6 Steps to Start a Bookkeeping Business

how to start a bookkeeping business

To understand what might work for you check out this helpful post about best business structure from FitSmallBusiness.com. Starting your bookkeeping business costs a lot less than you might expect. Stay informed about changes in financial regulations and tax laws that could impact your clients. Continuous education is key to providing knowledgeable advice and maintaining your professional reputation. The Accounting For Architects content of this page is for general informational purposes only. It should not be relied on as legal, tax, insurance, financial, or other professional advice and is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, current, reliable, or error-free.

  • Depending on your training, certification, and experience you’ll learn to navigate different strategies and dial in what will help your company succeed.
  • File with the state or local government the name under which your business is to be run.
  • Individuals who are successful bookkeeping professionals are highly organized, can balance ledgers accurately, have an eye for detail and are excellent communicators.
  • FinOptimal’s managed accounting services can help you ensure your financial data is both accurate and reliable.
  • However, the borrower must pay off the loan in six to 18 months with interest that averages around 8% to 13%.
  • Perhaps you want to convey a sense of creativity, reliability, or fun.

Step Four: Create a Business Website

Conversely, an accountant analyzes the financial information recorded by bookkeepers to offer insights and strategies for improving business operations. If you’re considering becoming a bookkeeper, read our guide to learn how to start a bookkeeping business in 2025. Accurate bookkeeping is essential for startups because it provides a clear understanding of their financial performance. This clarity is crucial for making informed business decisions, securing funding from investors, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. Think of your financial records as a roadmap—they guide your growth and help you avoid potential pitfalls. When you start looking for funding, investors will conduct due diligence—a deep dive into your financials.

how to start a bookkeeping business

How To Start A Bookkeeping Business

Leveraging search engine optimization (SEO) can help potential clients find your services more easily. Consider offering free workshops or webinars to showcase your expertise and gather leads. Referral incentives for existing clients can also be a powerful tool to gain new business. Balance value-based pricing models with various tiers of service levels, help attract clients that align with your firm’s capabilities and capacity.

how to start a bookkeeping business

Proficiency and Experience

To help determine your niche, you should also research the market to determine what bookkeeping businesses are already established and which industries they serve. You can start a bookkeeping business in any state but licensing and registration requirements can vary from one place to another. As such, it’s important to check with your local or state government for any specific licensing or registration requirements applicable to bookkeeping business in your area. Now it’s time to decide how you’ll charge for your bookkeeping services. Keep in mind that your business structure will have a big impact on your day-to-day operations, taxes and personal liability if something goes wrong, so choose wisely.

Step 4: Choose the Structure of Your Bookkeeping Business

how to start a bookkeeping business

Use your personal network, professional network, and—when you start to get them—client referrals to spread the word about your business in your local community and beyond. Naturally, you want to spend the majority of your time serving clients. However, you need to know how to attract and land bookkeeping clients. If you want to start a bookkeeping business, previous experience as a CPA or bookkeeper is essential. Every business has a regular flow of financial statements, balance sheets, bank statements, and other bookkeeping and payroll services financial documents to keep in check—and most business owners need help to do so. Annual profits of bookkeeping businesses vary, however, you can make anywhere from $10,000 to several million dollars a year.

Understand your funding options

Karbon ain’t cheap, but it’s certainly slick and very popular with certified public accounting firms & bookkeeping teams. Great news, because this step-by-step guide will cover the critical 7 steps you’ll need to follow to set up a modern bookkeeping practice and to land your first clients. If you follow the above steps, you will be sure of beginning to run a profitable bookkeeping business.

  • Running a bookkeeping business is a highly flexible and autonomous career, and the barrier to entry is relatively low compared to other business ventures — but more on that later.
  • Think of it as a roadmap or blueprint for your business, detailing your vision and goals and the strategies you’ll use to achieve them.
  • When it comes to running a successful business, keeping accurate financial records is non-negotiable.
  • Bench Accounting offers helpful resources on managing finances for startups.
  • Accurate and organized record-keeping of an organization’s finances is essential to its health and stability.

They help small-business owners get a handle on their cash flow — one of the most important barometers for a healthy business. They will also often help businesses produce crucial financial statements such as the profit and loss statement and balance sheet. Keep everything—receipts, bank statements, invoices, and any other financial documents—for at least three years, and sometimes even longer.

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