Best QuickBooks Classes in Chicago
QuickBooks is a popular accounting software program. Many small and medium businesses use it to help them keep track of finances and make more informed business decisions. Created by Intuit, Quickbooks has become one of the most popular accounting programs, and is used by a significant percentage of businesses. It comes in both a desktop and a cloud-based version, both of which are available for a yearly subscription fee.
QuickBooks is popular because it can help businesses save time and money, and operate more efficiently. This program can be used for a wide variety of tasks including paying bills, creating reports, and managing income and expenses. For all of these tasks, QuickBooks offers many tools and shortcuts that can save users a lot of time. This program also allows users to create many different types of reports, making it easy for businesses to get a good understanding of their finances.
Best QuickBooks Classes & Schools in Chicago
You’ll find many class options if you want to learn QuickBooks in the Chicago area. Computer Training Source, Inc. offers in-person training in downtown Chicago, and also in nearby Schaumburg and Naperville. Students can choose from training for desktop or online versions of the program. Quickbooks Online Part I is a one-day class designed for beginners who want to learn the online version. It covers entering and editing bills, checks and credit card transactions, setting up services and inventory, purchase orders, sales tax, and reconciling. Payroll is not covered. Tuition is $425. The content in QuickBooks Desktop Part I is similar to the QuickBooks Online, but is for the desktop version of QuickBooks.
Computer Training Source also offers Level II and Level III classes. In QuickBooks Online Part II, students learn more advanced skills such as customizing forms, creating reports, using other QuickBooks accounts, configuring multiple users, and preparing payroll. Tuition is $499. QuickBooks Online Part III is $545 and is focused on using QuickBooks for a mock company.
The Digital Workshop Center also runs QuickBooks classes. QuickBooks Online for Beginners takes place live online. There are three class sessions, with an average class size of six people. Tuition is $1,406. In this class, students learn QuickBooks essentials including small business accounting basics, setting up a company file, creating a chart of accounts, entering products and services, recording common transactions, creating estimates and invoices for customers, entering and paying bills, and writing checks. Students practice in a sample company file, and instructors work with them to make sure they avoid common mistakes. The Digital Workshop Center was established in 2006, and offers a variety of tech-related classes.
Digital Workshop Center also offers a class called Bookkeeping Fundamentals. This class meets three times, and tuition is $1,406. Students who take this class learn about bookkeeping practices including creating accounts, preparing statements, and dealing with debits and credits. At the end of the class, they should understand account classifications, the fundamentals of credits and debits, and how to analyze common business transactions. They should also be able to record transactions in the journal and post them to the ledger, prepare financial statements, and conduct professional financial analyses. Students who want to take this course should have basic digital literacy and access to QuickBooks. Some knowledge of accounting vocabulary is helpful, but not required.
Another training option is at ONLC Training Centers, which is an IT training school that was founded in 1983. QuickBooks Online QuickStart Course is a one-day ONLC course that costs $395. It covers QuickBooks basics, and is designed for beginners. Specific skills covered include setting up a new company file, working with customers, working with vendors, entering transactions, and working with bank accounts. Students who plan to take this course should have a basic understanding of accounting.
Discovery Center also runs a short live online QuickBooks class for beginners. QuickBooks (Online) is a two-and-a-half-hour class that costs $75. There is also a $15 materials fee. The class is conducted via Zoom. Participants learn about the architecture and navigation of QuickBooks, and will practice using its different functions. They will process business transactions and create reports. Instructors also compare the features and costs of each available QuickBooks version.
Chicago Industries That Use QuickBooks
Chicago is a major financial hub, with hundreds of national and international companies. In 2023, this city made it into the list of top ten global financial centers, which is compiled yearly by the Z/Yen Partners in collaboration with the China Development Institute. This means that you’ll find a wide variety of finance-related jobs in Chicago, including jobs that require knowledge of QuickBooks. Some jobs where employees often use QuickBooks include analyst positions like Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, and Budget Analyst. Many Accountants also rely on QuickBooks.
QuickBooks Jobs & Salaries in Chicago
QuickBooks is used in many finance-related jobs. According to a recent Forbes Advisor article, finance is a smart career choice for a number of reasons. The author notes, “Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects and analyzes information about the U.S. job market. It makes projections for job growth in a variety of different occupations. BLS finds that in the next ten years, employment of Financial Analysts will grow by 8 percent, Budget Analysts 3 percent, and Accountants and Auditors 4 percent. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent. BLS also reports that Chicago ranks second on a list of metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for Financial and Investment Analysts, and fourth for Accountants and Auditors. According to Glassdoor, a Financial Analyst in Chicago earns more than $85,000 per year, a Budget Analyst about $80,000, and an Accountant close to $70,000.
