Anyone had experience doing bookkeeping from home?

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

The more I think about it, the more it sounds like a GREAT idea - doing bookkeeping for small businesses from home. I have the experience, I have the software, and I'm really not interested and not even sure I'm capable of going back into the workforce at the moment.

Has anyone done this, or does anyone USE a bookkeeper in this capacity? I'm looking for any info, how much you charge, how you went about starting up, the hours you do...anything at all

[indie24]

I haven't had experience but I do have a friend who does this. She started initially with one client and last time I spoke to her she had 6 clients.
Sorry I don't have anymore details than that. Just wanted you to know it is possible

[Sopdet]

Talk to small accountancy practices as well. My accountant has a couple of bookkeepers he suggests for his clients because he doesn't offer bookkeeping as a service but expects his clients to have their books done properly.

[PumpkinZulu]

Talk to small accountancy practices as well. My accountant has a couple of bookkeepers he suggests for his clients because he doesn't offer bookkeeping as a service but expects his clients to have their books done properly.

This! DH is a qualified bookkeeper and has done a few jobs here and there (but not anything consistent, as he's got his job and studying for his bachelors) and speaking to accountants in your area would be a good start.

[Astrid]

Yes, have done it in the past. These days you need to have the right bits of paper and insurance unless you are working direct through an Accountant. I think you need a Cert 4 in finance at least to be able to practice and it is a good idea to go to the Austwide Taxation/Payroll Course (they issue the fabulous blue book every year, which is so useful for anyone doing accounts). Check out the ATO site for bookkeepers:
Bookkeepers - home

It is a tough gig getting the clients. A lot of small business either don't want to pay what you are worth, even though you can do it in less than half the time it would take them, or they have a "thing" about others knowing their business. I found an accountant who was happy to refer to bookkeepers and he got me my main ones. Once you get going (the hard part), then it is easier to find clients. Get to know some other bookkeepers, sometimes they pass on clients if they are too busy to take them on.

[Jakabella]

I'm about to start my bookkeeping course next week, so I would be interested in how you get on..
I have worked in admin for 10+ years now so I'm confident in what I'm doing but I'm doing this course for our bussiness (my husband is a photographer) so I'm up to speed and do it all right.

[LionsandBears]

Make sure you have the BAS registration thing. I worked for an accountant and we would only refer bookkeepers who had that qualification. Actually, we preferred bookkeepers who were trained accountants, as they made sure the data was presented in a way that made the accountants' jobs easier and cost the clients less.

Talking with accountants would be the best bet. Learn how to choose your clients too. You dont want clients who dont pay their bills.

[Astrid]

Make sure you have the BAS registration thing. I worked for an accountant and we would only refer bookkeepers who had that qualification. Actually, we preferred bookkeepers who were trained accountants, as they made sure the data was presented in a way that made the accountants' jobs easier and cost the clients less.
.

Good point, I have a corporate accounting background and am just 4 subjects short of the full blown degree. I found my bookkeeping was quite different to those who just trained as a bookkeeper. I dealt a lot with those who had just done a MYOB course then ran out and set-up a business (this was before the ATO requirements came in). I have been paid in the past to clean up what they leave behind.

Just another tip, be flexible with the packages you use. They are not hugely different to each other, the main thing is learning how each business wants their books done, based on their business structure and what they do. If you have no experience in one in either QB or MYOB, get their trail software and have a look around to familiarise yourself.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I only really have experience in MYOB, it's the only package I've used in the past 4 years. I'll download Quickbooks and check it out, thanks for the tip

I found an online course through Seek, Cert 4 Bookkeeping, which I think would be the best one. They also recognise prior learning, so hopefully that'll chop a fair amount off. My only problem is gonna be paying for it, it's almost $3k Definitely worth it, and I know I can claim it back, but it's a question of HAVING it in the first place!

That's a great idea about approaching accountants. I'll already have a couple of clients when I start up, because I'll still need to be doing the books for my current employer, at least for the rest of the tax year, and I'm hopefully going to become treasurer of a nonprofit organisation - it won't be paid, but it all adds up on the CV

I'm getting really excited about this!