How to Start a Bookkeeping Business

So, which of these methods should you use in your bookkeeping to get the best, most accurate picture of your spending habits? Take the time to organize your records, whether that means buying a filing cabinet or breaking out the label maker. Saving your records in the cloud also ensures that they’re easily accessible in a digital format from any device. Making sure your records are well-organized can save you a big headache if you’re ever subjected to an audit. Once you’ve settled on a business name, you’ll need to register your business in the state in which you will do business. You want your business name to reflect you as a person and the type of services you provide.

Bookkeepers are not required to have certifications or specific education unless required by a specific employer. However, completing a bookkeeping certification program can teach you basic accounting and how to perform bookkeeping tasks and has the potential to set you apart from other bookkeepers. They ensure that business financial records are up-to-date and accurate, and this helps companies make financial decisions and focus on growing their business and focus on growing their business. Therefore, there are often opportunities opening up for in-house bookkeepers, remote bookkeepers, or freelance bookkeepers. Payroll management can fall under the umbrella of human resources, get outsourced to a third party or be managed by a company’s finance department.

The Importance of Bookkeeping in a Small Business

You can read more about our ratings for various business accounting software here. You should be familiar with more than one software as some of your clients may have a preference in terms of the accounting software that they’d like you to use. It’s not compulsory, but you might want to look into insurance for your bookkeeping business. Common business insurance policies for bookkeepers include things such as professional liability and general liability. Regardless of the type of business you run, all business owners should write a business plan.

That way, you can be well prepared when it’s time to file taxes with the IRS. Without any hiccups or last-minute scrambles, you’ll be able to enter tax season confidently. Double-entry bookkeeping is the practice of recording transactions in at least two accounts, as a debit or credit. When following this method of bookkeeping, the amounts of debits recorded must match the amounts of credits recorded. This more advanced process is ideal for enterprises with accrued expenses.

Recording Transactions

The skills needed to become a successful bookkeeper are often acquired through working in a career in the finance industry or even by balancing your personal budgets. Many bookkeepers hone and develop their business bookkeeping expertise over time while others opt to complete seminars, read books or take online classes. However, it’s important to note that your bookkeeper won’t be the only person working on your business finances.

If you use cash accounting, you record your transaction when cash changes hands. When first starting out, market yourself as a professional who is well-versed in managing accounts, reconciling transactions, providing financial overviews and balancing budgets. Ask for testimonials from people who have utilized your services in the past and spread the word about your offerings through a website or social media. While any competent employee can handle bookkeeping, accounting is typically handled by a licensed professional.

Intuit Academy Bookkeeping

There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Access all Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business. You will want to do your research before pricing your services, and you will also want to maintain some level of flexibility to adjust your rates in the future. Once you’ve picked a business name, the next step is to register your business and make things official. The exact process will vary depending on how you plan on structuring your business and where you’re planning to do business. You’ll want to look up the exact rules for how to register your business with your secretary of state’s office.

• But how do these job duties translate as benefits for your business?
• Bookkeepers are essential for other businesses to thrive, making sure that they’re keeping track of their financials correctly and on the right track to grow.
• Now that you’ve balanced your books, you need to take a closer look at what those books mean.
• Your business name is the first thing that lets customers, clients, competitors and others in the marketplace know about who you are and what you do.
• A platform like FreshBooks, specifically designed for small business owners, can be transformational.

The AIPB reports that 54% of its certified bookkeepers got a new job promotion or higher-level responsibilities after earning their credentials. Fifty-nine percent said they received a raise, and https://www.bookstime.com/articles/cryptocurrency-accounting freelance certified bookkeepers said they were able to gain new clients and raise their rates. When comparing accountants and bookkeepers, know that an accountant may also be a bookkeeper.

Overview: What is bookkeeping?

Make sure to tackle your books when your mind is fresh and engaged—say, at the start of the day before you open your doors rather than late at night, after you’ve closed up shop. You want to be at your best when you’re looking at figures that explain your business’s profitability and help you chart a course for progress. Using a spreadsheet is the cheapest option, especially if you use Google Sheets rather than Microsoft Excel, which costs a monthly fee. However, general ledgers can get complicated if you’re trying to juggle multiple accounts. This is particularly true once the business accounts for its operational costs and recurring expenses.

• Here’s a crash course on small-business bookkeeping and how to get started.
• Effective bookkeeping requires an understanding of the firm’s basic accounts.
• Many bookkeepers hone and develop their expertise over time while others opt to complete seminars, read books or take online classes.
• You check your financial records and find that business has been slower this year, and your estimated net taxes owed will only be $2,900 this year.
• Even if you aren’t planning on growing any time soon, you need to have a sense of how much money is coming in versus what is going out.