(Photo Credit: The Win A News)
With the cost of childcare so high, more people are finding ways to have a home-based career, allowing them to provide for their families while still being home and available to them. If you have an affinity for mathematics and numbers and you’re organized and self-motivated, bookkeeping might be the perfect solution for you. It can be a career that ensures you can put food on the table while still being there to meet the needs of your family.
Why Bookkeeping is an Excellent Home Business
Starting a bookkeeping business from home is ideal, as it requires very little space and few overheads, so working from home is no challenge at all. Using your residence to run your business will ensure overhead costs remain minimal. More of your income will go into your wallet rather than being spent on business expenses.
To set up shop, all that is needed is a small amount of desk space, a computer, internet access, a telephone (either mobile or landline) and a handful of clients. Once you have the basics sorted, you’re up and running and the possibilities are limitless. Although it is a good idea, a home-based bookkeeping business does not even require space in the home for meeting clients, as that can be done away from the home at a public place or the client’s location.
Being a self-employed bookkeeper can offer ideal flexible work hours, making it easy to work around your family obligations and commitments.
Required Education and Certification
If you’re not already involved in bookkeeping as a career, it might be necessary to update or acquire the necessary qualifications. You must also decide if you will be doing BAS (Business Activity Statements) because, if so, you’ll have to complete specific qualifications for this as well. Certificate Level IV in bookkeeping is required as well as 1,400 work hours.
People looking to become a certified bookkeeper from home may want to consider getting their credentials from home. They can do this by completing a reputable online bookkeeping course. This can help to keep the costs to a minimum and you can work at your own pace. Completing the courses online will keep you home with your family, which was the original goal in the first place.
Business Activity Statements Agent
An excellent way to expand upon your business idea, increase your fees and generate more income with the same amount of work is to consider becoming a BAS agent. Any bookkeeper that wishes to handle Business Activity Statements has to meet specific requirements that include a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping or accounting and a minimum of 1,400 hours experience.
Consider all available qualifications as goals, as they will make you a knowledgeable, reliable and reputable bookkeeper.
Tips to Ensure Home Business Success
To ensure your business will be a success, and you will be able to remain at home with your loved ones, be sure to stay abreast of new software and training. It’s vital that you’re knowledgeable about the latest innovations to offer the best possible service to your customers. Your clients will expect you to have provide them with the best service and this comes through ensuring you’re employing the most sophisticated and current resources and practices. Clients are only likely to place their trust willingly in somebody who is as knowledgeable as possible about their trade, so make sure you fit this criteria for the greatest chance of success.
Before beginning, be sure to develop a strong business plan that will outline the expenses of running the business so you will be aware of how many clients you will need to earn your desired income. This should include the costs of certifications, training and software.
A good bookkeeper has a sound knowledge of tax laws as they pertain directly to the profession.
If you need help a business plan developed for an economic price, or you need help with improving your business, contact Paideia Realized, Inc. at paideiarealized@gmail.com.
Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Revolutionary Paideia 