As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people to work from home, many industries have adapted to remote work arrangements including bookkeeping. Bookkeeping is an essential function for businesses big and small. It involves tracking financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial statements. While some businesses prefer to have an in-house bookkeeper, others are looking for more cost-effective solutions, which is where remote bookkeeping comes in. Bookkeeping from home is a legitimate opportunity for individuals who are good with numbers, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Not to mention, bookkeeping is a field with high demand and enormous growth potential. If you’re looking to start a new career or simply make a side-income, remote bookkeeping may be the perfect opportunity for you. Let’s explore everything you need to know to get started.
Why is bookkeeping a good fit for remote work?
There are several reasons why bookkeeping can be an excellent work-from-home job:
- Most bookkeeping tasks can be done remotely through cloud-based software and tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Wave.
- Bookkeepers can work during flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, which makes it easier to balance family and work obligations.
- A remote bookkeeping business eliminates overhead costs like commuting, work clothes, eating outside, and renting an office space.
- There’s the potential for engaging multiple clients at once, which increases earning potential and reduces the chance of over-reliance on a single source of income.
- Bookkeeping is becoming more in demand, providing a range of employment opportunities across most industries.
With the ease and affordability of launching an online bookkeeping business, more people than ever are getting started as work-from-home bookkeepers. In the next section, we’ll provide insights on how you can get started on the right foot.
What makes an excellent bookkeeper?
| Key Skills | Key Traits |
|---|---|
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If you are looking for an excellent bookkeeper, make sure they have the key skills and traits mentioned above. Check for their experience and knowledge of different accounting software. Online platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and FreshBooks offer bookkeeping services. You can also find freelance bookkeepers on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
Tools and Software for Remote Bookkeeping
As a work-from-home bookkeeper, you’ll need the right tools and software to manage your clients effectively. Here are some essential software programs you may need:
Accounting Software:
- QuickBooks: Automated transaction categorization, expense tracking, client tracking, and invoicing. Pricing ranges from $25-$150+ per month.
- Xero: Automatic bank reconciliation, inventory management, invoicing, payroll, and report generation. Pricing ranges from $11-$62 per month.
- Wave: Accounting and invoicing software for small businesses with features like reports, estimates, recurring invoicing, and payment reminders. It’s free.
Other Tools:
- PDF editors, such as Adobe Acrobat DC and Nitro PDF, to edit, sign and collaborate on PDF documents.
- Cloud storage and collaboration tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
- Time management, scheduling, and project management tools like Trello, Harvest, and Asana.
Using the right software and tools can streamline your bookkeeping tasks, making it easier to provide quality and timely services to clients from home.
How to do bookkeeping remotely?
Bookkeeping remotely has become quite common in today’s digital world. If you want to keep your financial books in order, you can follow these simple steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Choose a cloud-based accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero that supports remote access. |
| Step 2 | Ensure that all your financial transactions are recorded timely and accurately in the software. |
| Step 3 | Take advantage of automated workflows available in the software to streamline your bookkeeping process. |
| Step 4 | Generate financial statements, and review them regularly to stay on top of your finances. |
In addition to accounting software, there are also companies that specialize in bookkeeping and accounting services that can be outsourced. Some popular examples include Bench.co, Bookkeeper360, and KPMG Spark.
Pros of Bookkeeping Work From Home
Working from home as a bookkeeper comes with numerous benefits, including:
- Flexibility: You can set your own working hours and create a schedule that works for you and your clients.
- Cost savings: Working from home eliminates the need to spend money on transportation, office attire, and meals outside the home.
- Autonomy: You can take on the clients and projects you want, and work at your own pace without a boss looming over you.
- Multiples Clients: You can take on multiple clients at once, enabling you to increase your income.
- Work-life balance: Working from home allows you to better manage your home life, bringing more balance to your professional and personal life.
Remote bookkeeping offers flexibility in scheduling and greater control over your work-life balance, all while providing crucial financial help to small businesses. By tracking financial records and providing financial advice, bookkeepers can help ensure the financial health of small businesses and assist them in achieving their goals.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is the process of recording and monitoring financial transactions of a business. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of bookkeeping:
Advantages:
- Helps in monitoring income and expenses
- Provides financial statements for decision-making
- Assists in tax preparation and compliance
- Helps in detecting and preventing fraud
- Enhances the credibility of a business
Disadvantages:
- Requires time and effort to maintain accurate records
- Can be expensive if hiring a professional bookkeeper
- May be difficult for individuals with no accounting background
- Can be time-consuming during tax season
If you’re looking for bookkeeping software to assist in your financial management, products like QuickBooks and Xero are popular choices among small businesses.
Cons of Bookkeeping Work From Home
While there are many benefits to working from home as a bookkeeper, there are also potential challenges to consider, including:
- Isolation: Working from home can be a solitary experience, and there may be fewer opportunities for collaboration and networking.
- Distractions: It can be difficult to stay focused with the distractions that come with working from home (e.g. household chores, family members, pets).
- Time management: Working from home requires excellent time management skills to be able to meet deadlines and manage multiple clients.
- Communication: Communicating with clients remotely can pose challenges such as miscommunication or lack of face-to-face interaction.
While the flexibility and autonomy of working from home is appealing, it is important to consider whether you have the discipline and skills needed to be successful in a remote bookkeeping role. Adequate communication skills, time management, and the ability to create a focused work environment are important factors to keep in mind.
Can you work from home bookkeeping?
Yes, bookkeeping is one of the most common jobs that can be done from home. In fact, many bookkeepers work remotely, doing their job entirely from their home computer. There are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re thinking about working from home as a bookkeeper, such as:
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection.
- Choose bookkeeping software that makes remote work easy, such as QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks and Xero.
- Consider taking online courses to enhance your skills and knowledge (check out Udemy and Coursera).
- Create a comfortable workspace in your home, with enough lighting and a quiet environment to concentrate.
Overall, working from home as a bookkeeper can be a great choice if you have the right skills and tools. Check out websites like FlexJobs and Remote.co for remote bookkeeping job listings.
How to Get Started as a Remote Bookkeeper
If you are interested in starting a bookkeeping business from home, here are some steps to get started:
- Obtain relevant certifications: Look into certifications for bookkeeping and accounting, such as QuickBooks, Xero or Sage, to develop your skills and make you more marketable to potential clients.
- Set up your business: Establish a legal entity, register for taxes, and set up your accounting system and website.
- Develop a marketing plan: Determine your target market and create a marketing plan to attract clients. This could include building a website, creating social media pages, and offering incentives for referrals.
- Get your equipment and software: Invest in a computer, high-quality Internet connection, and bookkeeping software, such as QuickBooks or Xero, to improve your productivity in remote work.
- Network: Attend relevant networking events or join groups on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Starting a bookkeeping business from home requires time and effort, but the potential to work from anywhere and earn a good income makes it worthwhile. Ensuring that you have the necessary skills and equipment, developing a marketing plan, and networking are essential to your success.
How do I start a basic bookkeeping business?
Starting a basic bookkeeping business requires careful planning and execution. Here are some basic steps to help you get started:
- Assess your bookkeeping skills and knowledge
- Choose a business structure and register your business
- Get the necessary licenses and permits
- Set up your office and purchase equipment and software
- Decide on your services and prices
- Market your business to potential clients
Additionally, building a website and using social media to promote your business can help attract more clients. Consider using bookkeeping software such as Quickbooks or Xero to manage your clients’ financial data efficiently.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Assess your bookkeeping skills and knowledge | Ensure that you have the necessary bookkeeping skills and knowledge to run a successful business. Consider taking a course on bookkeeping or hiring an experienced mentor to guide you. |
| Choose a business structure and register your business | Decide on the legal structure of your business such as sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Register your business in your state or country and obtain a tax ID number. |
| Get the necessary licenses and permits | Research and obtain any required licenses or permits to operate your bookkeeping business. |
| Set up your office and purchase equipment and software | Choose a suitable location for your office, and purchase necessary equipment such as computers, printers, and software such as bookkeeping software and customer relationship management software. |
| Decide on your services and prices | Determine the specific bookkeeping services you will offer and the rates you will charge your clients. |
| Market your business to potential clients | Create a marketing plan to attract potential clients. You can use social media, online advertising, or traditional marketing methods like flyers and local ads. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, bookkeeping is a promising work-from-home job option for individuals who possess strong financial and organizational skills. As businesses increasingly outsource their accounting functions, bookkeeping has become an attractive remote job option for many people. When starting a bookkeeping business from home, it is important to obtain relevant certifications, set up your business, develop a marketing plan, and invest in the equipment and software necessary to perform your tasks effectively. Networking with other professionals in the industry can also be a great way to land new clients and build your business. With the right preparation and approach, bookkeeping can be a fulfilling and well-paying career for those who pursue it.
