Certification Options for ProAdvisors

QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0 Certification

Certification Benefits

When you sign up to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor®, you're automatically enrolled in the QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) Certification course. QuickBooks POS Certification provides you with training and marketing tools to distinguish yourself, expand your business, and offer a higher level of QuickBooks POS expertise to retail businesses.

Why Certify in QuickBooks Point of Sale?

Help retailers run a more successful business while expanding your client base by supporting clients who use QuickBooks POS. With over 80,000 independent retailers on QuickBooks POS and 2 million small retail businesses, becoming an expert with QuickBooks POS can be a great career move.

Generate incremental revenue by offering the local QuickBooks POS installation, setup, and training help that many retailers look for.

Attract new clients by getting listed on QuickBooks.com in the QuickBooks Find-a-ProAdvisor Web site where retailers look for local QuickBooks experts.

• Upon certification, you'll earn a version-specific logo in your profile on the Find-a-ProAdvisor Web site, which increases your exposure to potential new clients. Additionally, uncertified colleagues can engage you to help set-up their clients on QuickBooks POS.
• Once your certification is complete, you can use the Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor logo on your business cards, advertisements, Web site, and other marketing material.

Confidently help retailers set up their QuickBooks POS

It's important to set up Point of Sale correctly, especially when multiple stores are involved. Providing a proper introduction to QuickBooks POS software for a local business ensures a smooth transition and makes you an indispensable consultant. More satisfied clients are likely to engage you for other services and recommend your services to others.

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Course Details

Course Content and Learning Objectives

QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification offers a dynamic and flexible learning experience. You'll have access to a variety of curriculum, including: several live online webinars led by expert Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisors; a series of recorded webinars that can be reviewed on your own schedule; and learning guides that supplement these online courses. The live and recorded webinars, learning guides, and reference materials are designed to fully educate you about QuickBooks POS and prepare you for the certification exam.

Topics covered include:

• Set up QuickBooks POS software
• Enter inventory items, quantities, and costs
• Record sales and returns
• Run sales reports
• Reconcile the cash drawer
• Exchange data between QuickBooks POS and QuickBooks Financial Software
• Configure QuickBooks POS Pro Multi-Store to manage up to ten stores, including such tasks as transferring merchandise, sharing and consolidating information, and running company-wide reports

As in prior years, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor® becomes certified in QuickBooks POS by successfully completing an online exam of 60 questions. A passing score of at least 85% is needed.

Please note that none of the training materials or live or recorded webinars are required for certification. These are only recommended methods for preparing for the certification exam. Only a passing score on the certification exam is required to complete POS Certification.

NOTE: No CPE credits
Because QuickBooks POS Certification includes an open-book exam, it does not allow eligibility for CPE credits.

Level of Knowledge and Prerequisites

This online, self-study certification course is for accounting and technology professionals who are already familiar with QuickBooks financial software, and plan to provide on-site QuickBooks POS set-up or training services to their clients. In order to become a Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor, you must first become a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Ask us about becoming a Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor. Call 1-888-250-7279.

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Getting Started

POS 6.0 Certification

Thank you for your interest in becoming Certified in QuickBooks® Point of Sale (POS). The information for QuickBooks POS 6.0 certification is available below.

Intuit offers exciting ways to learn about QuickBooks Point of Sale. Sessions include: several live, interactive Web-based seminars, called webinars, led by instructors who are seasoned Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisors; recorded webinars that can be referenced and reviewed on your own schedule; and a learning guide that supplements these online courses.

The information indicates each of the training opportunities designed to help you become Certified in QuickBooks POS.

Suggested Learning Schedule

Step 1: Access QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0 software Step 2: Download and print the reference materials Step 3: Review the Introduction to QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification Document Step 4: Attend POS 6.0 Overview live webinar Step 5: Review any of the nine recorded webinars and print learning guides, as needed Step 6: Attend POS 6.0 Employees, Security, and Wrap Up webinar Step 7: Complete POS 6.0 Certification Exam

WebEx Player Download the WebEx player in order to view the webinars on this page. (2.1M, approximately 6 minute download on a 56k modem).

If you need help throughout the certification process, you can contact QuickBooks ProAdvisor Customer Service at 1-888-250-7279 or send an e-mail to proadvisors@intuit.com. You can also find answers to many of your questions in the POS Certification Frequently Asked Questions.

The live and recorded webinars, learning guides and reference materials are designed to fully educate you about POS 6.0 and prepare you for certification, but are not required for you to take the exam. If you do decide to use the materials, please note that they have been developed to be taken in a specific order to provide the best learning experience:

Step 1: Install QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0 Software

There are several ways you can access QuickBooks Point of Sale software:

1. Access QuickBooks Point of Sale web-based demo version. This is a full working version of QuickBooks Point of Sale.
2. Use the QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0 30 day trial CD included in your ProAdvisor Member Kit
3. Purchase a license of QuickBooks Point of Sale as part of the $99 "a la carte" menu item exclusive to ProAdvisors. Must be purchased within 30 days of your ProAdvisor membership or renewal. Call 1-888-250-7279 for more details.

We highly recommend you install QuickBooks POS software before beginning the training process.

Step 2 : Download and Print Reference Materials

In addition to the learning guides mentioned below, there are three reference documents that may be of assistance as you learn about QuickBooks POS 6.0. We recommend you download, print, and review these materials before attending your QuickBooks POS 6.0 training. To download these items to your hard drive, right click on the links below, then choose Save Target As from the pop-up menu. In the Save As dialog box, select a location on your hard drive, and then click Save.

QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0 Certification Learning Guide (PDF, 3.6MB)
You can download individual lessons using the links provided below, or you can download the entire guide, including the table of contents and an index, using this link.

POS 6.0 QuickStart Guide (PDF, 3.5MB)
This document provides instructions for installing the POS system, including Preparing for Installation, Installing the System, Setting Up QuickBooks, Installing Client Workstations, and Configuring Multiple Stores.

POS 6.0 User Guide (PDF, 9.3MB)
This is a comprehensive guide to using the features of the program to complete daily tasks. This guide does not contain installation or information.

You must have Adobe® Reader® to view the PDF files.

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Step 3: Review the Introduction to QuickBooks POS 6.0 Certification Document

This document walks you through the certification process from beginning to end. It covers:

• An overview to QuickBooks POS 6.0 Certification
• How to register for a live session
• How to play a recorded session
• How to take the exam

Review the document: Introduction to QuickBooks Point of Sale Version 6 Certification (PDF, 73K)

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Step 4: Attend POS 6.0 Overview Live Webinar

This live 1.5-hour webinar will provide you with a basic overview of QuickBooks POS 6.0, and the opportunity to discuss questions that arise throughout the process. Topics include:

• POS Workflow
• Hardware Requirements/Installation
• POS Reporting Introduction
• Questions and Answers

Download Learning Guide: POS Overview (PDF, 622K)

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Step 5: Review any of the Nine Recorded Webinars and Print Learning Guides, as Needed

We've recorded nine webinars to help provide detailed information about the Point of Sale system for QuickBooks ProAdvisors. You can view these webinars in any order, and pause and rewind as needed. There is a Learning Guide lesson to go along with each of the topics of the recorded sessions. Remember to write down any questions you have while taking these courses for discussion in the live sessions.

The recorded courses and learning guides are now available. Please note, you must download a WebEx player in order to view the webinars on this page. (2.1M, approximately 6 minute download on a 56k modem).

What's New in QuickBooks POS Version 6.0 (62 minutes)
This session reviews the new and enhanced features in Version 6.0.
This course is taught by Leslie Capachietti, Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor.

View Recorded Webinar: What's New in QuickBooks Point of Sale Version 6.0 (17 M)

Installation and Set-Up (98 minutes)
This lesson covers QuickBooks POS terminology, installation procedures, the Setup Interview, and company/workstation preferences. This course is taught by Leslie Capachietti, Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor.

View Recorded Webinar: Installation and Set-up (14.7M)
Download Learning Guide: Installation and Set-Up (PDF, 262K)

Departments and Vendors
Learning guide content only for this lesson. This lesson covers departments and vendors. You will learn how using departments can help you set up pricing and organize reports. You will also discover how to manage vendor records, track vendor history, and store information about vendor terms.

Download Learning Guide: Departments and Vendors (PDF, 216K)

Inventory (46 minutes)
Inventory is the heart of the Point of Sale system. This lesson covers entering inventory, setting prices and different price levels, tracking costs, printing price tags, preparing for a physical inventory, setting reorder points, using decimal quantities and using style grids. Marilyn Sudbeck is your instructor.

View Recorded Webinar: Setting Up Inventory (10.2M)
Download Learning Guide: Setting Up Inventory (PDF, 488K)

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Maintaining Inventory (38 minutes)
This lesson covers how to record the purchase and receipt of merchandise in QuickBooks. This course is taught by Marilyn Sudbeck.

View Recorded Webinar: Maintaining Inventory (10.2M)
Download Learning Guide: Maintaining Inventory (PDF, 360K)

Customer Information
Learning guide content only for this lesson. QuickBooks POS can store and track a great deal of information for retailers. In this lesson, you'll learn about building and maintaining customer sales histories, offering store charge accounts, managing customer relationships, and how retailers can use this information in their marketing efforts.

Download Learning Guide: Customer Information (PDF, 193K)

Daily Point of Sale Operations (35 minutes)
In this lesson, you'll see how to complete a sales receipt, give discounts at the time of sale, change a tax code at the time of sale, record payments by cash, check, credit cards, and gift certificates. You'll also find out how to handle returns, look up a sales history, and record serial numbers. This course is taught by Marilyn Sudbeck.

View Recorded Webinar: Daily Point of Sale Operations (6.0M)
Download Learning Guide: Daily Point of Sale Operations (PDF, 644K)

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Running End-of-Day Procedures (20 minutes)
This lesson covers end-of-the-day procedures including sending a credit card batch to merchant services, updating QuickBooks financial software, running X/Z-Out report, and backing up POS data files. This lesson also covers restoring backup files. Marilyn Sudbeck is your instructor.

View Recorded Webinar: Running End-of-Day Procedures (2.5M)
Download Learning Guide: Running End-of-Day Procedures (PDF, 203K)

Running Reports and Customizing QuickBooks Point of Sale (26 minutes)
Learn how to modify reports to select the information you need. The POS reports provide information from accumulated data, offering detailed information to help you manage inventory, analyze sales, reconcile the cash drawer, target customer mailings, evaluate employee performance, and make informed purchase decisions. This course is taught by Marilyn Sudbeck.

View Recorded Webinar: Running Reports and Customizing QuickBooks Point of Sale (5.5M)
Download Learning Guide: Running Reports and Customizing QuickBooks Point of Sale (PDF, 508K)

Working with Multiple Stores (90 minutes)
This lesson introduces you to the unique features of QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro Multi-Store. The topics covered will help you to customize a client's set-up, and train them to manage their daily operations more effectively, using the Multi-Store features to their full advantage. Leslie Capachietti is your instructor.

View Recorded Webinar: Working with Multiple Stores (17M)
Download Learning Guide: Working with Multiple Stores (PDF, 274K)

Exchanging Data with QuickBooks Financial Software (85 minutes)
This lesson covers the POS data exchange with QuickBooks financial software. You'll learn how to map the accounts between the two programs, how to review and edit the imported data, and how the POS data is handled in the financial software. This course is taught by Marilyn Sudbeck.

View Recorded Webinar: Exchanging Data with QuickBooks Financial Software (15M)
Download Learning Guide: Exchanging Data with QuickBooks Financial Software (PDF, 343K)

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Step 6: Attend POS 6.0 Employees, Security, and Wrap-Up Live Webinar

In this 90-minute live webinar, you will learn how to modify reports to get the select information you need. The POS reports provide information from accumulated data, providing detailed information to help you manage inventory, analyze sales, reconcile the cash drawer, target customer mailings, evaluate employee performance, and make informed purchase decisions.

NOTE: This session also provides a question and answer period for any of the recorded courses.

Download Learning Guide: Employees, Security, and Wrap-Up (PDF, 103K)

Step 7: Complete POS 6.0 Certification Exam

(An online test)
As in prior years, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor becomes certified in QuickBooks POS by successfully completing an online exam of 60 questions. A passing score of at least 85% is needed.

The exam is now available in each ProAdvisor's course locker on the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Member Site.

NOTE: Members must have successfully completed QuickBooks Certification in version 2006 or higher to be to be recognized as a Certified QuickBooks POS ProAdvisor and to be listed on the QuickBooks Find-a-ProAdvisor Web site.

Again, this is a recommended learning schedule. Attendance at the webinars is not mandatory. Only the certification exam is required to complete POS 6.0 Certification. You will need to pass the required certification exam with a score of at least 85% to be recognized as Certified in QuickBooks Point of Sale 6.0.

You may sign up for the live webinars mentioned above now. The recorded webinars and learning guides are available now to review at your convenience. The certification exam is now available on the ProAdvisor Member Site.

Important Note: Due to file sizes and response times, a high-speed connection is recommended for all live and recorded Webinars.

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About Our Instructors

Leslie Capachietti is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a QuickBooks Point of Sale ProAdvisor who has been helping small business owners in the Boston, MA area get the most from their QuickBooks software since 1998. Her consulting firm, Automated Financial Solutions specializes in Point of Sale and Integrated Applications for QuickBooks users. She holds an MBA degree in finance and accounting from Boston University.

Marilyn Sudbeck is a CPA who has been using QuickBooks and helping small business clients since 1996. She is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a Certified QuickBooks Point of Sale ProAdvisor. She also teaches QuickBooks classes at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. She has a Bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Nebraska and has a Master's in Advertising Management from the University of Denver. Marilyn currently serves as a committee chairman for the American Society of Women Accountants, as an Ambassador for the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and is a member of Leadership Jefferson County.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some common questions related to the QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification process. If you have additional questions, please contact QuickBooks ProAdvisor Customer Service at 1-888-250-7279 or send an e-mail to proadvisors@intuit.com.

1. How often do I need to recertify in QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification?
2. How much do the QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification courses cost?
3. Will I receive the published QuickBooks Point of Sale Study Guide as in prior years?
4. Why did Intuit change the structure of the QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification program?
5. Do I need to complete all of the courses prior to taking the QuickBooks POS Certification exam?
6. Can I take the courses more than once?
7. Can I take the exam more than once?
8. If I do not receive a passing score on the exam, can I find out which questions were answered incorrectly?
9. Why do I need to be QuickBooks Certified to become Point of Sale Certified?
10. Can I receive CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits for completing the QuickBooks POS Certification?

Q: How often do I need to recertify in QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification?
A: The POS Certification is offered on a two year cycle so you will only need to certify once within a two year cycle.

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Q: How much do the QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification courses cost?
A: All QuickBooks POS Certification courses are included as part of your QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program membership. This includes the live and recorded webinar courses, as well as all learning guides.

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Q: Will I receive the published QuickBooks Point of Sale Study Guide?
A: No. We now offer a blended learning solution of live and recorded online courses webinars as well as learning guides for each course, which are available online in .pdf format.

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Q: Why did Intuit change the structure of the QuickBooks Point of Sale Certification?
A: Our goal is to provide a better learning experience to prepare you for the certification exam by using current online learning technology. This change in format allowed us to engage expert Certified QuickBooks Point of Sale ProAdvisors to instruct the courses and share their real world experiences with QuickBooks Point of Sale to prepare you for the certification exam.

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Q: Do I need to complete all of the courses prior to taking the QuickBooks POS Certification exam?
A: No. The Suggested Learning Schedule is recommended for the most complete learning experience to prepare you for the certification exam, however the courses are not mandatory. For those with existing knowledge and skills with QuickBooks Point of Sale, you may participate in only the courses you feel are necessary to build your knowledge to the level required to become certified.

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Q: Can I take the courses more than once?
A: Yes. You may take the live webinar sessions more than once. Just make sure to register for the course at the desired date and time. Recorded webinars are available to you on a 24/7 basis and may be viewed as often as you like.

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Q: Can I take the exam more than once?
A: Yes. The certification exam is available in your QuickBooks ProAdvisor Course Locker, and you may take it up to 20 times. You must receive a passing score of 85% to become certified.

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Q: If I do not receive a passing score on the exam, can I find out which questions were answered incorrectly?
A: The exam will identify any missed questions after it has been submitted.

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Q: Why do I need to be QuickBooks Certified to become Point of Sale Certified?
A: One of the biggest benefits of QuickBooks Point of Sale is that it integrates with QuickBooks Financial Software. When setting up QuickBooks Point of Sale, you can import data from QuickBooks. During setup, there are also several preferences that need to be configured for exchanging data with QuickBooks. Because of the integration of the two products, you must first be certified in QuickBooks before becoming a Certified QuickBooks Point of Sale ProAdvisor. You must also be certified in QuickBooks 2006 or higher to be recognized with a logo on the QuickBooks Find-a-ProAdvisor Web site.

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Q: Can I receive CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits for completing the QuickBooks POS Certification?
A: No. This course does not include all necessary technical requirements for online learning according to NASBA guidelines for continuing education.

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