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62 ⎸ Starting a Bookkeeping Business in 2022

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Starting a Bookkeeping Business in 2022

I recently connected with someone online who wants to start her bookkeeping business in the future, but still needs to build some skills. I also had a request a while back from someone in my DMs about covering the topic of contracting with other firms, CPAs, or bookkeepers. So in today’s blog, I’m going to cover just that: the upsides and the downsides, but also…. what you need to know about starting a Bookkeeping Business in 2022.

So if you find yourself wondering should I contract with a more established firm to gain experience or even just to supplement revenue, this one is for you.

If you came from a corporate background or working as an internal bookkeeper for a company, you might be wondering what all is involved in going out on your own.

Yes, there’s a lot to think about, but you don’t have to recreate the wheel. I’ve already done that for you. That’s why I created the Bookkeeping Business Accelerator: for folks just like you who already have the foundations of accounting, you just need help translating that to working with small business clients and of course, the whole… building a business part.

 ✍🏻 Side note: if you’re reading this in August 2022, BBA is on sale for $497 off the regular price through the end of august. just use code: BACKTOSCHOOL at checkout when you go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba

If I had to do it all over, here’s what I would do:

Start with selecting a niche right away

This seems counterintuitive when you want to get experience, but it’s easier than firing clients down the road. It’s also less you have to learn, about industries, softwares, etc, so you aren’t stretched thin learning #allthethings.

It helps you focus your marketing efforts: you can write or publish specific content for that niche (youtube, podcast, blog, and use local hashtags on platforms like Instagram.

Decide on the services I want to offer right away & don’t sway

It’s really common to fall into the trap of saying yes to whatever potential clients need, just to land them. But I promise… if you don’t define the services you actually WANT to offer from the get go, you will end up resenting your client that you said yes to filing sales tax or paying their bills.

Deciding on your services creates boundaries FOR YOU more than anyone else.

Now, if you aren’t as experienced in accounting or bookkeeping but you’re currently taking a course like Bookkeeper Launch or Become a Bookkeeper (both are affiliate links) or finishing up your accounting degree in college and you know eventually you want to start your own thing… and choosing a niche sounds scary because you’re not sure you know enough about accounting or business in general,

Decide on ONE software stack (look to see what your niche is using) and SPECIALIZE

  • ONE payroll service (we use Gusto)
  • ONE Bookkeeping Software (we use Xero)
  • ONE receipt capture tool (we use Hubdoc, because it’s included with Xero)
  • ONE Sales tax solution or billpay tool if you decide to offer these services. We use TaxJar and we don’t offer billpay. If I did, I would require Relay Bank for bill pay.

All of these things I cover inside of BBA and can help you nail down your niche, service offerings (and pricing) and your software specialization.

Contracting with another bookkeeper or agency might be the way to go

You may decide to work with CPA or agency as a subcontractor.

Here are the upsides:

  • Not having to deal with being client-facing
  • Your name isn’t on anything
  • The firm you’re contracting with handles the expenses (marketing, software, etc.)

Here are the downsides:

  • You only get % of revenue
  • You don’t get to interact with the client
  • You can’t dictate your own processes/software stack

Here’s an alternative:

Work as referral partner with the firm, CPA, or another bookkeeper. This gives you more control and more of revenue. But, you end up with more risk and less support if you need guidance.

This is when it’s important to be a part of a community that you can trust and lean on: a biz bestie, a mastermind, or close-knit cohort of a program. I’m constantly sharing referrals inside of my student groups, when clients aren’t within our niche or software specialization & they don’t want to switch.

Once again, my shameless plug for signature program: The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator® or our newest program: Elevate—where I teach in a small group format how to build your skills and deliver advisory services. Both come with a community of other really amazing and ambitious bookkeepers.

Find & Follow

Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper

Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup

Connect of Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

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