On The Successful Bookkeeper podcast, Garry Carter, co-founder and CEO of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), shared a global perspective on the bookkeeping profession—its past challenges, current transformation, and future opportunities. With ICB now active in over 130 countries, his insights offer bookkeepers a clear roadmap for raising professional standards, improving credibility, and expanding their role in small business success.
Garry began his journey not as an accountant, but as a small business owner. Like many entrepreneurs, he struggled to understand his numbers and didn’t know who to turn to for financial clarity. His frustration wasn’t uncommon—many small businesses operate without a solid grasp of their financial position. That’s where qualified bookkeepers come in. Not just to enter data, but to provide timely, accurate financial visibility that supports day-to-day decisions.
He and his wife launched ICB in response to a widespread need: small business owners wanted trusted, competent bookkeepers they could rely on. But how could they be sure who was qualified? ICB set out to establish a universal standard—exam-based certification, a strict code of ethics, and a focus on both technical competence and business acumen.
Across cultures, Garry sees the same traits in successful bookkeepers: attention to detail, a love of numbers, and a genuine satisfaction in turning messy records into clean, reliable books. More than technical skills, it's their consistency, trustworthiness, and deep understanding of clients’ businesses that set them apart.
Successful bookkeepers tend to build long-term relationships. They aren’t just service providers—they become part of the business’s internal team. Garry uses the analogy of a nurse to a doctor: while the accountant may diagnose or advise on complex issues, the bookkeeper provides daily support, continuity, and care. That level of involvement puts bookkeepers in a powerful position to guide business owners—not just track their results, but influence them.
ICB’s rapid growth—now with formal offices in nine countries and members in over 130—shows there’s global demand for structure and recognition in bookkeeping. ICB requires all members to pass an exam, regardless of experience. The goal is to protect both the bookkeeper and their clients by ensuring every member works within their area of competence and upholds ethical standards.
This emphasis on professionalism is especially significant given bookkeeping’s history as an undervalued profession. In some regions, women (who make up a large share of bookkeepers worldwide) were discouraged from openly pursuing careers in finance. Garry shared the story of one woman in the UK who, as the fourth generation in a line of family bookkeepers, was the first allowed to publicly acknowledge her profession.
The message is clear: bookkeeping is not a side job or a stepping stone—it’s a respected profession in its own right.
With automation and AI reshaping the industry, the role of the bookkeeper is evolving. Manual data entry is becoming less important. What matters more is how you interpret the numbers. Bookkeepers who can explain trends, highlight risks, and guide business decisions are positioning themselves as trusted advisors.
That shift requires more than technical skills. It calls for confidence, communication, and the ability to speak the language of business owners. Many bookkeepers already have the insight—they just need to take the next step by initiating more strategic conversations and helping clients plan for the future.
ICB has recently launched in the U.S., led by Jan Haugo, with a growing member base and strong support from software providers. The goal is to create a U.S.-specific version of ICB that meets local needs while connecting bookkeepers to a global network. ICB's emphasis remains the same: high standards, strong ethics, professional development, and community.
The vision is to unite bookkeepers across regions, create opportunities for shared learning, and help more professionals build sustainable, credible businesses.
To learn more about ICB North America, visit icbusa.org. For resources, certifications, and membership information, the site offers tools for bookkeepers ready to take their career to the next level.
For more great content, check out The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast!