Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum

[LindaD]

What is the difference between these two certifications? If they are not the same, what are the benefits of each and is one preferable over the other?

Thanks in advance....

[David]

LindaD,

The PB (certified professional bookkeeper) issued by Universal Accounting Center (UAC)- Trains on small business bookkeeping, marketing and how to start a business. Comes with a guarantee.

The CB (certified bookkeeper) is issued by AIPB teaches bookkeeping.

The CPB (certified public bookkeeper) is issued by NACPB.

As has been noted I am a moderator of the ''marketing posts'' of this forum. I am an employee of Universal Accounting as a marketing coach / seminar presenter and I own my own bookkeeping and accounting practice.

[Richard Noot]

David wrote: LindaD,

The PB (certified professional bookkeeper) issued by Universal Accounting Center (UAC)- Trains on small business bookkeeping, marketing and how to start a business. Comes with a guarantee.

The CB (certified bookkeeper) is issued by AIPB teaches bookkeeping.

The CPB (certified public bookkeeper) issued by NACPB is brand new and has been in business less than two years. This is a one man shop also based out of Utah (Like UAC) .... but only offers re branded Intuit training material. If I may clarify. AIPB does offer certification and does offer SOME limited bookkeeping training. Like David says NACPB is basically a one man operation based just outside Salt lake city. Membership is $199.00 per year and certifications will cost you just under $600.00 as well as a fee to have the final exam graded. In addition there are continuing education requirements that need to be taken every year at an additional cost. I can only speak on my experience: Despite numerous attempts to get my promised FREE website set up I eventually set it up elsewhere. I also have been attempting to get a refund for software that was returned under their 30 day money back guarantee since last December. In addition numerous emails I have sent to their office have gone unanswered. My advice is take the professional bookkeeper class from Universal and if you feel the need to get additional certification go with AIPB. Again as a member of all three organizations I am only expressing my personal opinion.

[DavidB]

My name is David Bybee. I am a CPA and the President and CEO of NACPB. The question asked by LindaD is a good one "What is the difference between these two certifications [AIPB vs NACPB]? If they are not the same, what are the benefits of each and is one preferable over the other?"

The Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license serves to protect the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals become licensed. The CPB license provides assurance to small business and nonprofit owners and employees that CPBs are trusted and competent professional bookkeepers.

My response to Mr. Noot is as follows:

1. NACPB is not "...basically a one man operation...", but has 12 full-time employees.
2. Our Certified Bookkeeper program fee includes 3 training manuals, the 3 part Uniform CPB Examination, and Exam retakes for $199 for NACPB members and $299 for nonmembers and there is no “…fee to have the final exam graded.”
3. Mr. Noot is correct in that our Certified Public Bookkeepers (CPB) are required to obtain 24 hours of CPE annually. However, the CPE can be obtained from any organization providing bookkeeping CPE.
4. I’m not sure what Mr. Noot is talking about when he states “Despite numerous attempts to get my promised FREE website set up I eventually set it up elsewhere.” To the best of my knowledge Mr. Noot never completed our Website Information Form which is the Form we use to create our members free website.
5. Mr. Noot purchased several of our training guides and after 18 months, he requested a full refund. We denied his refund because although we do offer and honor a 30 day money back guarantee, we thought 18 months was a little excessive. Mr. Noot did purchase QuickBooks training DVDs from us, but we have no record of receiving any software return from him.
6. Mr. Noot is correct in that we no longer answer his emails because his original emails have already been answered regarding our refusal to refund payment for training guides purchased 18 months earlier and for software he claims, but cannot support, has been returned to us.

If you have questions about NACPB, please contact us.

[Richard Noot]

6. Mr. Noot is correct in that we no longer answer his emails because his original emails have already been answered regarding our refusal to refund payment for training guides purchased 18 months earlier and for software he claims, but cannot support, has been returned to us.
1. Again, I am only speaking from my experience. The only one that I have been able to speak to or get a response from email is Mr Bybee or his wife Doneen.
2. There are now different options in getting certified. At the time I signed up the cost was as I stated.
3.Yes there are other options for cpe other than NACPB. However the options must be approved by NACPB and must be specific to license. Only accounting or bookkeeping courses can be taken for the bookkeeper certification and only payroll courses can be taken for the payroll certification. It has been my experience that NACPB is the least costly alternative, but keep in mind it is a costly alternative.
4.NACPB was given the code so that I could transfer my website to the organization. After finally getting the website setup, I found it next to impossible to get any needed updates or corrections taken care of.
5.The request for credit Mr Bybee mentions was NOT as he stated a request for FULL credit but a request for credit on a order that was cancelled before NACPB shipped it out. Mr Bybee claims that my emails go unanswered because of this issue. This is NOT a true statement. My emails had nothing to do with this issue. In fact, I did receive a refund from NACPB for this cancellation, 18 months after the fact just last month.
6.The emails that Mr Bybee references were not in regard to the above but were for a different issue. NACPB discounts the courses offered by Real World Training so I ordered QB cds for a client. The cds were delivered in an untimely manner so my client did not want them anymore. The package was returned to NACPB within the 30 day money back guarantee. Mr Bybee requested that I send him proof of return which I did. (Receipt showing the return address and date of delivery along with the tracking number) The response that I then recvd from NACPB was I needed to show that the package was signed for by NACPB.

[DavidB]

1. That is because all refund requests are approved by our Office Manager Deneen or President David.
2. Incorrect. The NACPB Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) has never cost $600. You are welcome to fax me an invoice stating you paid $600 for our CPB program.
3. Incorrect. Our licensed CPBs, Certified QuickBooks Advisors (CQA), and Certified Payroll Specialists (CPS) do not have to obtain NACPB CPE approval. CPBs, CQAs, and CPSs only have to report their annual CPE on our CPE Reporting Form. Yes, CPBs, CQAs, and CPSs CPE must be bookkeeping, QuickBooks, and payroll related, respectively, but doesn’t that make since? Our CPE is $25 per course for NACPB members. That’s a “costly” alternative?
4. You stated “Despite numerous attempts to get my promised FREE website set up I eventually set it up elsewhere.” Now you state that your website was setup. All NACPB member website changes are generally made within 24 hours. We support over 200 websites and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who has not been well served.
5. The order was shipped out and never cancelled. Can you support your cancellation? Why did it take you 18 months to make your request? Your request came 18 months later and I have documentation to prove it. Once you tried to get a refund on products we shipped to you 18 months earlier and were denied, you kept coming back regarding the same issue. Therefore, I refused to correspond with you. You know full well that prior to this, you emailed or called us MANY times and I always responded to your emails and took your calls.
6. Yes, we offer QuickBooks training provided by Real World Training. The reason we asked for a signed receipt of your “return” is because we have no record that you returned them. We have no problem refunding Real World Training returns because we just return them and receive our refund from Real World.

[pkingman]

May I add my two cents here? I started my public bookkeeping business about a month ago and have been studying every resource I can find to help me succeed. I came across this post and wanted to voice my experience with NACPB.

I joined NACPB a few weeks back and I can honestly tell you the wealth of bookkeeping business resources NACPB provides is unbelievable. I'm sorry that Richard had a bad experience, but it is totally contrary to my experience joining and working with them. If you want valuable resources to help you build a bookkeeping business, check out NACPB. I have nothing but praise for the association.

Peter Kingman
Member: NACPB

[SB Bookkeeper]

I was a member of NACPB when they first started. My experience was more along the lines of Richard Noot. Lots of smoke but no fire with NACPB.

MKingman, You found a wealth of knowledge and experience in just a few weeks? Good for you, wish I had.

But my experience was not good and not much in value.

[cathysbooks]

I joined NACPB in January. I have had the same experience as Peter. I just can't see how anyone could state what Richard and SB Bookkeeper have. In fact today NACPB provided members three free Form 1040, 1065, and 1120S Tax Preparation Guides for only the cost of shipping ($9.95). The guides include supporting checklists, worksheets, forms, and illustrations. I have their bookkeeping and accounting guides and they are excellent! I also returned from NACPB's Bookkeeping Business Conference in Las Vegas last week. It was FANTASTIC! I have experienced other companies and associations that provide value, but don't provide near the value I receive with NACPB.

I noted SB Bookkeeper stated he/she joined when NACPB first started. I believe that was 4 or so years ago. You may want revisit NACPB.

Cathy Hernandez, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: NACPB

[bookkeepingbymelissa]

Hi All,

I'm with Peter and Cathy. I joined NACPB around the first of the year when I started my public bookkeeping practice. I received my Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license about one month later. I can tell you that the $199 membership fee and the $299 CPB license program are some of the best investments I have ever made. I refer to my membership and credential as "the gifts that keep on giving".

Richard and SB Bookkeeper. Are you sure we're talking about the same organization. Your comments just don't compute.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers

[Richard Noot]

bookkeepingbymelissa wrote: Hi All,

I'm with Peter and Cathy. I joined NACPB around the first of the year when I started my public bookkeeping practice. I received my Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) license about one month later. I can tell you that the $199 membership fee and the $299 CPB license program are some of the best investments I have ever made. I refer to my membership and credential as "the gifts that keep on giving".

Richard and SB Bookkeeper. Are you sure we're talking about the same organization. Your comments just don't compute.

Melissa Smith, CPB
Certified Public Bookkeeper
Member: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers LET US FINALLY PUT THIS TO REST. Like I posted this was my personal experience. I first joined NACPB because of the discounts that they offered on Real World Training and I used some of their guidebooks for training. When I first joined NACPB their support was lacking. Also although their website states that they have a 30 day money back guarantee the do NOT tell you that if you do return an item that you must have the return signed for. That probably has changed by now. Each of us has to decide whether or not the price of their product and services is cost effective.

[DavidB]

Richard,

Once again you are incorrect. We have never required that when you "...return an item that you must have the return signed for." What I stated is that we have no record of you returning an item.

The truth of the matter is that even without a record of your returning an item I would have approved your refund. That's just the way we do business. We give our members the benefit of the doubt. However, since you had also previously requested a refund on guidebooks you purchased 18 months earlier, your credibility with us was lacking.

You also continue to confound me. When you first joined NACPB I spent a considerable amount of time responding to your many emails and phone calls. How you can make a statement like "When I first joined NACPB their support was lacking." is absolutely mind blowing.

David B. Bybee, CPA
President and CEO
NACPB

[pkingman]

Good Morning SB Bookkeeper,

You asked: MKingman, You found a wealth of knowledge and experience in just a few weeks?

I would like to respond to your post.

I joined NACPB on June 2. Within minutes I received my "New NACPB Professional Bookkeeper Member Welcome" email which gave me access to the Members Only section of their website. I logged in and completed my "Professional Profile" to become listed in their national directories. I submitted my "Website Information Form" to have them develop my website. I then downloaded and personalized many of their public bookkeeping letters, checklists, etc. And that was just the first few hours of my membership.

On June 9, I received and have been perusing the free NACPB 10 best selling bookkeeping and accounting guidebooks that came with my membership. These guides are quite impressive. They not only provide you technical public bookkeeping and accounting information, but they also provide you with step-by-step direction on how to build and manage a public bookkeeping practice. Complete with sample letters, checklists, and templates.

I'm now studying to pass the "Uniform CPB Examination". With my years of experience as a full-charge bookkeeper, I thought I knew full-charge bookkeeping. But, the Exam preparation guides have filled in many of the blanks and are giving me a new spectrum on the bookkeeping cycle. Not to mention the difference between "bookkeeping" and "public bookkeeping".

I could go on, but I wanted you to see why I am taking the time to reply. In my experience, NACPB has saved me so much time and money developing my public bookkeeping knowledge and business. The member fee is a "no-brainer".

So, yes I have found a wealth of knowledge and resources in just a few weeks.

Peter Kingman
Member: NACPB

[stasia2003]

Uh, this whole thread is suspect to me. I find it strange that after NACPB and Richard exchange words, here comes these "testimonials" afterwards from NACPB satisfied customers. And they are new posters. Seems strange...

This is the UAC board and I don't care to hear NACPB "testimonials" fake or otherwise on this board, although it is a public board. It just seems cheesy.

Okay, just my two cents. :wink: