How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business

This is a formal way of saying that you will be treated as a separate entity from yourself and your personal finances. You may also need to register with the IRS as a sole proprietor. I’m a CPA and I started my career working for a local CPA firm in Atlanta, GA over 15 years ago. My mission was always to help small businesses through my accounting knowledge. I gained experience in forensic accounting, auditing, recruiting, and using technology to help streamline operations.

I use a ton of others now and have used even a ton more in the past. If you are ever looking for an app to help with your life, you can start by look at Apps.com. This is Intuit’s own website listing apps that integrate with QuickBooks Online and have gone through Intuit’s security testing and approval process. How are you going to communicate with your clients via email? But, I started to get crap from the people I networked with saying they didn’t think just a “@gmail.com” email is professional enough. This can be an accounting problem, a payroll problem, a tax problem, or a financial problem.

Step 3: Register & Organize Your Bookkeeping Business

While some companies use Slack with their clients, I typically advise against that in most cases. The cloud allows you to work remotely and automate your workflows while keeping your accounting secure. Therefore I recommend putting together 3 custom service options in a gold, silver & bronze type approach for each prospective customer you have. Today, I believe most new clients like a subscription model where they pay one fixed monthly price in return for a total solution. Now you need to find new clients with a simple, repeatable sales process. A very good CTA can convert about 10% of your readers to clients to be.

I recommend putting in an initial owner’s investment of around $400, and then as you incur small expenses of setting up your business, you can pay for them directly from your business account. This makes accounting clean and organized for the future. After you file your Articles of Organization, it’s time to get your business license, which lets you practice in your county, city, or state. You’ll need to do some research to see which one of those you may need a license for. Your business plan is vital to reality checking all those ideas you have. You’ll need some training and certification to become a professional bookkeeper.

Google My Business

Becoming a bookkeeper can feel daunting at first, but follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way. Remember to set aside time to plan your business before you start offering your business service. In order to determine your target market, it’s important to first define what a target market is. A target market is a group of people who share similar interests, needs and characteristics. In other words, they’re all potential customers for your bookkeeping business. I think these are some of the most important decisions when you start a virtual bookkeeping business.

While a specific certification isn’t necessary to set up a bookkeeping business, it can help validate your business and your qualifications to do the work of your business. Online education programs how to start a bookkeeping business provide useful ways to train for bookkeeping jobs. A certificate or degree program can teach you how to use the needed tools and understand the process behind the things you’re required to do.

What to Do as a Bookkeeper When You Feel Overwhelmed

The start-up costs will come out of your available cash. You need to find your own business clients on your own, at first they won’t find you but later they will.

• Two software products that can help you get started are ActiveCampaign and GetResponse.
• You will get a far better understanding of the financials so you can be a real asset to your clients.
• Your business plan is vital to reality checking all those ideas you have.
• When you dial in your business structure, accounting system, brand, and target audience, you’re ready to showcase it on a professional bookkeeping website.
• Check the licensing requirements for your state for more information.