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How to Work From Home as a Bookkeeper

Author: Holly Reisem Hanna

39 Comments

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy math and spreadsheets? Then, becoming a virtual bookkeeper might be your career calling. Here is how you can work from home as a bookkeeper!

Working as a virtual bookkeeper is an excellent way to make good money and gain the flexibility and freedom you crave. Plus, getting started is easy. There’s not a lot of set-up or equipment required, aside from a computer, an internet connection, and bookkeeping software. While learning the ropes of bookkeeping can take some time, almost anyone with a head for numbers and a propensity for data entry can learn this skill with practice.

If you want to work from home as a bookkeeper — here’s what you need to know.

The Difference Between Bookkeepers and Accountants

When you hear the term bookkeeping, you may wonder what responsibilities and experience are required. Unlike an accountant or CPA (certified public accountant), which requires a bachelor’s degree and license, bookkeepers fall under the umbrella of finance accounting.

However, bookkeepers are more focused on the day-to-day operations of tracking income and expenses and balancing the books. While experience is beneficial to working as a bookkeeper, you don’t need a college degree or CPA license. Therefore, while the bookkeeping role requires close attention to detail and a high level of accuracy, there’s less responsibility than an accountant’s role.

On the other hand, accountants are typically in charge of setting up the overall budget and financial direction for a business; they oversee tax information and set up the chart of accounts according to standard accounting practices. Accountants analyze and audit financial information, produce reports, and make strategic recommendations based on data and tax laws.

What Types of Work Do Bookkeepers Do?

Bookkeeping is a back-office position required in almost every industry, so there’s the built-in advantage of being able to work in any field. Once you’re trained in bookkeeping, you can work within many different industries and find work that interests you; whether working with small business owners, bloggers, or even non-profits, every industry needs bookkeepers.

Common bookkeeping tasks often include:

  • Managing financial transactions
  • Entering income and expenses
  • Provide monthly reconciliations, financial statements, and financial records
  • Managing inventory counts
  • Financial reporting
  • Managing invoices and paying vendors
  • Processing payroll
  • Monitoring petty cash

What Qualifications Do You Need?

If you have a formal education in business, accounting, or mathematics or previous experience balancing the books for a family business or shop — you probably have a good foundation to work from home as a bookkeeper.

However, if you don’t have bookkeeping experience, there are ways to get up to speed. For instance, try this FREE online bookkeeping training from Ben Robinson of Bookkeepers.

Most online bookkeeping training courses take approximately three to six months to complete, including the one I recommend, the Bookkeepers. However, because Bookkeepers is self-paced, you can complete it on your own schedule; in fact, many students complete the course and land their first client within their first three months.

Callie Sitek (owner of TheSmartKeep.com) took the Bookkeepers course and has had massive success as a remote bookkeeper!

If you’re new to the field, taking a training course like the Bookkeepers can help you learn the ropes, including the popular bookkeeping software QuickBooks.

How Much Do Bookkeepers Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hourly rates for bookkeepers and auditing clerks is $22.05 per hour. However, more experienced bookkeepers and those who run their own businesses can earn much more, anywhere from $30-$60 per hour.

Working for a company, a bookkeeper’s salary typically runs between $45,860 for full-time positions. Of course, the advantage is that you don’t have to worry about the steadiness of the hours, and you may even receive benefits. But working for a company might mean you have to work a set schedule with lower pay.

Where Can You Find Virtual Bookkeeping Jobs?

If you want to work from home as a bookkeeper, you have a few options. If you have the experience, it might be worth it to reach out to your contacts from your previous job to see if they or any of their clients are looking for someone to help with their books. You can also check local listings for bookkeeping services, many of which are looking for remote bookkeepers on a consulting basis.

Remote Bookkeeping Jobs:

Some of these companies hire bookkeepers as W2 employees, while others hire as independent contractors or freelancers. If you’re working as the latter, you’ll be responsible for paying quarterly self-employment taxes and tracking your own income and expenses, so you’ll want to fully understand your status before accepting a position. Here is some information on how to handle your finances as an independent contractor.

Freelance Marketplaces, Remote Job Boards, and Staffing Agencies:

One of my favorite places to find online bookkeeping jobs is staffing agencies. The great thing about searching for remote jobs on a staffing agency site is you can easily find those one-off job listings that companies have that are difficult to find on the huge job board sites. If you’re interested in finding freelance clients, freelance marketplaces are an excellent way to build your business.

Want to Start Your Own Virtual Bookkeeping Business?

If you’ve decided running a bookkeeping business is the right path for you, the first thing you’ll need to do is write a business plan. Having a business plan will help guide you as you set up the various aspects of your business.

Don’t worry; business plans don’t have to be complicated; in fact, I have a free business plan template right here.

1. Gather Your Tools

To start, you’ll need a laptop with an internet connection. You’ll also need to use some accounting software to manage your client’s finances. The most popular options include Excel, Bill.com, Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage. Intuit QuickBooks tends to be the industry standard. You’ll also need a way to accept payments from home clients; PayPal and Stripe are popular options.

2. Build a Website

To advertise your bookkeeping business and spread the word to your clients, you’ll need to create a website, particularly if you plan to work with several clients on a consulting basis. On your site, be sure to include your experience, list your services and areas of expertise, and client testimonials. Not sure how to set up a website? Check out this post for an easy and inexpensive solution.

3. Market Your Business

If you’re not sure how to market your business, there are plenty of ways to get the word out. Make up a few business cards to get started and reach out to your contacts on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Other ways to market your business:

  • Advertising
  • Cold calling or email prospecting
  • Direct mail
  • Networking
  • Blogging
  • PR opportunities
  • Public speaking
  • Guest blogging
  • Forum or group participation
  • Social media

Once you’ve got your website up and running, you should set a goal to reach out to a certain number of prospective clients each day. The general rule of thumb is five to ten, but set your own pace as you build up your client base.

If you want to work from home as a bookkeeper, you’ll need to invest in your professional development. The good news is it’s widely available! Not only do conferences, events, and professional groups enable you to meet other people in your industry, they can help you connect with clients, stay on top of changes you need to know about, and keep yourself competitive. Watch for webinars, online courses, books, and training sessions relevant to the bookkeeping, finance, business, and accounting industries.

Do You Want to Work From Home as a Bookkeeper?

Whether you want to work full- or part-time hours, bookkeeping is a flexible work from home job with a lot of opportunities. Bookkeepers are needed in virtually every industry and company, and it’s something you can do from home without a large investment on the front end. When you work from home as a bookkeeper, you get to choose your own path, whether it’s W2 employment, freelancing, or being your own boss!

If you think you want to work from home as a bookkeeper, sign up for this free bookkeeping course to test the waters.

Do you work from home as a bookkeeper? Drop us a note; we’d love to hear about your experience!

Originally published March 1, 2017. Content updated August 2023.

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About the Author

Headshot Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna is a former nurse who decided to start a blog to make money from home while caring for her daughter. Since its inception in 2009, The Work at Home Woman has helped millions of readers find legitimate work at home jobs and business ideas. Under Holly's guidance, The Work at Home Woman was named one of the best websites for your career by Forbes two years in a row. Holly graduated from the University of Texas and has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Woman’s World Magazine, CNN, and many others.

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Reader Interactions

39 Comments

  1. Hi Holly! I have been working as an accountant for an association in Bangladesh for over five years. However, I don’t have any practical experience in handling accounts online. Since I know the basics I am confident that I can do that. Due to the financial crisis and my longing for a freelance lifestyle, I need a remote job as soon as possible. Can you help how can I be able to land a remote client?

    Reply to this comment

    • Hi Jewel,

      First, clean up your LinkedIn profile and make sure it reflects the job you’re looking for. Create a dream list of companies that you’d love to work for, and then follow them on social and start interacting with their brand (liking, commenting (show your expertise), and sharing posts). Side note; be sure all of your social media profiles are professionally done and delete anything that could reflect poorly. Either connect with HR or the head of finance via LinkedIn and ask them about any future job openings. If it’s a smaller company, you may need to connect with the owner. You want to take time and build the relationship — most people hate being cold pitched. People are more responsive, when they recognize the person contacting them.

      You can use this same method in Facebook Groups — answer questions, look for people in need of your services, and add value to the group.

      Reply to this comment

  2. Just FYI – your link “For instance, try this FREE online bookkeeping discovery series: How to: Own a Successful, Run-from-AnywhereDigital Bookkeeping Business.

    ” is causing major threat to my MacBook Pro, so you may wish to check. Avast Security is going nuts.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Hi…I’m the controller for a very busy business in Long Island and have been doing bookkeeping for 30 years. I’ve had some unfortunate events happen recently and am in need of a second job to help supplement my current income. Since I’ve been in the bookkeeping field for many years I was interested in possibly exploring this option. What are the best ways to go about starting an at home bookkeeping business? Anything you can provide me with would be most helpful. Thank you.

    Reply to this comment

  7. love all the comments, interesting, i am taking leap of faith and setting up from home next year, book keeping, so yes, all the best to you all, believe in yourselves and yes, accuracy is key!

    Reply to this comment

  9. I’m an accountant with 12 years experience but I’m not licensed for the cpa just yet. I am wanting to start a virtual bookkeeping business part time but I have no clue on how or where to start. I would like to learn more about getting quick books licensed and obtaining the software since most clients from my past audit profession where using some version of quick books.

    Is there a program you recommend in guiding someone on what steps are necessary to start this business?

    Reply to this comment

  10. Hello,

    I’ve worked in the Accounting Industry for 4 years and will be acheiving me certificate of bookkeeping. If it’s possible, can I work for your businessas as a stay at home freelance bookkeeper. I ve many experiences with various business clientele! It will help me to finish my BA degree in school. I can send over my resume and cover letter if you would like to consider me for a freelance bookkeeping position!

    Kaila W

    Reply to this comment

  11. Just be warned – if you’re going to try to be a bookkeeper from home, you’d better be prepared for what you’re getting into. Lots and lots and lots of numbers, and no room for error because you’re dealing with a business’ finances. It’s really not something to take lightly!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Thank you so much for this article! I work part time outside the home as a bookkeeper and have been wondering if the skills I already have (or a little extra training) would help me to find a work from home job.

    Reply to this comment

  16. I love this because so many do not realize the distinction between bookkeeper and accountant, or that even if you have no financial background you can pretty easily get the training you need to become a bookkeeper. It is a much faster process than becoming an accountant for sure!

    Reply to this comment

  17. Thanks for sharing with us how to work from home as a Bookkeeper. Your Article is Wonderful! A lot of Great Tips and Very nicely written. I really love working with numbers? So you have given me the keys to the kingdom! It’s just a fantastic tips to getting started as a bookkeeper.

    Reply to this comment

  18. Some great tips in the article for getting started as a bookkeeper. I work from home as a bookkeeper and it fits in perfectly with family life. One of the things that has worked well for me is to work with an accountant that needs someone to complete bookkeeping for their clients, this then frees their time.

    Reply to this comment

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