Hello! Today, I have an informative interview to share with you that will show you how to become a bookkeeper to earn money from home. I recently had the chance to interview Ben, founder of Bookkeeper Launch, who explains how becoming a bookkeeper may be a possibility for you.
Want to learn how to become a bookkeeper? Here’s how to make money bookkeeping from home and earn up to $40,000+ each year.
Plus, you can become a bookkeeper with or without a degree, and even work from home or while traveling.
My friend Ben helps people start and grow their own bookkeeping business with his online bookkeeping course. And guess what? You don’t have to be an accountant or have any previous experience in order to start freelance bookkeeping!
If you are looking for a new job or even just a side hustle, this may be something that you want to look into. Learning how to become a virtual bookkeeper can be a great career choice.
Check out the interview below for more information on how to make money by becoming a bookkeeper.
Also, you can sign up here for a free How To Become A Bookkeeper workshop which will teach you more about running your own virtual bookkeeping business and finding bookkeeping jobs.
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How to become a bookkeeper to earn money from home.
Please give us a little background on yourself.
I am a CPA – bean counter – by trade. For 14 years, I owned my own accounting firm. I loved helping business owners with their financial, accounting and tax needs.
However, I quickly discovered that all of the business owner’s needs – finance, accounting and tax – are all based off of solid bookkeeping. And you know what? Finding great bookkeepers to provide this service was near impossible.
Regular bookkeepers are a dime a dozen, but great bookkeepers – who truly have the business owner’s best-interest at heart – were so hard to find.
What is a bookkeeper?
Think of bookkeeping like caring for your household finances…but on steroids.
Every business is required (and should) track every dollar that comes into their business or goes out. In theory, this seems pretty darn easy. In practice, it just isn’t so.
Most entrepreneur / business owner types are excellent at what they do: carpentry, dentistry, carpet-cleaning…you name it. However, most of them are clueless when it comes to tracking their finances. Enter the bookkeeper.
The bookkeeper is the person business owners rely on for accurate financial information. Business owners want to be able to focus on what they are good at, and delegate the tasks they are not so good at. Bookkeeping is a prime example of a task that savvy business owners outsource to others.
Who are the typical clients for a bookkeeper?
Typical clients are small to medium-sized business owners who are in need of someone who can HELP them; someone who knows their stuff, is personable and has their back when it comes to bookkeeping.
My students are taught to focus on one or two industries in which they can become an expert bookkeeper.
By specializing in a particular industry, clients are much easier to find for my up-and-coming bookkeeper students.
How much can a new bookkeeper expect to make? How much can a person expect to make around one year after they start?
This is one of the most common questions I get asked. It really is 100% dependent upon how much effort, time and care one puts into starting and growing their own virtual bookkeeping business.
Bookkeeping is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. I half-jokingly say it’s a work-your-tail-off, rewarding, lifetime profession.
I teach my students to have goals, one of which is income. Some students want part-time / supplemental income; some want to replace full-time income. Either case is not only a possibility; it’s also simple.
Some students wish to earn $10,000 per year which is around 3-4 clients.
Some students wish to earn $40,000 per year which is around 12-16 clients.
In either scenario, this is doable within one year IF they work the blueprint we give them. But, I want to emphasize that earnings are 100% dependent upon how much effort, time and care the new bookkeeper invests into their business.
There is a short-term sacrifice that you make for a lifetime of benefit as a professional bookkeeper.
What specific steps does a person need to take in order to make money as a bookkeeper? How do I get started in bookkeeping?
First things first: they need to make sure, before they venture down this road, that bookkeeping is the right business for them. My free introductory class is meant to shed lots of light on the professional and business side of bookkeeping. Before investing a single dime or minute in pursuit of a bookkeeping business, one needs to make certain this is the right move.
After the student has made the determination that bookkeeping is a great fit, they need to get bookkeeping training. And, not just bookkeeping Xs and Os training; they need training on how to set up, market and grow their virtual bookkeeping business.
Our comprehensive course, Bookkeeper Launch, provides students with a turn-key solution to learning bookkeeping Xs and Os as well as the business and marketing side of the business.
Next, it’s up to the student to get to work doing the specific tasks we teach them. Bookkeeping should be marketed in a very specific manner. You can’t just hang a sign that says you’re a bookkeeper and expect a line of clients to form. You have to seek these clients. But, you never sell…you only educate your prospective clients.
What qualifications do I need to become a bookkeeper?
While no particular qualifications are needed, meaning you do not need a degree, there are specific abilities that are necessary to become a professional bookkeeper.
Independent thinking, have an “eagle-eye” with attention to detail, determination, you enjoy helping others, you are personable, and you are not afraid of numbers.
What are the positives and negatives of being a bookkeeper?
How much time do you have? 🙂 In all seriousness: there are so many positive aspects of being a bookkeeper AND running your own business.
For starters, you are truly helping business owners. You become their go-to person and that feels awesome.
Second, there is never a dull moment in bookkeeping. There are exciting challenges you face daily. If you like learning and developing a craft, like I do, then bookkeeping might be right up your alley.
Another positive is that you are a professional. Just like an accountant, attorney or consultant, your client sees you as someone whom they respect and rely upon. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to be in a highly respected profession.
The ability to work from home (or anywhere you choose) is great. You get to determine when you work, where you work and with whom you work.
And, of course, everyone wants to be their own boss! You get to be at all your kids events. You don’t have to ask for a day off…you just go!
As for negatives: sometimes it can be mentally challenging work. For me, this was a positive. For others, they see this as a negative. Also, as you progress with your bookkeeping business you will get busy; I mean super-busy if you want. You have to make sure you set up an efficient bookkeeping business to prevent you from going nuts-o!
What kind of training is needed to become a bookkeeper? Do you need to be an accountant? Can I teach myself bookkeeping?
You do NOT need to have any previous experience with accounting or bookkeeping. That’s another positive aspect of learning how to become a bookkeeper. Yes, that means that you can learn how to become a bookkeeper with no experience.
You DO need real-world training; training that shows how to serve multiple bookkeeping clients. Training that shows you how to WOW clients so that it’s a win for you as a self-employed bookkeeper and a win for your clients.
You do NOT need theoretical training that does not equip you to serve clients in real situations.
How do I start a career in bookkeeping? How do I get started in bookkeeping? How do I become a bookkeeper with no experience?
The world has changed drastically over the past decade which means you no longer have to go to a traditional college to learn to be a bookkeeper.
The Old Way: you had to learn the theory in a college or school, and then go out and get a job with somebody (a business or bookkeeping firm) to get the practical application. It used to take 18 months for learning theory, and then 2 years in a job.
Meaning you had to wait 3.5-4 years before you even get to running your own business. Even then, you didn’t have any experience with marketing, business skills, or client management.
The New Way (The Bookkeeper Launch Way): an online approach to teaching, where you learn only the minimum viable theory at your own pace, before moving into real-world application. Combined with a support community that guides you through your real-world problems, means you can learn the skills you need to get your first client in as little as 3 months.
How long does a bookkeeping course take? How long does it take to train to be a bookkeeper?
The entire Bookkeeper Launch course is over 60 hours long. Which includes both the bookkeeping lessons and business building lessons.
That may seem like a long time. However, if you were to complete the course in only 3 months, that will only take you 5 hours per week to get through the learning material.
How much does it cost to become a bookkeeper?
Oh, this is a GREAT benefit of becoming a bookkeeper. It does not cost a lot.
In fact, during my second free training class, I go over all the costs required to start and maintain your business on a monthly basis.
Spoiler alert: it’s not a lot. I know of no other business, which is professional, that you can start for as little as a bookkeeping business.
Is becoming a bookkeeper hard?
If you want to have your own business, choose your working hours, and work from wherever you want? Then you’re going to have to roll up your sleeves.
It’s not EASY…but Bookkeeper Launch is put together in the easiest way to follow possible.
So if you can put in the work, all you’ve got to do is listen to the modules, take notes, do the exercises, and take action…and within 3 to 6 months you can have a new income.
Can I work from home as a bookkeeper?
Absolutely!
As a digital bookkeeping business owner, you can work from home or anywhere you have access to reliable internet.
How do I market myself as a bookkeeper?
This is one of the best advantages of going through Bookkeeper Launch, versus school or any other option. You get a step-by-step process to attract new clients FAST. You’ll learn how to market yourself, find a niche you enjoy working in, and develop a pipeline of high-quality, well-paying clients. Most of our students find their first clients in under 6 months, depending on the time and effort they’re able to dedicate to the program.
As a bookkeeper, you don’t have to do much selling or promoting. No ninja-sales-techniques are required here. Getting new clients is as simple as meeting a business owner and letting them know what you do, a term we like to refer to as “yakkity-yak”, along with platforms such as LinkedIn, local BNI groups, and databases such as QuickBooks ProAdvisor.
Lastly, are there any other tips that you have for someone who wants to try becoming a bookkeeper?
As mentioned before: do your homework BEFORE you make a go at a bookkeeping business. Make certain it’s a business worth your time and financial investment.
After you’ve done your due diligence, commit to being a success. No turning back! Leave yourself no other option but to be a hit with your business.
Now, I know you offer an online bookkeeping course to help others become successful bookkeepers. What can a person learn from your classes?
I designed these classes to help people determine for themselves if a bookkeeping business is right for them.
The first class gives an overview of the 7 key characteristics great bookkeepers share. It also covers your earning potential as a bookkeeper and what separates a great bookkeeper from an average bookkeeper.
The second class covers the exact tools and technology you need, the costs to start and maintain the business and – most important – the mindset you need.
The third and final class covers how to market your bookkeeping business to get clients (even if you hate sales like I do).
Also, you can sign up here for the free series that will teach you more about running your own virtual bookkeeping business and how to become a bookkeeper online.
Recommended reading: Bookkeeper Launch Review: Is This Course Worth It?
How to become a bookkeeper
I hope you enjoyed today’s interview on how to become a bookkeeper.
As a recap, as a bookkeeper you may be completing tasks for businesses such as:
- Recording receipts and expenses
- Creating financial reports and financial statements
- Organizing financial data
- Submit payroll
- Managing invoices
- Recording sales
- Recording financial transactions
- Maintaining financial records
And more.
You can earn up to $40,000 or more working from home as a bookkeeper, and you have the ability to set your own rates, work for as many or as little clients as you want. The specific salaries of a bookkeeper varies, as you are in charge of your own business!
Plus, you do not need a degree or bookkeeping certifications in order to become a bookkeeper. There is no specific bookkeeping exam in order to become a certified bookkeeper, as this is a skill that you can learn at home with online training (such as the training I’ve mentioned throughout this article). There are many helpful resources that can help you to learn the specific bookkeeping skills, such as Bookkeeper Launch. You will most likely want to take some sort of bookkeeper training and have some basic math skills, though, so that you know what tasks you need to understand how to do.
There are many pros to becoming a bookkeeper, such as being your own boss, being able to work from home, having a more flexible schedule, the ability to choose your clients, and, of course, earning an income.
There are many, many remote bookkeeping jobs out there, and the demand will continue to grow. As a bookkeeper, you may be working for a small business, a local business, completely virtual, and so on. You get to choose your own clients so it is up to you. Some may not care if you only have a high school degree or GED, whereas some may want you to have a bachelor’s degree. If you are an aspiring bookkeeper, then there are many different options for you.
If you enjoy paying extra attention to detail and organizing numbers, starting your own bookkeeping business can be a great way to earn money from home.
I highly recommend signing up here for the free How To Become A Bookkeeper workshop. This free workshop will teach you how to become a bookkeeper and start your own virtual bookkeeping business.
I also recommend reading Online Bookkeeping Jobs: Learn How To Get Started Today.
Are you interested in working from home and learning how to become a bookkeeper? Does learning how to become a bookkeeper interest you?
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