Bookkeeping

Everyone has their reasons for choosing one type of accounting software over another. After all, no two businesses are the same, just like no two bookkeepers are. That being said, there are many options available, and it’s worth looking into all of them – free ones like Wave, ZipBooks or paid ones, such as Quickbooks or FreshBooks. Certainly, price is a factor, and free can sound like a pretty good deal, but as the saying goes – “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Longevity While some free software options have been around a long time and are reliable to a certain extent, some aren’t. Others may even fail in the coming years. When you’re looking for a tool to record, store and report on the financial aspects of your business, you need to trust that this tool will be around for the long term. No one wants to open their inbox and get the news that their software is shutting shop or merging with another software provider, changing everything. Support When you need help ...

The gig economy is growing. The term gig, which was typically used when referring to musicians, has now become ubiquitous. While writers, artists and business consultants have been freelancing for years, recently more and more bookkeepers have been turning to freelance as well. Gone are the days of the standard nine-to-five routines while being tied to a cubicle or a desk. By becoming a freelance professional, bookkeepers can work flexible hours and from anywhere in the world. They can provide professional bookkeeping services remotely while being able to set their own rates and choose who they want to work with. It’s not surprising that many professionals have already made the switch or are in the process of doing so. Here’s how you too can become a freelance bookkeeper: Get the relevant education Getting a bookkeeping certification is one of the most effective ways to achieve success as a freelancer. Whether you have no experience or come with years of experience as a bookkeepe...

The blog will cover the reasons why businesses and entrepreneurs should hire a qualified, professional bookkeeper. Not doing so could result in a lot of avoidable problems. As a small business owner or entrepreneur, your hands are always full. From managing your employees to marketing, from business development to budgeting, there’s nothing that’s outside your purview. All this is great, however, multiple responsibilities can get overwhelming, making it easy for cracks to appear in critical areas of your business. Even a professional juggler can only handle so many tennis balls or clubs. One more and that may be their downfall. When it comes to your business, there’s no doubt that financial clarity is pertinent; a sort of a financial snapshot of money flowing in and out each day, week, month and year. Other things such as marketing, for example, can be put on the backburner, but not your finances. It’s the life-blood of your business. Lack of financial clarity can c...

Hope you enjoyed part one of How to Start your Bookkeeping Business , where we talked about conducting market research to find your competition, giving your business enough time to settle down, doing a bookkeeping course and getting certified, registering your business and creating your website. In this edition, we will discuss finding clients, positioning and marketing your business, amongst other things.   How to Find Clients One of the biggest concerns for any small business is whether they will find enough clients; whether they will be able to keep the business going? Even before optimizing your website to drive traffic, increasing your presence on social media or doing online ads, a great way to find clients is through networking. Start by asking friends and families for references. Reach out to personal contacts in person, via phone or email. Prepare a short, simple pitch to send out to people. Keep it short, to the point: tell them about your business, how...

Running your own bookkeeping business or practice may be for you if you don’t like working for an employer or being an in-house bookkeeper; if you want more flexibility and control over your work hours. Sure, starting your company comes with its own set of challenges – finding clients, setting up an office space, networking, promoting your business, and handling many other responsibilities  – but nothing beats being your own boss. If you’ve made up your mind and decided being an entrepreneur is your calling, here are some helpful tips to guide you on your way forward. Don’t Make a Hasty Decision You may have already spoken about your idea to your family and friends and might have received mixed reactions. Some may have encouraged you to march on, while others may have frowned and asked you, “Why do you want to give up such a nice, safe job? Do you know how many people would trade places with you in a heartbeat?” Both points of view are valid. This stat may please t...