How do I set up a bookkeeping business from my home?
vtownowl1 asked:
I am just about to get a certificate in bookkeeping, and I want to know exactly how do I set up a business keeping the books for other businesses. Do I keep all of the historical documents, and invoices or do I go to their business and do the books from there.
Heath
I am just about to get a certificate in bookkeeping, and I want to know exactly how do I set up a business keeping the books for other businesses. Do I keep all of the historical documents, and invoices or do I go to their business and do the books from there.
Heath
go to the city hall and get a business license.
you can do it either way, as a bookkeeper, you may or may not be full charge depending on the sensitivity and paranoia of the owner of the business. certainly you have to keep copies of what you do for them so you can back up your figures or answer questions regarding your work or be able to research or recheck your entries. actual historical documents should be stored at their place of business. documents you generate should be stored at yours and copied to them. some will want you to come to them, others will want to pick up and drop stuff off. you will need a laptop at least, and maybe a desktop PC too.
it may be to your advantage to canvas your potential clients to learn which accounting software they are using so you have training on compatible software .. to research going rates, call around to similar businesses and ask them what they will charge to do your books and if they do full charge and also sub accounts only, like AR/AP, Payroll, Audits, Billing, etc. once you get started, dont take on more than you can comfortably handle and you will soon find that your clients will be your best advertisers (”who does your books?” is often asked when business owners or startups get together - you want to have a good reputation) if you take on too much, you will be overwhelmed and your accuracy will suffer. grow your business smart not fast