’s no wonder so many choose to learn QuickBooks.
Work-Life Balance
Not only are most QuickBooks-relevant roles rewarding and wide-ranging, but they typically afford a healthy work-life balance. Many roles, like those in bookkeeping or accounting, offer regular hours or the potential to work remotely. There are also part-time options, which can be great for a veteran looking for more flexibility in their transition back state-side and more time to spend with loved ones, reconnect with friends, enjoy some hobbies, and make a smooth shift back to being a civilian.
Honing Technical and Financial Skills
QuickBooks helps you sharpen both technical and financial skills as it is a powerful tool for managing finances, budgeting, and preparing reports. This not only boosts financial literacy, which is an ever-growing essential skill for professional and personal use. This means you gain some technical education that can be applied to a variety of jobs in business, finance, or tech, but also gain a reasonable life skill. Learning this makes you a versatile employee that can handle a wide range of tasks.
Why Choose a QuickBooks Bootcamp or Certificate?
Choosing a QuickBooks bootcamp and certificate program is a smart decision for anyone looking to quickly gain practical, job-ready skills in accounting and financial management. These programs offer intensive, focused lessons and are designed to give participants the most thorough experience. QuickBooks bootcamps and the certificates related to QuickBooks will afford you a broad range of employable skills that allow you to transition back to civilian life without worry.
Hands-On, Practical Experience
QuickBooks bootcamps and certificate programs are designed to be highly interactive and direct, meaning you will have experience with software and work on realistic tasks like setting up an account, managing invoices, tracking expenses, and generating financial support. This hands-on approach is often preferable for veterans who typically learn by doing.
Flexible Scheduling
One of the biggest advantages of bootcamp and certificate-style learning is that it’s flexible. It offers more options than traditional university programs and gives you the ability to learn from anywhere. You can choose remote learning options as well as those that are offered in the evenings and over the weekend. This gives you more time to fit education into your schedule, which is especially preferable as a veteran.
Career-Ready in Less Time
Unlike traditional degree programs, bootcamp and certificate-style courses are designed to give you career-ready skills in a fraction of the time. Universities typically require years of training and often focus on electives instead of the major parts of the skill you want to learn. This allows you to complete your training quickly and start applying for jobs sooner rather than later. Whether you are looking to work in accounting, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or managing your own business, the training you receive in these programs will allow you to grow professionally.
Job Assistance and Other Benefits
Many QuickBooks bootcamps and certificates offer support beyond the coursework, which may include workbooks, job assistance, and resume building. In addition, many training centers offer portfolio development and interview preparation. You can make connections with others and perhaps partake in networking events as well.
Learn QuickBooks at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is a well-known training provider that offers courses in QuickBooks, machine learning, AI, data analytics, and digital marketing, to name a few specific skills. Their VA-approved programs are designed to give you practical, hands-on experience in the skill of your choice so you can easily transition from military service to everyday life back home. The programs are immersive, meaning you will directly interact with the material and learn by doing. Noble Desktop also offers additional benefits beyond what your veteran benefits offer. Depending on the certificate program of your choice, you could obtain workbooks that help you beyond the classroom. In addition, you could benefit heavily from one-on-one mentoring outside of the classroom as well as resume, portfolio, and interview preparation. You will earn a certificate of completion once the course ends as well, which means you will have proof of your skills acquired and feel more confident moving forward.
If you are interested in exploring the world of data analytics, Noble Desktop has a great course that will complement your QuickBooks education perfectly. The Data Analytics Certificate offers 156 total hours of instruction that will teach you everything you need to know to transform raw data into valuable insights. You will get hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Tableau, Excel, Python, and SQL. This is all essential for data management, cleansing, and analysis. The course also includes realistic, project-based learning so you can build upon those skills once you enter the data analytics field. As a bonus, you will gain access to the Python for AI course which comes at no additional cost. This helps you further develop your skills and technical abilities while learning to create applications with Flask and OpenAI. Once this course ends, you will learn imperative skills that can help you succeed in the job search.
On the other hand, if you want a generalized data science education that can take your QuickBooks skills to the next level, you can explore the Data Science and AI Certificate program. This spans 114 hours and is ideal for those who want to explore numerous subjects, like data science, machine learning, programming languages, and AI. In this program, you will learn Python and SQL for data science tasks and explore machine learning algorithms to turn raw data into actionable insights.