These deductions include withdrawals such as federal income taxes, state income taxes, local income taxes, FICA tax , medical benefits, retirement savings… If you’re starting a new business or adding new locations or business lines to an existing one, you are likely wondering if registering a DBA or forming an LLC is the best route to travel. If your home is part of a homeowner’s association, you’ll also be subject to any of their restrictions for home-based businesses. Some areas may also require home-based businesses to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy . These documents look a bit different for each kind of business, but they serve the same general purpose. They ensure there’s a clear path forward for any major issue that may arise, from changes in ownership to closing the business. LLCs and corporations also typically need an operating agreement or bylaws in order to open a bank account.

Tim worked as a tax professional for BKD, LLP before returning to school and receiving his Ph.D. from Penn State. He then taught tax and accounting to undergraduate and graduate students as an assistant professor at both the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Mississippi State University. Tim is a Certified QuickBooks Time Pro, QuickBooks ProAdvisor for both the Online and Desktop products, how to start a bookkeeping business as well as a CPA with 25 years of experience. He most recently spent two years as the accountant at a commercial roofing company utilizing QuickBooks Desktop to compile financials, job cost, and run payroll. Now that you’ve organized your business, you can start setting up operations, like getting the right small business insurance and opening a separate business checking account.

Tax ID Application

Then it’s just a matter of tailoring your core offering around solving these pain points. If you can do that, you’re one step closer to getting clients to sign up with you. The bad thing about Google and Facebook ads is that they can be super expensive and the traffic you get may not be the traffic that you want. Which means you would end up with the wrong kind of bookkeeping clients. If people start sending you LinkedIn connection invites coming from these groups and from local businesses, you know you’re on the right track. Once you’ve been accepted into these social media groups, you’ll have access to the exact kind of new business clients you’re looking for. They also include a big bright button on their home page as their CTA (Call-to-Action) as a tactic to convert visitors into potential clients.

• A virtual bookkeeping business run out of a home has relatively few startup needs.
• You’ll need something that tracks your tasks, deadlines and provides for one central place to communicate on work.
• This is very inspirational right now, thank you for the information.

Fortunately, the startup costs for a bookkeeping business are fairly low, especially if you work from home. And if you start your business as a side hustle before going full-time, they’ll be even lower. If you’re not ready to go all-in as a full-time, self-employed bookkeeper, you can start slowly by taking one or two clients as a side hustle. That gives you the chance to make sure that bookkeeping is really for you before quitting your day job to hang out your shingle. Similarly, if you just want to work part-time hours, you can do that, too. The specific amount you charge your clients for bookkeeping services will depend on your certifications, years of experience and familiarity with the client’s business.

How to Start a Home Based Bookkeeping Business

The next step is to get your business set up legally and financially. Tycoonstory is the largest Online Network for Entrepreneurs & Startups. Tycoonstory gives the opportunity to share the challenges of being an entrepreneur and offers a regularly updated resource on entrepreneurship. Tycoonstory explores the creative process and issues around how people, companies, and industries are making it happen. Find customers who needs the kind of business service you want to offer. Find a customer who can pay you and a customer who will refer you to other customers.

It’s easier to standardize your own accounting firm business if you build processes around one of them. The more you can standardize, the more streamlined your business model will be when you get clients. If you are targeting restaurant owners as bookkeeping clients, perhaps they’re on Instagram instead. Always consider where your target market hangs out before engaging in any social media marketing activities. You have a business license, a business name, a strategic plan, and your core offerings in place.

Step 2 – Define Your Target Market

Whether you create your website yourself or hire a web developer, you’ll likely need to determine what you want on your website and factor that into your startup costs. After establishing the purpose of your accounting firm, you’ll need to establish early on in your first year exactly what your ideal client profile looks like. Accountants often work closely with bookkeepers, especially at tax time, and fellow bookkeepers can be an invaluable source of information and advice. Being the best bookkeeper in the world won’t help you if no one knows who you are or how to find you.

For a basic idea, the average number of clients once you are up and running, per bookkeeper is 30. This will likely be your most important marketing asset. Your website is where you can drive all your traffic from other marketing channels. It holds information about you, your business, and your services. It’s also a place for you to clarify for your potential clients why they should want to work with you. You can build your website yourself, but if you have the budget invest in a web designer and copywriter to help build it for you.

Starting a bookkeeping business

Usually, bookkeepers in the United States do not have to be licensed or certified. However, becoming licensed or having a certification behind your name can instill customer trust and confidence in your abilities. A bookkeeper business is so flexible and perfect for stay at home moms and dads. Do you have what it takes to be a successful bookkeeper? And can you really make money online working from home doing bookkeeping?

Marketing is one of the key topics Michelle writes about and it only makes sense, since it’s how you’ll develop business. She discusses websites, social media, networking and more. There’s also information on setting billing rates, collecting fees, setting expectations and much, much more.

How much does it cost to start up a bookkeeping business?

You can find additional information about each of these entities on the IRS website. In reality, even CPAs need a decent working computer and internet connection to calibrate proper data input on their archives. I appreciate your primer on your innovative online project, we could use your financial expertise for some help. 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. Get your free guide, business plan template, and cash flow forecast template to help you run your business and achieve your goals.

• A bookkeeper business is so flexible and perfect for stay at home moms and dads.
• And if you’re working remotely with your new clients and/or your team, there is just no replacing a video call.
• This could help you build credibility inside that segment, as well as help you hone your skills.
• It’s important to separate your business finances from your personal finances.
• Tim is a Certified QuickBooks Time Pro, QuickBooks ProAdvisor for both the Online and Desktop products, as well as a CPA with 25 years of experience.
• You can also create a business name for yourself and file a “Doing Business As” or “DBA” notice.