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Essential Gear for Bookkeepers
- Laptop Stand with Cooling Fan - Ergonomic setup for long work sessions
- Mechanical Keyboard - Comfortable typing for writers and VAs
- 1080p HD Webcam - Professional video calls with clients
- Ring Light with Stand - Better lighting for video meetings
Why Bookkeeping Is a Perfect Side Hustle
Every business needs bookkeeping, but most small business owners hate doing it. That's where you come in. As a virtual bookkeeper, you help businesses track income, manage expenses, and keep their finances organized - all from your home computer.
Unlike many side hustles with unpredictable income, bookkeeping clients pay monthly retainers. Once you land a client, they typically stay for years. It's one of the most stable, recession-resistant side hustles you can start.
Why Bookkeeping in 2026
- ✔ 33 million small businesses in the US need bookkeeping help
- ✔ Cloud software makes remote work seamless
- ✔ Recurring revenue - clients pay monthly
- ✔ No degree required - certifications help but aren't mandatory
- ✔ Flexible hours - work when it fits your schedule
The Bookkeeping Advantage
$0-$500
Startup Cost
90%+
Client Retention Rate
$30-80/hr
Typical Hourly Rate
Income Potential & Pricing
Beginner (0-6 months)
$500 - $2,000/mo
5-10 hours/week
- • 2-5 small clients
- • $200-400/client/month
- • Basic transaction recording
- • Bank reconciliation
Intermediate (6-18 months)
$2,000 - $5,000/mo
10-20 hours/week
- • 5-12 clients
- • $400-800/client/month
- • Full-service bookkeeping
- • Monthly financial reports
Advanced (18+ months)
$5,000 - $10,000/mo
20-30 hours/week
- • 10-20 clients
- • Higher-value clients
- • Advisory services
- • Payroll, A/R, A/P
Full-Time Business
$10,000+/mo
Full-time
- • 20-40+ clients
- • Team/contractors
- • Premium services
- • CFO/controller services
Typical Pricing Models
| Service | Beginner Rate | Experienced Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Monthly Bookkeeping | $200-$400/mo | $500-$1,000/mo |
| Full-Service (with reports) | $400-$600/mo | $800-$1,500/mo |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping | $50-$75/hour | $75-$150/hour |
| Payroll Processing | $50-$100/mo | $100-$300/mo |
| QuickBooks Setup | $200-$500 | $500-$1,500 |
Bookkeeping Services You Can Offer
Core Bookkeeping Services
- • Transaction recording - Categorize income & expenses
- • Bank reconciliation - Match records to bank statements
- • Accounts receivable - Track customer invoices
- • Accounts payable - Manage vendor bills
- • Financial reports - P&L, balance sheet, cash flow
- • Month-end close - Finalize monthly records
- • Year-end prep - Get files ready for tax season
- • 1099 preparation - Track contractor payments
Add-On Services (Higher Revenue)
- • Payroll processing - Run payroll, file taxes
- • Invoicing - Send invoices, follow up on payments
- • Bill pay - Pay vendor bills on their behalf
- • Software setup - QuickBooks setup & training
- • Catch-up bookkeeping - Fix messy books
- • Budget tracking - Compare actual vs. budget
Premium Services (Expert Level)
- • Fractional CFO - Strategic financial guidance ($1,000-$5,000/mo)
- • Cash flow forecasting - Project future cash needs
- • KPI dashboards - Build custom financial dashboards
- • Controller services - Oversee entire accounting function
Getting Started: Skills & Training
Essential Skills
Technical Skills
- • QuickBooks Online (most important)
- • Basic accounting principles
- • Spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets)
- • Bank reconciliation
Soft Skills
- • Attention to detail
- • Organization
- • Client communication
- • Confidentiality
Training Options
Free Resources
- • QuickBooks tutorials (YouTube)
- • Intuit training courses
- • AccountingCoach.com
- • Khan Academy
Certifications
- • QuickBooks ProAdvisor (free)
- • Xero Certification (free)
- • AIPB Bookkeeper Cert ($500)
- • NACPB License ($500)
Paid Courses
- • Bookkeeper Business Launch
- • Bookkeepers.com
- • Udemy courses ($20-$100)
- • LinkedIn Learning
Fastest Path to First Client
- Week 1-2: Complete QuickBooks Online tutorials
- Week 3-4: Get QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification (free)
- Week 5-6: Practice with sample company files
- Week 7-8: Start outreach - land your first client
Essential Software & Tools
Accounting Software
-
1
QuickBooks Online - Industry standard, most clients use it
$30-200/mo (client pays)
-
2
Xero - Popular alternative, clean interface
$15-70/mo (client pays)
-
3
Wave - Free option for very small businesses
Free
Business Tools
-
✔
HubDoc/Dext - Document management
-
✔
Gusto/ADP - Payroll processing
-
✔
Loom - Screen recording for client training
-
✔
Practice Ignition/HoneyBook - Proposals & contracts
Finding Your First Clients
Best First Clients
- ✔ Your network - Friends/family with businesses
- ✔ Local small businesses - Restaurants, contractors, shops
- ✔ Online businesses - E-commerce, coaches, freelancers
- ✔ CPA referrals - CPAs outsource bookkeeping
Where to Find Clients
- ✔ Upwork - Build reviews with initial projects
- ✔ Facebook groups - Small business owner communities
- ✔ LinkedIn - Connect with entrepreneurs
- ✔ Local networking - Chamber of commerce, BNI
Outreach Template
Hi [Name],
I noticed you run [Business Name] - congrats on what you've built! I'm a bookkeeper who specializes in helping [industry] businesses stay on top of their finances.
Are you currently working with a bookkeeper? I'd love to chat about how I might be able to help you save time and stress around tax season.
Let me know if you'd be open to a quick call!
Setting Up Your Workflow
Monthly Client Workflow
Gather bank/credit card statements
Categorize transactions
Reconcile accounts
Deliver reports to client
Pro Tips for Efficiency
- ✔ Set up bank feeds in QuickBooks for automatic imports
- ✔ Create rules for recurring transactions
- ✔ Batch similar tasks across clients (all reconciliations at once)
- ✔ Use Loom videos instead of long email explanations
Scaling Your Bookkeeping Business
1. Increase Prices for New Clients
Raise rates 10-20% every 6 months for new clients. As you gain experience, your time becomes more valuable. Existing clients can be grandfathered or given smaller increases.
2. Add Higher-Value Services
Move beyond basic bookkeeping: payroll, financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, advisory services. Higher-value services = higher prices without more hours.
3. Hire Help
Once at 15-20 clients, hire a part-time bookkeeper ($15-25/hour) to handle basic data entry. You focus on client relationships and complex work.
4. Partner with CPAs
Build relationships with local CPAs. They often have clients who need bookkeeping but don't want to do it themselves. Great source of referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Bookkeeping Side Hustle?
Get QuickBooks ProAdvisor certified this week (it's free!) and start reaching out to potential clients.