Thinking of Starting a Bookkeeping Business? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you have a keen eye for detail, love working with numbers, are good at organization, and want to be self-employed, establishing a bookkeeping business could be a good way to capitalize on your interests and skills.

Bookkeeping involves recording the daily transactions of a company, which is vital to the financial health of a business. Bookkeepers are responsible for generating financial reports, reconciling accounts, managing payroll, and more.

How Do You Become a Bookkeeper?

You don’t need a specific degree or certification to become a bookkeeper or start your own bookkeeping business. However, because bookkeepers play a vital role in managing a business’s finances, completing an online course or earning a certification can be a valuable way to build the necessary skills and knowledge.

The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers offer educational information, courses, and certifications.

And as bookkeeping has moved away from relying on physical journals to manually track transactions, knowing how to use bookkeeping software programs, like QuickBooks or Xero, can be helpful too.

Establishing a Business

Starting a bookkeeping business is like starting any other small business. You’ll need to determine what your business structure is, apply for an employer identification number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), pick a name, get business insurance, register your business, and open a business bank account.

You might also consider drafting a business plan where you detail information like what services you plan to provide, pricing, your marketing plan, your target customers, and more. You don’t need to draft a business plan to establish a business, but it can be a useful way to understand the purpose of your business as well as your future goals. Plus, it can be used when you apply for loans or request financing for your business.

All of these steps may seem overwhelming at first, but you don’t need to do everything at once. Take your time with each step and don’t hesitate to seek help, especially for decisions like choosing your business structure, which can have significant legal and tax implications down the line.

You’ll also want to start thinking about the logistics and finances of your business. These are important questions to ask yourself:

• Do you plan to launch a website so potential customers can find you online?
• Will you need a customer relationship management (CRM) software to help you keep track of your customers?
• Have you opened a business bank account to keep your personal funds separate from your business funds?
• How much will you charge for your services?

Marketing Your Business

You can offer bookkeeping services in person or online, but regardless of how you plan to offer your services, you’ll need to market your business in order to attract clients.

You can promote your business on social media platforms—like X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn—for free. You can also pay for ads on these platforms. Another option is to advertise your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

Beyond social media, think about leveraging your in-person network. Do you have any friends, family members, or acquaintances who run small businesses? Consider reaching out to them and offering your services. Additionally, you may consider joining local groups or organizations for small businesses. These can be a helpful way to connect with other business owners and find potential clients.

The Bottom Line

Starting a bookkeeping business is a great option for those who want the freedom of self-employment without needing a particular degree. Bookkeeping, however, may not be right for everyone, so consider trying an online course to see if it suits your skills and interests.

When you’re ready to establish your own business, take your time when it comes to steps like determining the business structure and purchasing business insurance. And of course, you’ll need clients, too—take advantage of free social media and freelance platforms to boost your business’s visibility.