Ready to Start Bookkeeping? Here’s What to Know First

Aug 14

So you're thinking about starting a bookkeeping business—maybe because you’re great with numbers, maybe because you want the freedom to work from anywhere, or maybe because you’re ready to finally get paid for the kind of spreadsheets you’ve been creating for free for years.

Whatever brought you here, welcome. Bookkeeping is one of the most underrated (and in-demand) business models out there. You don’t need a CPA. You don’t need decades of experience. You do need clarity, confidence, and the right setup. This blog breaks down exactly what to think through before you take on your first client.

1. Understand What Bookkeepers Actually Do (and Don’t Do)

Before you start marketing yourself, let’s get clear on your role.

Bookkeepers are responsible for the day-to-day tracking of a business’s income and expenses. You’ll likely be handling:

Categorizing transactions
Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
Managing accounts payable and receivable
Preparing reports (like profit and loss or balance sheets)
Supporting your client’s CPA during tax time

You’re not responsible for filing taxes, making legal entity decisions, or doing full financial forecasting—unless you’ve been trained and hired specifically for that.

Think of yourself as the calm financial backbone of a small business, not their CFO or tax expert.

2. Choose Your Tools Wisely (Start Simple)

You don’t need every shiny system to get started. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes new bookkeepers make is overinvesting in tools they don’t need yet.

Here’s what you do need:

Bookkeeping software: QuickBooks Online or Xero are top choices. Start with the one you’re most comfortable with (or willing to learn).
Communication system: Email and Zoom are just fine. If you want to be fancy, you can add Slack or Voxer.
File sharing: Google Drive or Dropbox will work perfectly for organizing reports and client uploads.
Password security: Use something like LastPass to protect client logins.

Keep it lean. You can always add tools as your business grows.

3. Decide on Services and Pricing

Not every client needs the same level of support—and not every bookkeeper wants to offer the same packages.

Here are a few service options to consider:

Monthly bookkeeping (most common)
Cleanups (for clients who need a fresh start)
Historical catch-up (for businesses behind on several months or years)
DIY support (if you want to help people who are learning)

As for pricing? You can charge:

Hourly (easiest for cleanups and custom work)
Monthly flat rates (most common for ongoing clients)
Tiered packages (based on complexity, transaction volume, or deliverables)

💡 Pro tip: Start with a few sample packages and adjust as you go. You don’t need it all figured out before you begin.

4. Set Up Your Business (Yes, Even If You Only Have One Client)

You don’t need to register as an LLC right this second, but you do want to get a few foundational things in place:

A business bank account (keep those finances separate!)
A professional email address and domain
A simple contract for clients (yes, even the nice ones)
Basic liability insurance (look into policies for virtual service providers)

You don’t need to wait until you’re fully “official” to get started—but the more you treat your business like a business, the faster it will grow.

5. Get Visible and Let People Know You’re Open for Business

No one can hire you if they don’t know you exist.
And no, you don’t have to do awkward sales calls or cold pitch people in the DMs.

Here are a few simple ways to start building visibility:

Update your social media bios to say you offer bookkeeping services
Share a post about the kind of work you're doing (or want to do!)
Ask your network if they know anyone who needs bookkeeping help
Join a few entrepreneur Facebook groups and contribute helpful advice

Even just telling 3–5 people what you’re doing can open doors.

6. Don’t Wait Until You Feel “Ready”

This is the most important one. You’ll never feel 100% ready to take on your first client. The nerves? Totally normal. Imposter syndrome? Welcome to entrepreneurship.

But you learn by doing—not by reading every blog and watching every webinar.

You only need:

A basic understanding of bookkeeping (courses or YouTube can help!)
The willingness to communicate clearly with your clients
The humility to say, “Let me look into that” when you don’t know something

Your first client doesn’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to care.

Final Thoughts

If you're sitting at your kitchen table thinking, “Can I really build a business doing this?” — the answer is yes.

You’re not too late. You don’t need to know everything.
You just need to take the next step.

If you want help mapping it out or walking through your setup, join my Six-Figure Bookkeeping course—designed to take you from beginner to booked with confidence. I’ve got you.