For example, you could how to start a bookkeeping business do 1 email inquiry per month to a senior bookkeeper per month for your Bronze plan, 3 calls per month for the silver, and unlimited support for the Gold. To address client inquiries throughout the year effectively, consider offering different support levels at various price points. It’s good to think about your productized service as Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans. It’s what most of your clients will resonate with more than anything.
Step 6: Decide on your office
Health insurance is a much sought-after benefit if you plan to hire employees. If your virtual bookkeeping firm has employees in several states, you may want to work with an insurance agent to find coverage that works for all your employees. Consultations are a relatively easy way to build rapport with potential customers, and they can often turn into paying customers. You can easily post the offer on your website and social media accounts, something you can handle on your own without hiring marketing help. This may seem like a given because, after all, you are a virtual bookkeeper.
- Contacting potential clients directly is another strategy, as is requesting referrals from current clients.
- By presenting your pricing and service options in a second meeting, you’ll be able to engage in a discussion around picking and selecting the right option for your client.
- Create a financial forecast outlining your projected revenue, expenses, and profitability for the next few years.
- If you will see clients from a home office, obtain the proper permits, such as zoning or home-use permits.
- With careful consideration and a bit of creativity, you can come up with a unique and memorable name for your bookkeeping business.
Accounting Program Certifications
Even though accounting software connects with bank accounts, it’s not enough to know the income and outgoings of a business – you’ll also need to access the source documentation. Yet it’s not just about how good you are at your job and how professional you are. Before you start courting clients, make sure you have an attractive and professional website in place. You don’t need to be all that tech-savvy or spend a lot of money to achieve this, either!
Accounting Software
- I quickly discovered that finding another telecommuting job was nearly impossible.
- Check the requirements for your specific location to confirm what paperwork and permits are needed.
- To simplify bookkeeping, she created lots of easy-to-use Excel bookkeeping templates.
- At first glance, Xero seems cheaper overall than QuickBooks, but that’s because their cheapest plan is very limited.
- Keep in mind that securing financing is often easier when you have a well-thought-out business plan and a clear strategy for growth.
- You can look at freelance sites, such as Upwork, to see what others are charging for bookkeeping services, but you can also learn a lot by asking around.
Many banks offer additional services that can help you maintain and scale your business operations, such as business credit cards, small business loans, and more. Starting a bookkeeping business with no experience is technically possible. After all, bookkeepers don’t have to have the education or credentials of a CPA.
How To Start A Virtual Bookkeeping Business
Some newsletters offer exclusive access to learning resources, such as webinars, whitepapers, and e-books. These resources provide additional opportunities for in-depth learning. If you’ve read until this part, you may have noticed that I have mentioned my podcast episodes a couple of times. You need to have the commitment to be as up-to-date as possible so you can always give http://www.midwaymanoralf.com/what-are-debits-and-credits your clients the best service. Make sure the instructions are thorough and detailed enough for a complete stranger to successfully execute the task solely by following the document. You’ll need email to deal with your clients, and a software like Slack for fast communication within your team.
How To Start a Bookkeeping Business in 7 Simple Steps
If you’ve established a corporation or LLC, the entity needs to get registered with your state. Sole proprietorships do not require formation filings, though they often require business licenses. To discover guest posting possibilities, go to your favorite industry blogs, and see whether they have information about guest-posting. Or, you can type in accounting + “guest posts” or “contribute” into Google — and see what opportunities come up.
Fewer distractions, better data and reporting
People who knew I had been laid off were asking me about my “job seeking” prospects and I would tell them that I was starting my own bookkeeping business. Probably about half the people I told HOA Accounting said that they needed or they knew a small business owner who needed a bookkeeper, so I was already handing out my business cards. That first client was all I needed to gain the confidence to get my next client, which came a few weeks later. Completing paperwork to deadlines is crucial for a bookkeeping business’s success. Meeting deadlines shows professionalism and reliability, essential for clients looking for a trustworthy bookkeeper.
