I love that she pointed out that she’s gotten more clients from word-of-mouth than anything. I have definitely found this to be true for my business as well.

The other great point is the confidence to charge what you’re worth. This scripture has helped me out GREATLY in my confidence to set my prices:
“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good”~Proverbs 31:18
also stated like this
“She makes sure her dealings are profitable”-New Living Translation

Thanks, Ladies for this wonderful article!

Yes, if you want to do freelance bookkeeping, it is highly recommended that you become very familiar with QuickBooks software, since the vast majority of your clients will be using this software. You do not want to “fake it” with QuickBooks, even if it is user friendly, because it is a very powerful program. If you don’t use it correctly, you will ultimately create a mess. (I see CPAs who understand bookkeeping but not QuickBooks who have this problem!) So my advice is to take at least an online or local college class to learn to use QuickBooks well.

If anyone is willing to take me through the whole process I will be more than happy for your help.

I have been told that i need to know Quickbooks, is this a MUST thing too? Your advise is mostly welcomed.

As a business owner, you do need to get a business license from your local city, and you will need to check with your state to see if any additional license is required. In a couple states, you must be licensed do prepare taxes professionally (California is one of them).

Costs of licenses vary. Most city business licenses are rather inexpensive, but you really much check with your local government, because some can be as much as $300 (as it is here in Philadelphia).

If you need someone to do your taxes, you are in the same boat as most everyone else. You need to find a CPA, Enrolled Agent or professional tax preparer. But the good news for you if you are opening a bookkeeping service, is your tax preparer can become a referral source for your business.

~Gabrielle

I completely agree with Sylvia about the three most common mistakes new bookkeepers make. I would only elaborate on #1…

I think the reason new bookkeepers undercharge for their work is that they UNDERVALUE their own services. Since they are new, they feel insecure, so they charge less than what they are really worth because they lack the confidence to charge more.

I would encourage all new freelance bookkeepers to charge AT LEAST the market rate, if not more. I’ve found that a low rate = low caliber clients, while higher rates bring higher caliber clients. Higher caliber clients bring a lot of intangible benefits – they complain less, are more grateful, pay according to the terms, and do what you ask. They are just better all the way around.

Excellent post. Thanks.

Finding support and encouragement is a BIG reason I started this blog; it’s BECAUSE so many tend to be guarded that it is needed. I think it is self-defeating to isolate ourselves and “guard” our businesses too closely because the need for bookkeepers is HUGE! It’s the difference between a scarcity mindset and one of abundance.

From where I sit, it sure seems that we will serve ourselves and the small business community much more productively if we can use the synergy that comes from respectful and cooperative sharing. There’s plenty of work to go around (more than enough, actully), and we all bring different skills and specialties to the table. When you mix that with high integrity, we can’t lose!

We are stronger and more prosperous by working together!

That’s my soapbox and I’m determined to stand tall on it!

~Gabrielle