| There is money to be made as a bookkeeper. | | | | internet to find out what services other |
| Many small businesses outsource their | | | | bookkeeping companies are offering and be |
| bookkeeping work, and there are lots of | | | | prepared to offer them yourself - before your |
| individuals and families who simply want someone | | | | customers ask. Also, getting additional certification |
| else to manage their record-keeping for them. | | | | can give you a competitive advantage - the |
| Even if you think you'd never be able to start | | | | Certified Bookkeepers Designation is awarded by |
| your own business - with basic accounting skills, | | | | the American Institute of Professional |
| some software and insurance, you can be off and | | | | Bookkeepers. |
| running very quickly with your own bookkeeping | | | | 2. Find out where your customers are. You may |
| company. | | | | choose to work with businesses or individuals - or |
| Why would someone want to start a | | | | both. A bookkeeping business can be built quickly |
| bookkeeping business anyway? To start, | | | | through referrals. Find one good client who has a |
| bookkeeping is a very affordable and low-risk | | | | few friends, and that may be all the advertising |
| business to start. You can conveniently work | | | | you need to grow your business. That said, the |
| from home or offer a mobile service without | | | | best way to start your company may be through |
| having to rent office space or open a store front. | | | | someone you already know - including a local |
| You don't have to hire employees and can run | | | | business. Offer discounts or gift certificates for |
| your bookkeeping company as a one-person | | | | customer referrals, and you can have more |
| business if you choose. A bookkeeper's work | | | | customers than you need without ever having to |
| schedule can be flexible: part-time, regular business | | | | place one ad. |
| hours, evenings, weekends or even varying hours | | | | 3. Find out which licenses or permits you need |
| by week. | | | | from your local government office. Talk with an |
| A bookkeeping business is ideal for someone who | | | | insurance agent and banker (you can get referrals |
| enjoys accounting (of course), who likes working | | | | from other local business owners or friends) to |
| independently, is organized and likes solving | | | | get helpful tips on insurance requirements and |
| problems. As this field has evolved, the internet | | | | business management that will save you time, |
| and computer programs have made bookkeeping | | | | money and hassles in the long run. |
| an easier task to accomplish from a remote | | | | Running your own bookkeeping business can offer |
| location. Generally, there is not a lot of social | | | | lots of benefits to you as a business owner. |
| interaction with bookkeeping, but having good | | | | Compared to other businesses, this field is fairly |
| people skills are an advantage in any business. | | | | easy to enter into, and you can get started |
| So how do you actually go about starting your | | | | quickly - plus you can even start your business on |
| bookkeeping service? | | | | a part-time basis. With so many individuals and |
| 1. Learn your business - brush up on your | | | | companies needing this service, you may be |
| accounting skills if necessary, become adept with | | | | profitable sooner than you think. |
| accounting software like Quickbooks. Search the | | | | |