Do you want to become a bookkeeper and work from home but are not sure how to get started if you have no experience?
What most people don’t realize is that you don’t need to be an accountant or have an accounting degree to become a bookkeeper.
This is something you can learn at home and actually make an income doing!
I know how overwhelming it can feel to start something new. But becoming a bookkeeper is actually a lot more beginner-friendly than many people think. It’s flexible, doesn’t require a college degree, and many people start without any background in finance or accounting.
In today’s article, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to become a bookkeeper with no experience, step-by-step. I’ll also share how much beginner bookkeepers typically make and how to gain the confidence to get your first client. I’m keeping everything simple and straightforward, so that even if you have zero knowledge about bookkeeping today, you can get started right away and know what to do next to find remote bookkeeping jobs.
Note: I recommend signing up for a free training on how to become a bookkeeper, find high-paying clients, and avoid mistakes. You can sign up for free by clicking here.
Best Ways To Become a Bookkeeper With No Experience
Below is what you need to know if you want to become a bookkeeper without a degree or experience.
What is bookkeeping and who hires bookkeepers?
First off, let’s start with what bookkeeping actually is.
Bookkeeping is the process of tracking a business’s financial transactions – things like income, expenses, and profit. Bookkeepers help keep records organized and accurate so business owners can make better decisions (and have everything ready come tax time). You are not doing their taxes, though, so don’t worry about that.
It’s not the same as being an accountant. Bookkeeping is more about day-to-day tracking, and it’s something that many small businesses outsource because they don’t have time to do it themselves.
And that’s where a bookkeeping career comes in.
You don’t need to work for a big company to become a bookkeeper. Many online bookkeepers work remotely for solo entrepreneurs, online business owners, consultants, and other small businesses. These business owners need help staying organized, and they’d rather pay someone else to handle it.
I actually have a few friends who are bookkeepers – they all work from home and run their own businesses by doing freelance bookkeeping for small businesses. Some are doing it to make extra income, and for others, it’s their full-time business.
Bookkeeping is especially helpful for people who want to work from home or earn money on the side. It’s a great fit for people who like details, routine, and helping others behind the scenes.
And, yes, there is a lot of room for new bookkeepers! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is expected to be around 170,000 new jobs in the bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing industry each year over the next decade (so, over 1,000,000 new jobs!).
How much do new bookkeepers make?
Most entry-level freelance bookkeepers earn between $20 and $30 per hour, depending on their skill level and the clients they take on. That means even working part-time hours can bring in a couple of thousand dollars each month.
Some beginners start with just a couple of small clients and earn $500 to $1,000 per month. Others grow into a full-time business and make $3,000 to $5,000+ per month once they build up experience.
There are also bookkeepers who scale even further, turning it into a six-figure business by taking on multiple clients or even hiring a team. But to start, even just one or two monthly clients can help you make a nice income each month.
Why bookkeeping is beginner friendly
There are a lot of reasons why bookkeeping is a great job to start, even if you have no background, like:
- You don’t need a degree and there are no educational requirements
- You can learn the skills online
- Many clients care more about reliability than credentials
- You can work flexible hours and choose your own clients
- It’s quiet work that many introverts love
- You can start slow and grow over time
This is one of those rare side hustles or businesses that doesn’t require a lot of money to get started. In fact, you can get started with a laptop, internet, and some free work tools.
Skills you need to become a bookkeeper
You don’t need to be a math genius, but there are a few skills that will help:
- Attention to detail – Catching small errors and staying organized really matters as a bookkeeper because you want to avoid mistakes and actually help businesses with their financial management.
- Basic number comfort – You should be okay with simple math and patterns.
- Communication – Especially if you’re working with clients or asking questions.
- Software skills – You don’t need to know these already, but you need to be open to learning the different bookkeeping software and tools like QuickBooks, Excel, Wave, and other tools.
- Want to learn – Even if you’re starting from zero, being open to learning is important because how else will you start a new career path?
If these sound like you (or you’re open to learning them), you’re off to a great start. Don’t worry if you don’t know everything now – most people learn as they go.
Steps To Becoming a Bookkeeper With No Experience
Here’s what the beginner path can look like. These steps are designed to take you from total beginner to someone who feels ready to work with clients.
Step 1: Learn what a bookkeeper does
Before jumping in, it’s helpful to understand what the job actually involves. Bookkeepers help business owners stay organized and financially healthy by keeping track of where their money goes every day.
Here are some of the common tasks bookkeepers do:
- Recording income and expenses – When a business gets paid or spends money, bookkeepers log it in the books (their financial records). This might be entering receipts into a spreadsheet or bookkeeping software.
- Creating financial reports – These are summaries like profit and loss statements as well as balance sheets. They help a business owner see if they’re making money.
- Managing invoices and receipts – Bookkeepers may send out invoices to customers and keep track of what’s been paid or still owed.
- Reconciling bank statements – This means comparing the business’s records with what’s actually in the bank to make sure they match.
- Keeping track of payments and due dates – Bookkeepers check when bills are due and make sure payments go out on time.
- Organizing accounts so everything is ready for tax time – This includes labeling transactions correctly and making sure all the numbers are in order.
To do these tasks, bookkeepers use tools like:
- QuickBooks Online – One of the most popular programs, used by many small business owners
- FreshBooks – Easy to use and often chosen by freelancers and service businesses (this is actually what I use)
- Wave – A free online bookkeeping tool great for small businesses
Each tool has its own dashboard where you can enter income and expenses, run reports, send invoices, and more. You don’t need to learn every tool at once, but getting familiar with one is a great way to start. Many bookkeepers begin by picking just one (like FreshBooks or QuickBooks) and focusing on learning the basics.
Understanding these everyday tasks can help you decide if this kind of work fits your strengths and interests, and if it’s a good job fit for you. Don’t worry if it all feels new (that’s completely normal) – once you start trying things out, it will probably make a lot more sense quickly!
Step 2: Take a training course
Now that you’ve learned what a bookkeeper does, you may want to learn about how the tasks are properly done.
I believe that taking a bookkeeping training course to learn how to become a bookkeeper is very helpful, because this type of job training gives you a clear path to follow, especially when you’re brand new. It can be really overwhelming to piece everything together on your own, and a good course shows you exactly what to learn, in what order, and how to apply it. It gives you a career path to take.
Instead of wasting time wondering if you’re doing it right, you can focus on building real skills. A course can also help with your confidence, which is important when you’re just getting started and thinking about working with clients. That’s why I recommend looking into Bookkeeper Launch if you want a complete, step-by-step training program made for beginners.
Bookkeeper Launch is a course designed to teach you everything that you need to know, including how to do bookkeeping tasks and how to find your first clients.
I highly recommend this course because it not only walks you through how to become a bookkeeper, but it also teaches you how to start a business around it. If you’re serious about getting started, it’s a shortcut to learning everything in one place.
You can read my full Bookkeeper Launch review here.
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Bookkeeper Launch Course
This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
Step 3: Get real experience
Once you understand the basics of what bookkeeping is, then it’s a good time to start getting hands-on experience, as this is a great way to learn and better understand how everything works.
You can:
- Practice by playing around with different work tools like QuickBooks and FreshBooks to better understand how everything works.
- Volunteer to do the books for a friend or family member’s business.
- Sell low-cost services to build confidence and get a testimonial.
- Look for entry-level jobs or internships online.
- Search for freelance gigs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Post about your services on your personal Facebook page.
The goal is to practice and get experience with real data and real clients. Every little bit helps.
Now, of course, I don’t recommend just accepting a bookkeeping job if you have no idea what you’re doing. Going back to number 2 and actually learning the proper bookkeeping tasks is very important. These are a business’s financials that you are dealing with, and business owners want them to be correct. So, taking a course such as Bookkeeper Launch can be very helpful to make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Also, check out my How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs post to learn exactly where to find clients and get paid.
Step 4: Get testimonials and build a presence
As you start helping people, ask for a testimonial. These are great for showing potential clients that you’re reliable and skilled.
Next, create an online presence too:
- Set up a website with your services and contact info. This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate; just a basic website with a free or cheap template is all you need.
- Create a LinkedIn profile, listing bookkeeping as a service you offer.
- Join bookkeeping and small business Facebook groups.
This makes it easier for people to find you and trust your services. I recommend that you keep tracking made-up or personal transactions (so that you can practice your skills!), create mock financial reports, or volunteer to help a friend who owns a small business. The more practice you get, the more ready you’ll feel.
How long it takes to become a bookkeeper
This depends on your schedule and how you learn best, but here’s a general idea:
- 1–3 weeks: Learn basic terms and bookkeeping flow
- 1–2 months: Feel comfortable with software and practice tasks
- 2–4 months: Land your first client
If you’re taking a course and practicing regularly, you might even land a paying client sooner. Some people who take Bookkeeper Launch get their first client within 30 to 60 days of starting.
You don’t need to rush, though. This is a skill that builds over time, and you can go at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to become a bookkeeper with no experience or degree.
Is a bookkeeper an accountant?
A bookkeeper is not an accountant. Bookkeepers handle the daily tracking of income and expenses, while accountants often handle tax filings and more complex financial planning. You don’t need to be an accountant to be a bookkeeper.
How much do beginner bookkeepers make?
Most bookkeepers start at around $20 to $40 per hour. With a few clients, you can earn $1,000 to $5,000+ per month.
How to get started as a bookkeeper with no experience?
You can get started as a bookkeeper by learning the basics, practicing bookkeeping tasks, learning more about different tools (like QuickBooks), and taking a course like Bookkeeper Launch. You can even get bookkeeping certifications, such as becoming a Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB) from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) or becoming a Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). Also, QuickBooks Online and Xero have certifications you can get.
Can I teach myself to be a bookkeeper?
Yes! Many people are self-taught at home by using free tools, YouTube, and courses.
What qualifications do you need to be a bookkeeper?
No college degree (you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, but you do need to learn bookkeeping skills!) or license is required for a virtual bookkeeping job. Clients usually care more about trust and accuracy. However, I do want to say that this is a real job and businesses are counting on you to correctly help them with their day-to-day finances, so you want to make sure you are taking it seriously and learning how to correctly do bookkeeping tasks (like with creating financial statements or handling payroll taxes).
Is bookkeeping hard for beginners?
It’s not hard, but it does take focus and practice. It’s a learnable skill that gets easier over time because you will better understand how everything works.
How can I become a QuickBooks Certified Bookkeeper?
There are several bookkeeping certification programs, and one popular option is that you can take an online c