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Office · Indianapolis, IN

How to become a bookkeeper in Indianapolis

$17–$24/hr in Indianapolis Free guide — no signup required
Why this pathEvery small business needs someone to track money in and out. No degree or license is required — strong QuickBooks skills and attention to detail are enough to start, and the work can grow into a flexible independent business.

Common starting roles

Accounting ClerkAP/AR ClerkBookkeeperPayroll Clerk

Step-by-step roadmap

1

Learn bookkeeping fundamentals

Understand debits/credits, invoices, accounts payable/receivable, and reconciling a bank statement. Free and low-cost courses cover the basics quickly. Ivy Tech offers accounting coursework if you want structure.

⏱ 1–3 months💲 Free–$1,000
↗ Ivy Tech — Accounting — Certificate and degree options; financial aid available.
2

Master QuickBooks (the industry standard)

Most small businesses run on QuickBooks. Intuit offers free training and a free QuickBooks Online Certification that looks great to employers.

⏱ 2–6 weeks💲 Free training
↗ Intuit QuickBooks Training & Certification — Free official QuickBooks training and certification.
3
Optional

Optional: Earn a professional certification

The AIPB Certified Bookkeeper or NACPB Certified Bookkeeper credential builds trust with employers and clients. Helpful but not required to get hired.

⏱ A few months💲 ~$400–$600
↗ American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) — Certified Bookkeeper designation.↗ NACPB — Bookkeeper certification and licensing options.
4

Apply for clerk and bookkeeping roles

Small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits, and staffing agencies (Robert Half, Accountemps) place bookkeepers and AP/AR clerks throughout Indianapolis.

⏱ Ongoing💲 Free
5
Optional

Optional: Go independent / start a bookkeeping business

Experienced bookkeepers can take on multiple small-business clients remotely, setting their own rates and schedule.

⏱ After experience💲 Low startup
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk make in Indianapolis?

$17–$24/hr in Indianapolis. Every small business needs someone to track money in and out. No degree or license is required — strong QuickBooks skills and attention to detail are enough to start, and the work can grow into a flexible independent business.

How much does it cost to become a Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk?

Most of this path is paid or low-cost — many Indianapolis employers cover training, and Indiana WorkOne grants may cover the rest for eligible Hoosiers.

How long does it take?

Learn bookkeeping fundamentals (1–3 months); Master QuickBooks (the industry standard) (2–6 weeks); Apply for clerk and bookkeeping roles (Ongoing).

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Requirements verified against official Indiana and federal sources (Indiana Dept of Health, FMCSA, Indiana BMV, Indianapolis DBNS). Last reviewed May 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.