--- title: "What Is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor? How to Hire One | MCC" description: "What a QuickBooks ProAdvisor is, what certification does and does not mean, how to find one, and the questions to ask before you hire a bookkeeper." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/guides/what-is-a-quickbooks-proadvisor" --- Bookkeeping guide · Updated October 7, 2026 # What is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor? You may have seen "ProAdvisor" on a bookkeeper's website. Here is what it means, what it does not mean, and how to use it when you are choosing help. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** ProAdvisor is Intuit's program for accountants and bookkeepers who work with QuickBooks. Members get training, software access and a listing in Intuit's Find a ProAdvisor directory, where small businesses can search for help. Want this handled for you? Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and year-end close for small businesses. Start with a free health check of your books. [Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Get a quote](/bookkeeping/#interest) **Related:** [Owner contribution or loan](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-equity-and-capital-contributions) · [Closing entries and retained earnings](/bookkeeping/guides/closing-entries-and-retained-earnings) · [Void vs delete a transaction](/bookkeeping/guides/voiding-vs-deleting-transactions) **Free tools:** [Price per unit calculator](/bookkeeping/price-per-unit-calculator) · [Credit card fee calculator](/bookkeeping/credit-card-fee-calculator) [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) ## What ProAdvisor means ProAdvisor is Intuit's program for accountants and bookkeepers who work with QuickBooks. Members get training, software access and a listing in Intuit's Find a ProAdvisor directory, where small businesses can search for help. Joining the program and passing certification exams are two different things. Ask which a person has. ## What it does not mean It is not a license. A ProAdvisor is not automatically a CPA, an enrolled agent or an attorney, and the title does not authorize anyone to give tax or legal advice. In New Jersey, only a licensed CPA can call themselves a CPA, and anyone paid to prepare tax returns needs a PTIN. It also is not a guarantee of quality. It tells you someone has chosen to specialize in QuickBooks. Their references and their work are what tell you the rest. ## Bookkeeper, ProAdvisor, accountant: which do you need? A bookkeeper records and reconciles transactions. An accountant interprets the numbers, plans taxes and prepares returns. A ProAdvisor can be either. Most small businesses need a bookkeeper every month and a tax professional once a year. See our guide on the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant and CPA. ## How to find and check one Search Intuit's Find a ProAdvisor directory by location, or ask your accountant for a referral. Whoever you talk to, ask these questions: Which QuickBooks products do you use daily? Which certifications do you hold, and can I see the listing? Who owns the QuickBooks account? Who is my backup if you are out? What exactly will I get each month? ## Red flags Anyone who wants to be the account owner of your QuickBooks file. Anyone who asks for your online banking password. Anyone who promises a specific tax result. Anyone who cannot say what they will deliver each month. ## Check my listing [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) You can verify me yourself in Intuit's directory: [Matthew Coleman's QuickBooks ProAdvisor profile](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77). ## Common questions **Is a ProAdvisor better than a regular bookkeeper?** Not automatically. Certification shows training on the product. Experience with businesses like yours matters just as much. **Do ProAdvisors cost more?** Rates vary widely by experience and scope. Ask for a written quote. **Is MCC Solutions a ProAdvisor?** We do not claim any software certification on this site. We are an independent bookkeeping firm in Cranford and we are happy to explain how we work and who does the work. This guide is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules, fees and due dates change; check with the IRS, the NJ Division of Taxation or a licensed professional for your situation. Let us handle it [### Monthly bookkeeping Categorizing, reconciling and monthly reports, with cleanup, payroll and NJ filings available. Bookkeeping →](/bookkeeping/) [### QuickBooks Online Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and reconciliation in QuickBooks Online for New Jersey small businesses. Your account stays in your name. QuickBooks →](/bookkeeping/software/quickbooks-online) More guides - [Bookkeeper vs. accountant vs. CPA: who do you need?](/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeper-vs-accountant-vs-cpa) - [How to set up bookkeeping for a new New Jersey LLC](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-set-up-bookkeeping-for-a-new-nj-llc) - [How to catch up when your books are months behind](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-catch-up-on-behind-books) - [How to reconcile a bank account (and why it matters)](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-reconcile-a-bank-account) Free tool - [Bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check) [All guides](/bookkeeping/guides) Reach small business owners, freelancers and bookkeepers who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#bookkeeping). Do it yourself ### Chart of Accounts and QuickBooks Import Pack Start your books with an account list built for your type of business, instead of the generic default, and compare it with the accounts you already have. [See what's inside ($24)](/toolkits/chart-of-accounts-quickbooks-import-pack)14-day full refund Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Rather have us keep the books? Ask for a quote. [Get a Quote](/bookkeeping/#interest)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)