| These days there are many possibilities for people | | | | is entirely possible that you will decide to buy a |
| wanting to work at home. Just about any job | | | | couple different software programs so that you |
| that doesn't require face to face interaction has | | | | can work with just about any client. |
| the potential to be done from home. Yes, that | | | | Don't be surprised if you often have to go to |
| includes accounting and bookkeeping jobs. | | | | your client's site to pick up paperwork. Not every |
| There are a couple ways to find these kinds of | | | | company will have it all on their computer or they |
| jobs. | | | | may just not be comfortable sending their |
| The first is to look for companies that hire people | | | | proprietary information to you by email. |
| to do this kind of work at home. Many prefer | | | | That of course does lead to the point that you |
| that you live within a particular geographic region | | | | must make your customers comfortable with |
| as some parts of the job may require meeting | | | | your ability to keep their proprietary information |
| with your clients. | | | | safe. If you can have a completely separate |
| The second is to look for your own clients. Many | | | | room for your office and a computer that is used |
| small businesses would rather hire an individual to | | | | only for work, so much the better for your |
| handle their bookkeeping and accounting than do it | | | | clients. |
| themselves or hire a regular employee for the | | | | While you're working at home, don't assume that |
| job. | | | | you will have it too easy. If you have children you |
| Most of these jobs will primarily involve filing taxes | | | | will need to figure out how to work around their |
| for businesses. This can make work a bit | | | | needs. You'll have to keep yourself on task and |
| sporadic, with little peaks for each quarterly filing | | | | figure out your best working hours. You'll even |
| time and of course the big one getting prepared | | | | need to figure out how to deal with the busier |
| for April 15. | | | | times of year when you may not have the time |
| You don't need much special equipment. The big | | | | you'd like for your family. |
| question for a work at home accountant is which | | | | If you have experience in bookkeeping or |
| kinds of software to use. QuickBooks is quite | | | | accounting, your skills can help you find a great |
| popular but there are other options as well. You | | | | work at home job or allow you to start a home |
| will also use spreadsheets as necessary. | | | | business of your own. If you have what it takes |
| Your choices here will sometimes determine which | | | | you can take advantage of some great |
| clients you can work with. Some will be set up | | | | opportunities, gaining a sometimes more flexible |
| with a particular software and if you can't work | | | | schedule and a new way to be there for your |
| with that software, they won't work with you. It | | | | family. |