Accounting Consultant
This is one profession where you can take the business home. A professional accountat can choose from which location and during what hours they decide to work. Client appointements often occure at times that are most convenient to the client. As a home-based accountant/bookkeeper you will be able to set your schedule and provide excellent service while accomodating both yours and your clients needs. If you have attained the designation CPA - Certified Public Accountant then you will be able to provide tax assistance including planning and all the final preparation of forms. You can assist small businesses with financial data, reporting, providing billing and payroll servicess. it is not uncommon today for a CPA to diversify and offer finanacial services and financial planning and consulting services as well.
As an accountant/bookkeeper you will be very comfortable with juggling numbers. It is your job to be extremely organized mehtodical, and precise. You must be honest, discreet and trustworthy if you are to be allowed to view the internal information of a company. Your clients will depend on you as one of their closest advisors. They will only hire you if they believe you will be a worthwhile member of their team. You must keep up to date on the latest rules and regulations and be confident to institute these changes. As a CPA you must be well-versed in accounting practices and principles, know the laws. You may want to specialize in a group or industry that you have intimate knowledge about. The increase in women-owned businesses is a wonderful area for a woman CPA to target - just helping women with their small business needs.
You will need to be comfortable with the latest application software on the market and specifically a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel or specialized accounting software such as Peachtree Accounting or products from PeopleSoft. You will need a computer, fine printer, fax and fast Internet connection. Work from home requires you to replicate a similar workstation that you would find in an accountant's office. If you do not have the space to greet clients at home that is alright but make your environment comfortable and organized with the technology available to get the job done.
Ah this is the million dollar question and one of the biggest roadblocks for many small business owners. You must begin by beginning. That sounds foolish but it is the truth. Just as pants go on one leg at a time so does a business evolve. You can either start by jumping in feet first by investing money up front and opening doors by advertising in a local paper or trade publication or you can wade in slowly with offering your services to an acquaintance or friend and then taking on one client at a time through either networking or word of mouth. It is up to you. Envision where you want your company to go. Do you see yourself expanding or are you working from home to have flexible hours and less-stressful work environment. Be realistic - don't bite off more than you can chew.
Attracting will require time and expense every week. Make the most of your advertising dollars by evaluating ways to get to your target market directly. There are many ways to get your name into the community. What do you enjoy and have a passion for? Do you have a charity or event you might like to sponsor? Place an advertisement in their flyer. You will be doing a service as well as attracting people that have a similar interest as you. Join a networking group that you would enjoy. When people get to know and trust you they will be glad to do business with you.
The rates for a professional bookkeeper can range anywhere from $20 - $35/hour. Remember these are billable hours! You will be spending hours a week on non-billable time. Decide on the number of hours you want to work and add 10 for marketing, etc. An accountant can bill their time at $45 - $100/hour. As an accountant you can also charge as a consultant to help a small business develop
