October 20, 2025 | Alberta

If you want a career in accounting, bookkeeping, or payroll, you have probably asked yourself: how do I learn QuickBooks? The reality is simple. QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software in Canada for small and medium sized businesses. Employers expect you to know it. Business owners rely on it to stay organized. And if you master it, you will immediately become more valuable in the job market. 
 

The good news is that learning QuickBooks is very achievable, even if you are a beginner. You just need a clear, step-by-step plan. In this guide, you will learn what QuickBooks is, why it matters, exactly how to learn it, how long it takes, and why CDI College offers one of the smartest paths to mastering it and building a stable career. 
 

Let’s get started. 

What Is QuickBooks? 

QuickBooks is accounting and bookkeeping software created by Intuit. It helps individuals and businesses manage their finances without needing deep accounting knowledge. With QuickBooks, you can: 

• Track income and expenses 
• Create and send invoices 
• Record bills and vendor payments 
• Manage customers and suppliers 
• Reconcile bank accounts 
• Process payroll 
• Generate financial statements 
• Prepare for tax season 

There are two main versions: 
 

• QuickBooks Online (cloud based, most popular today) 
• QuickBooks Desktop (installed software, often used by accounting firms) 

 
QuickBooks simplifies complex financial tasks and keeps business records accurate and organized. 
 

Bonus Read: What Is a Payroll Compliance Practitioner? 
 

Why Learn QuickBooks? 

Learning QuickBooks is one of the fastest ways to boost your career. Here is why: 

1. It is the industry standard 

Most Canadian businesses use QuickBooks. If you know it, you are more employable. 

2. It opens multiple career paths 

You can work as: 
 

• Bookkeeping Assistant 
• Payroll Administrator 
• Accounting Clerk 
• Office Administrator 
• Freelance Bookkeeper 
• Small Business Consultant 
   

3. It makes your resume stronger 

Employers prefer candidates who already know the tools used in real workplaces. 

4. It helps you understand real business operations 

QuickBooks teaches you how money moves in a company, not just how to press buttons. 

5. It allows remote and flexible work 

Many QuickBooks users work from home or offer freelance bookkeeping services. 
 

How Do I Learn QuickBooks: Step by Step Guide 

Here is a simple five step path to go from beginner to confident user. 

Step 1: Choose the Right Version of QuickBooks 

Start with QuickBooks Online. 
 

Why? 
 

• Easier to learn 
• Cloud based and always updated 
• Most used by employers today 
   

Once you are comfortable, you can explore QuickBooks Desktop if needed for specific roles. 

Step 2: Learn the Accounting Basics (Even Just a Little) 

QuickBooks is a tool. To use it properly, you need to understand what you are tracking. 

Learn the basics of: 
 

• Income vs expenses 
• Invoices and bills 
• Assets and liabilities 
• Bank reconciliation 
• Payroll concepts 
  ​​​​​​​

You do not need to be an accountant. A foundational understanding is enough. This is one reason why formal Accounting and Payroll ltraining programs like CDI College are so effective. They teach accounting principles and QuickBooks side by side. 

Step 3: Get Hands on with QuickBooks (Not Just Watching Videos) 

Watching tutorials is helpful, but real learning happens when you start clicking and practicing. Here are three easy ways to get hands on: 

1. QuickBooks Online Test Drive (free, no signup needed) 
Explore a sample company and try features with zero risk. 
 

2. 30 Day Free Trial 
Create your own setup using real or mock business data. 
 

3. Real or simulated projects 
Enter invoices, track expenses, run payroll and generate reports. Practicing real tasks builds confidence and job-reading skills. 

Step 4: Take a Structured Course for Deeper Skills 

Free tutorials are a good start, but if you want to get hired, structured training is the smartest path. 

Here are your options: 
 

• Self-paced online courses (Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, etc.) 
   

Good for basics but limited interaction and real-world depth. 
 

• Instructor led classes 
   

Better support, but often more expensive. 
 

• College diploma programs (best for careers) 
   

CDI College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration Diploma teaches: 
 

• Accounting fundamentals 
• QuickBooks hands on training 
• Payroll processing (manual and computerized) 
• Canadian tax and compliance rules 
• Real life business scenarios 
• Resume and job preparation 
  ​​​​​​​

A college program develops true professional skills, not just software knowledge. 

Step 5: Get Certified (Optional but Powerful) 

Certification is not required, but it can boost your credibility and help you stand out to employers or freelance clients. 

Two common options: 
 

• QuickBooks ProAdvisor (offered by Intuit, free) 
   

Includes training and a certification exam. 
 

• QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) 
   

Recognized credential for entry level professionals. 
 

Bonus Read: Difference Between Payroll and Accounting? 
 

How Long Does It Take to Learn QuickBooks? 
 

It depends on your goal. Here is a realistic timeline: 
 

With a structured diploma program, you can go from beginner to job ready in under a year. 

Why CDI College Is the Smartest Way to Learn QuickBooks 

You can try to learn QuickBooks on your own, but if your goal is employment, career growth or freelancing income, formal training gives you a major advantage. Here is why CDI College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration Diploma stands out. 
 

1. You learn QuickBooks, accounting and payroll together 

QuickBooks alone is useful. QuickBooks plus payroll and accounting knowledge makes you highly employable. 
 

2. Hands on practice with real business scenarios 

You do not just watch. You perform the tasks companies use invoicing, expenses, reconciliation, payroll, and reporting. 
 

3. Industry experienced instructors 

You learn from professionals who understand the real world. 
 

4. Certification support 

The program prepares you for QuickBooks and payroll certifications. 
 

5. Career services and job support 

You get help with resumes, interviews, and employer connections. 
 

6. Fast path to a stable career 

You do not need a four-year degree. You can be ready for the job in about one year or less. 

Final Thoughts 

So, how do I learn QuickBooks? You follow a clear path: 
 

• Choose the right version 
• Learn basic accounting 
• Practice using the software 
• Take structured training 
• Get certified if you want to stand out 
  ​​​​​​​

You can try to piece everything together on your own, but the most effective and career focused way is to learn QuickBooks through a diploma program that also teaches accounting, payroll and hands on skills. 
 

CDI College’s Accounting and Payroll Administration Diploma does exactly that. It gives you QuickBooks mastery, solid accounting knowledge, payroll expertise and real world training that employers trust. 
 

If you are ready to build a stable, in demand and rewarding career, this program is one of the smartest decisions you can make. 
 

QuickBooks is a tool. CDI College is the launchpad.