In today’s accounting landscape, employee retention and productivity are critical to success, especially in the Client Accounting Services (CAS) sector and for bookkeepers using QuickBooks Online. One key factor that can directly influence these outcomes is proper training. Effective training
Training
not only equips your team and clients with necessary skills but also fosters personal growth, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention.
Why Training Matters for Your Team
Training plays a vital role in reducing turnover, a chronic issue for accounting firms and small businesses. By offering continuous training, firms show employees that they are valued and that their growth is a priority. Not only does this encourage personal satisfaction, but it also makes employees more efficient. For example, untrained employees can take up to six times longer to finish tasks as they work by trial-and-error, and researching their steps. Increased efficiency directly reduces burnout and improves work-life balance, two key drivers of retention.
Moreover, well-trained employees are equipped to supervise new hires and take on more complex responsibilities, opening up pathways for advancement. Tying certification programs to salary increases motivation, while the sense of accomplishment from learning something new boosts morale and overall job satisfaction.
Adult learners typically bring life experience to the table, and are driven by specific, practical goals. They need to see immediate relevance in what they're learning. For example, when learning QuickBooks, the abstract concepts of accounting are much easier to grasp when applied to their actual business or bookkeeping tasks. Experiential learning—where learners engage in hands-on practice and solve problems in real-time—promotes deeper understanding and retention.
Because QuickBooks typically isn’t taught in schools, most users have to figure out how to use it on the fly. They’re learning by doing…which also means trial by fire. I have come to realize that most people who complain about QBO on social media are self-taught…and missing essential bits of information, like opening multiple screens in several Chrome tabs, and tearing them off to see their information side-by-side. As a professional trainer, those aha moments are what keep me going. I’ve turned literally hundreds of frustrated bookkeepers into QBO lovers.
Learning Styles and Options
There are several different ways to learn QuickBooks Online, catering to different learning styles. Some people prefer self-paced, on-demand learning that allows them to pause, rewind, and review at their convenience. Others benefit from live classes with an instructor guiding them through processes step-by-step.
For visual learners, online tutorials and video courses can be incredibly helpful. These learners process information more effectively when they can see the instructor perform tasks on the screen. Meanwhile, auditory learners may find value in webinars where they can listen to an expert explain the nuances of QuickBooks Online, allowing them to follow along in real time.
Kinesthetic learners—those who need to “do” in order to learn—are particularly well-suited to interactive courses where they can practice bookkeeping tasks directly in QuickBooks. Research shows that hands-on learning increases knowledge retention by reinforcing neural pathways.
For firms, combining these learning styles in training materials—such as handouts, video tutorials, and interactive workshops—can help employees and clients retain information more effectively. This approach ensures that no one is left behind, regardless of how they best absorb information.
Where to Learn QuickBooks
Many firms create their own materials to address specific business needs. This include written guides with step-by-step instructions using scribehow.com, and instructional videos recorded over Zoom or Loom.
At Royalwise, we even create personalized tutorials for our clients and store them in their portal. The key is to make these materials relevant to the client’s actual QuickBooks setup, ensuring that the training content is directly applicable to their day-to-day operations.
But training doesn’t need to be developed from scratch. In fact, in most cases it shouldn’t be. Leveraging existing resources means not recreating the wheel.
Intuit offers a variety of free training materials through its the Benefits section of the ProAdvisor program. These resources cover everything from getting started with QuickBooks to more advanced topics like reporting. Firms can use these materials to build a foundational understanding for clients and employees. However, while these resources are excellent for learning the basics and passing certification, they often lack the depth needed for more advanced tasks.
YouTube how-to videos are most people’s resource, since they show up first in google search results. Hector Garcia, for example, provides free detailed walkthroughs of basic functions through advanced reporting (https://www.youtube.com/@HectorGarciaCPA).
Paid online courses are a practical option: Some websites specialize in offering detailed QuickBooks training, providing downloadable resources and quizzes to test your understanding. Royalwise.com, for example, provides outsourced training to accounting firms with over 50 QBO and QBDT courses including NASBA CPE (learn.royalwise.com).
Insightful Accountant offers its "Be Insightful" premium content and training program which has a year-round 9 track training program that offers a wide variety of concentrated classes designed to help you improve all aspects of your firm.
And don’t overlook in-person Classes. Local community colleges and small business development centers offer QuickBooks courses.
A Time-sensitive Hands-On Opportunity
If you're looking for an immersive, hands-on learning experience, consider my upcoming 8-week QuickBooks Online class from Nov 3 to Dec 30. This course is designed to cater to all learning styles and includes live instruction, practical step-by-step exercises, and access to a community of fellow learners. Learners will build an entire company from scratch including A/R, A/P, Banking, Reports, Projects, Inventory, Year-end close…and even setting up and running QBO Payroll.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone with experience looking to sharpen your skills, this class will provide the personalized attention you need to confidently manage the books for several types of businesses. Check it out HERE and enroll soon, since it starts in just a few weeks.
Conclusion
Investing in training is essential for both employee retention and client success. Whether it’s helping bookkeepers master QuickBooks Online through hands-on learning or offering customized training materials for clients, a well-thought-out training program pays dividends in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction.
By leveraging existing resources, catering to different learning styles, and investing in both team and client development, firms can increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and create stronger, more collaborative relationships with clients. Whether you’re a firm looking to improve your CAS team’s capabilities or a business owner wanting to help your bookkeeper succeed, ongoing training should be a top priority.