BOOKKEEPING BUSINESS: What Is It, How to Start One, Cost & Salary

Bookkeeping Business
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One of the highest-paying remote occupations is a bookkeeping business. Someone interested in finance but unwilling to fulfill the qualifications to become an accountant may find it to be a fascinating career. Working as a bookkeeper could be a lucrative and satisfying alternative if you’re searching for a position that allows you to put your financial knowledge or computer abilities to use. We’ll talk about a bookkeeping business, typical salary, and the actions you can take to start this career path in this post.

Bookkeeping Business 

The everyday financial operations of their clients are handled by bookkeepers. They keep track of, document, and organize each incoming and outgoing payment related to a specific account. The primary goal of bookkeepers is to preserve the soundness and stability of their client’s finances. By ensuring that every financial transaction complies with applicable federal laws and regulations, they help safeguard their clients. a question of. 

Some particular responsibilities of a bookkeeper include:

  • Financial report generation and submission
  • Upkeep and examination of financial documents
  • Budgets for writing and editing
  • Taking care of employee payroll
  • Making their client aware of any financial inconsistencies
  • Accounts Payable and Receivable Monitoring

Average Salary

In the United States, a bookkeeper makes an average hourly wage of $17.73. The range of the national pay distribution is $7.25 to $35.15. These figures represent the typical remuneration for a bookkeeper who is employed by a business. Independent bookkeepers determine their own fees and frequently bill between $40 and $60 per hour. If a freelance bookkeeper has several clients and works full-time, they frequently make more money than the $35–40,000 a year that a paid bookkeeper makes.

How to Start a Bookkeeping Business 

You have a choice between two paths if you want to become a bookkeeper. You might either look for a salaried employee with a business or launch your own independent bookkeeping business. In either case, you must take a number of specific actions to start down this bookkeeping business path:

1. Work Toward a High School Diploma

Most bookkeepers have associate’s or bachelor’s degrees, unlike accountants. Most of the time, businesses merely demand a high school diploma or GED from their bookkeepers. The fundamental math, writing, and communication abilities required for working as a bookkeeper will be provided by a high school diploma. High school is also a good time to develop other useful skills like time management, organization, and cooperation.

Although a college degree is not required, aspirants for bookkeeping positions will be better suited to work for clients who have higher educational requirements if they pursue an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Accounting. These degrees will need study in business law, economics, computer systems, and financial mathematics. Also, students have the option of enrolling in in-depth courses on auditing, managerial accounting, or accounting software.

#1. Acquire Training

Training in bookkeeping can be obtained from a variety of sources. Many new bookkeepers begin by learning how to utilize accounting programs like QuickBooks on their own. To master the fundamentals of practical finance, they could also take online classes, read books, or attend seminars. Self-taught bookkeepers frequently pick up the necessary skills on the job rather than via formal training. The majority of employers have six months or fewer to teach a beginning bookkeeper. A self-taught bookkeeper’s training term will differ in length depending on their preferred approach and personal schedule.

#2. Apply for Positions

Find local or remote employment openings if you’re interested in working as a salaried bookkeeper as your next step. You must write a strong CV that showcases your bookkeeping abilities and lists any relevant professional experience if you want to come across as a qualified applicant. Three essential abilities to have are a solid grasp of both personal and business finance as well as experience with accounting software. If you don’t have any real-world experience, you might be able to make up for it by portraying yourself as a dedicated worker with lots of room for advancement.

Make sure your resume is customized for the position you’re applying for. Study the job description, then include any pertinent keywords in your cover letter or CV.

#3. Become a Freelancer

The next step is to start your own bookkeeping business if you prefer to work as a freelance bookkeeper. You might wish to hold regular bookkeeping employment at a nearby company or accounting office for a year or two before you go freelancing because the majority of your potential clients will be wanting to hire someone with some hands-on expertise.

You can use online job boards and other job search resources to start looking for local, remote, or virtual opportunities if you are confident that you have the necessary experience, abilities, and time. By asking friends, family, and coworkers if they know of anyone who needs a bookkeeper for their business, you can leverage your own network. Also, you have the option of placing ads in local community centers, online, or in the newspaper.

#4. Consider Certification

Becoming certified may be advantageous for both salaried and independent workers. You can obtain the designation of “Certified Bookkeeper” from either the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers or the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. You must work as a bookkeeper full-time for at least two years overall, or for an equivalent amount of part-time hours, in order to qualify for these credentials. After that, you must pass a test and promise to abide by a code of ethics. As an alternative, you can obtain a Certified Public Bookkeeper license online by passing the Uniform Bookkeeper Certification Test.

Although certification is not necessary for success as a bookkeeper, it can boost your chances of landing high-end clients. Some firms might only engage certified bookkeepers since they are certain to be knowledgeable and experienced.

Bookkeeping Business Salary 

The average annual salary for a bookkeeping business salary in the United States as of March 12, 2023, is $42,791. That comes out to about $20.57 an hour, in case you need a quick pay calculator. This amounts to $822 each week or $3,565 per month. The bulk of bookkeeper salaries presently varies between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $49,000 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making $57,000 yearly across the United States. We have seen annual incomes as high as $60,000 and as low as $21,500. The wide variation in the average compensation for bookkeeping business salary—up to $14,000—indicates that there may be numerous prospects for wage increases and promotion based on experience, location, and skill level.

Recent research indicates that there is a strong demand for a high salary for bookkeeping business in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. A bookkeeper in your area earns, on average, $43,921 a year, which is $1,130 (3%) higher than the $42,791 national average. It is ranked first in the nation among the 50 states for bookkeeper wages.

Is a Bookkeeping Business Profitable? 

Exceptionally yes. In reality, you’re onto something that could prove to be both short- and long-term highly profitable for you. Top-tier freelance bookkeepers who work full-time can earn well over six figures. In today’s economy, even part-time bookkeepers have a good chance of success.

How Do I Start a Bookkeeping Business? 

  • Choose your market and your niche.
  • Develop a business plan.
  • Register your company and obtain insurance.
  • Select your bookkeeping program.
  • Establish your company’s infrastructure.
  • Your service’s price.
  • Locate your target market.
  • Know your available funding choices.

What Is a Bookkeeping Business? 

To assist them in maintaining their financial records and accounting reports, businesses frequently employ bookkeepers. A bookkeeper typically performs the following tasks, among others: Transactions, including income and expenses, should be recorded and categorized.

Is Bookkeeping a Good Side Hustle? 

If you enjoy it and are excellent at it, bookkeeping is a side job that may be quite lucrative. Just consider it: Every firm will eventually require a bookkeeper. This implies that there is always a customer in need of bookkeeping services.

How Do I Find Bookkeeping Clients? 

Tips for Finding Customers for Bookkeeping:

  • With other specialists, trade recommendations.
  • Publish blogs.
  • Share endorsements.
  • Visit employment sites.
  • Invited speaker.
  • Keep an eye on social media sites.
  • Discover additional marketing tools.

Can I Do Freelance Bookkeeping?

Bookkeepers can work as salaried employees or independent contractors for businesses or individuals. A bookkeeper’s other duties may include: preparing and archiving financial reports. inspection and updating of financial records.

References 

indeed.com

ziprecruiter.com

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