How to Start a Bookkeeping Business

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If you have visited my site, then you know that I help entrepreneurs and small business owners manage their income and expenses with my bookkeeping business.

I am a bookkeeper, accountant, busy mom, business owner, blogger, and military wife. These titles have taught me how to organize and manage my time and understand how important the management of bookkeeping is for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

How to Start a Bookkeeping Business. I help businesses achieve free time by taking care of their bookkeeping. You can too!

Education

I have designated more than twelve years in my bookkeeping career alone. I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. However, not everyone has to go to school to start a bookkeeping business.

I do recommend taking courses that teach you specifically about bookkeeping. Reach out to your local colleges for certification programs or classes in bookkeeping.

In addition to local colleges, courses have been created online for individuals ready to dive into a bookkeeping career.

Ben Robinson has founded Bookkeepers.com. Bookkeepers.com course teaches you how to start a virtual bookkeeping business. Sign up for Ben’s free bookkeeping class to get you started.

Before we get started let me remind you to sign up for my free Bookkeeping Simplified Guide. My Bookkeeping Simplified Guide includes free access to my method on how to put your bookkeeping on a schedule.

Accounting Software

Being a bookkeeper means offering a service to a business or entrepreneur. Decide which accounting software you would like to use in your business to provide your service.

I have been certified in Xero and QuickBooks Online. Choose an accounting software that helps you and your clients. I personally prefer QuickBooks because I have been using it for a long time, and it works well for the industries I help.

QuickBooks

If you are interested in QuickBooks as your go-to accounting software, study to become a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor. Achieve a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification by accessing the modules provided for free.

Once you become a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, you have the ability to list yourself on their website as a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor.

The QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor program will not teach bookkeeping, but the program will help you learn the software.

Niche Down

Bookkeeping services help business owners understand their income and expenses. When small business owners understand their finances, they can grow their business, budget, and much more.

It helps if you have an insight into the industry you help. That is where the bookkeeping niche helps you and the company you are working for.

My husband has an automotive business; therefore, I know exactly how it runs and what type of cost of goods, expenses, and income it receives.

Over the years, I have worked with many service-based businesses and have had the privilege to learn more about other industries like website design and health and wellness.

Think about a type of business you know well or would like to learn lots about to have expertise in.

Legal Business

My business name is legal in my state. I submitted all the necessary paperwork to create a legal Limited Liability Company in my state. In addition, I also have my business registered in my city.

When you become a legal company, contact your local state and city resources for the required paperwork.

I use A Self Guru for all of my legal templates. Safeguard your business by using legal forms. One specific template you need is a Bookkeeping Agreement Template. You can download this template from A Self Guru for only $125.

Amira is a lawyer who created easy-to-use templates. I use her templates for client testimonials and maintain a website with a legal Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms and Conditions.

Amira made it easy for me to run my business. The legal forms are simple to edit and download. She also offers bundles at a discounted price.

Bank Account

After I received my Articles of Organization and business license, I opened a new business checking account. Always keep your business income and expenses in separate bank accounts.

Keeping your personal and business income and expenses separate helps your bookkeeper and account categorize and find qualified tax deductions.

Secure Documents

I created a general work email for my vendors and affiliations. Using GoDaddy made it easy for me to set up an additional email for clients. The email allows me to send secure content to clients.

Since I completed the TaxBiz program, I decided to use Drake Tax Software and SecureFilePro. SecureFilePro allows my clients to send me sensitive documents safely and securely.

Look into secure ways to send documents back and forth. Remember that you are dealing with private financial materials as a bookkeeper.

Local Advertisement

There are many ways you can advertise. But first, decide whether your business will be virtual or at an actual location.

I began advertising using local associations to promote my business. I purchased business cards and signage for my vehicle from Vistaprint.

Inquiries about my business come from individuals who see my vehicle sign while I am out driving or while I am at local stores. Promote to local companies with a decal on the back window of your vehicle.

Going out to local companies and introducing myself while leaving business cards gives business owners a face to remember when they need additional help.

Online Advertisement

I took the Stupid Simple SEO Masterclass by Mike Futia and learned how to get my website viewed on Google. The class taught me how to use and find keywords for my blog posts.

Stupid Simple SEO is perfect for anyone trying to draw attention to their blog. I used blogging to give small business owners bookkeeping, tax preparation, and personal finance tips.

In addition, I took the 30-Day Money Maker Bootcamp with Alyssa J. Dillon and learned how to promote my business with the 7 Magic Posts. I stepped out of my comfort zone and increased my Facebook social media views by 38% in one week.

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Start a Blog

Not everyone needs a blog, but I use blogging to share business and bookkeeping information as I mentioned above.

I use SiteGround to host my WordPress website. You can start blogging for as little as $2.99 a month. The step-by-step setup has become even easier since I began blogging.

Writing content allows you to communicate your knowledge and expertise in your field. It gives potential clients the confidence they need to request help from you.

If you are on the road to becoming a blogger, read my article How to Start a WordPress Blog Using SiteGround to get started.

Pricing and Packages

Pricing and packages have become common questions for many bookkeepers. However, I feel like your niche will help you to decide how you want to present your pricing.

More often than not, a review of business bookkeeping is necessary before you decide on how much to charge.

I work on a fixed rate and send a proposal or engagement letter to the client to sign before engaging in work.

As I mentioned before, I use A Self Guru for legal templates. You can purchase a Bookkeeping Agreement Template, a Media Release Agreement Template, and other templates you will use for your growing bookkeeping business.

Additional Recommendations

Since working in bookkeeping and accounting, I have a desk, QuickBooks Software, Office 365, a copier, a scanner, file cabinets, and a designated work area.

I have grown my business over the years and now use NordVPN, Webroot Secure Anywhere, and other antivirus software to protect my business and client information.

I know how hard it is to start a business when on a budget; therefore, I use products from Walmart in my office. Read Walmart Must-Haves for Your Home Office to set up your workspace.

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