Self-taught bookkeepers use a variety of courses, seminars, books, and other online resources to learn about bookkeeping and accounting. You can also learn how to use accounting software, like QuickBooks, which can teach you about the basics of bookkeeping as well as the technology used by many businesses.

To learn these skills and others, new bookkeepers often receive around six months of on-the-job training to learn how to use bookkeeping software, databases, and spreadsheets. Though bookkeepers don't need to hold college degrees, some may see their salaries increase after completing an undergraduate degree.

Doing your own bookkeeping can be manageable if your startup has a simple business model and only a small number of customers.