| | | | | a few good clients and live exclusively off their |
| The key to learning how to start a successful | | | | part-time income. Some bookkeepers even provide |
| bookkeeping business is knowledge. If you have the | | | | tax services to their clients in addition to regular |
| skills to be a full-charge bookkeeper, you can easily | | | | monthly bookkeeping, because tax preparation is so |
| start a freelance or home-based bookkeeping | | | | much easier when you have a client's books in order. |
| business. Even if you already work for a regular | | | | There are numerous resources on the internet, and a |
| employer, you can easily market your skills to other | | | | few good books out there for bookkeepers just |
| businesses and generate freelance income. The US | | | | starting out in the business. For someone who has little |
| Department of Labor; Occupational Outlook Handbook, | | | | experience, a good place to start would be a local |
| states: | | | | college course. Community colleges offer introductory |
| | | | | bookkeeping courses that are informative and cheap. |
| "Demand for full-charge bookkeepers is expected to | | | | Most of the time, you can take the courses online, and |
| increase as they are called upon to do much of the | | | | many community colleges offer certificate programs |
| work of accountants. Those with several years of | | | | that you can finish in a year. |
| accounting or bookkeeper certification will have the | | | | Most business owners have no way of evaluating a |
| best job prospects." | | | | bookkeeper, so it is a good idea to consider |
| | | | | certification. You can consider becoming a Certified |
| According to HR Magazine, 35% of America's largest | | | | Bookkeeper through the American Institute of |
| businesses outsource bookkeeping, and the | | | | Professional Bookkeepers (The AIPB). There is no |
| percentage is growing. The shortage of experienced | | | | degree requirement, but you must pass a four-part |
| bookkeepers is apparent on every posting classified | | | | exam. Certification ensures that the bookkeeper has |
| website. Classified ads in every newspaper usually | | | | proven skills and knowledge in the field of bookkeeping. |
| show multiple posts for experienced bookkeepers. | | | | The exam even includes a section on fraud prevention. |
| Even if you only have a few years of experience, or a | | | | For certification, exam candidates must have at least |
| few college courses in accounting or bookkeeping, you | | | | two years of bookkeeping experience, pass the exam, |
| can probably obtain an entry-level position as a | | | | and agree to adhere to a code of ethics. |
| bookkeeper. | | | | Bookkeepers that pass this certification program enjoy |
| Bookkeeping is an easy business to start at home. | | | | greater respect and higher pay. The Department of |
| Working just 20 hours a week can generate a nice | | | | Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook |
| income, and many professional bookkeepers establish | | | | Handbook, recommends certification for bookkeepers. |