| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Bookkeepers often include tax returns in their |
| With a bookkeeping business, you'll have no | | | | service listing each year as a way of making |
| shortage of potential clients as so many people | | | | extra money on a seasonal basis. |
| dislike bookkeeping and are willing to hire a | | | | A great way to get started in bookkeeping is by |
| professional to take care of it for them. | | | | targeting brand new businesses. There are over |
| Better yet, bookkeeping services are always in | | | | 500,000 new start-ups each year within the |
| demand, even in a shaky economy, as businesses | | | | United States alone and many of these people |
| require additional help managing their finances and | | | | require help in managing and maintaining their |
| evaluating budgets. | | | | business records, because they are new to the |
| Successful bookkeepers need to be reliable, | | | | world of commerce! |
| precise, thorough and willing to review their work | | | | Consider targeting these start-up businesses by |
| for accuracy. Your clients will depend on you and | | | | offering them an overview of the services you |
| so you'll need to be willing to commit yourself to | | | | offer, along with your business card. |
| fulfilling your obligations, and in taking great care to | | | | If you have experience and training, you will want |
| handle their business and personal bookkeeping | | | | to highlight that on your service sheet by |
| with the upmost professionalism. | | | | attaching an "Credentials" page to the pamphlet. |
| In order to set up a home based bookkeeping | | | | A home-based bookkeeping business carries a |
| service, you will need to be experienced in | | | | very low start up cost. In fact, you can build your |
| accounting and utilizing spreadsheet software, so | | | | business for less than $1,000, and if you already |
| this business is best suited for those who have | | | | own a personal computer and accounting |
| had previous experience working in financial and | | | | software, your costs are tremendously cut down |
| accounting departments for companies or | | | | even more! |
| employers. | | | | In fact, all you will really need is a business |
| If you don't have the experience needed, you | | | | registration unless you intend to do business using |
| could consider taking a short-term accounting | | | | your own name. |
| course through your local community college. You | | | | Other benefits of a home-based bookkeeping |
| could also take a distance training course from | | | | business include: |
| hoe through online colleges and training facilities to | | | | - No zoning requirements |
| gain the knowledge and experience needed to run | | | | Since you will be completing your work from your |
| a successful bookkeeping business. | | | | home office, there is no traffic to and from your |
| I recommend purchasing "QuickBooks Pro" (retail | | | | home, eliminating the need for business zoning or |
| $200-$240) which is the most popular accounting | | | | licensing. |
| software on the market today and also the | | | | - No Special Equipment Needed |
| easiest to use, even if you have no experience | | | | Other than a personal PC, accounting software |
| bookkeeping. | | | | and a fax machine, there is little involved or |
| The overall profits of a bookkeeping service is | | | | needed in starting a home based bookkeeping |
| absolutely phenomenal as your start up costs and | | | | service. |
| business operation costs are minimal once you | | | | - Work On The Side |
| have the software and management tools that | | | | Many bookkeepers start their business to |
| you need. You can expect to earn anywhere | | | | supplement their existing income, and since you |
| between $30-$50 per hour based on the services | | | | can set your own hours and take on only a few |
| you offer and the types of clients you accept. | | | | clients, this business is something you can do while |
| In order to determine your price structure, you | | | | keeping your full time job. |
| will want to evaluate existing bookkeeping | | | | - No Inventory |
| services in your area, as well as the level of work | | | | You never have to purchase, manage or maintain |
| you do, ranging from basic book keeping to | | | | inventory reducing your expenses and eliminating |
| extensive preparation of financial statements and | | | | overhead! |
| business accounts. | | | | |