Increased Opportunity in the Work-From-Home Finance Arena
Work-from-home opportunities have increased, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees found they enjoyed remote work more than expected as companies closed offices and moved operations online. If you choose to work remotely long-term, you'll need to have a plan in place for discussing it with your employer or starting your own business.
You'll need a dedicated workspace and a reliable computer to get your work done. A fast modem or router is essential for quick document loading. Ideally, you should also use cloud-based applications to protect your data from hacking and ensure it reaches clients or managers without delay.
If you want to be working from home long-term, if not permanently, you'll want to have a videoconferencing platform handy. Skype and Zoom are two options. Because of the need for security and ensuring that hackers don’t break into a meeting, you should ensure that you have the highest level of security available.
Who Can Work from Home?
Do you have the tools you need to work from home? These include a computer, internet connection, a dedicated phone line, and possibly a headset. You may also need a printer and scanner, with a multifunctional device being more economical. Additionally, ensure you have accounting software to complete your tasks.
If you don't have these items yet, start preparing them before working remotely. If you're still in your employer's office, consider purchasing them gradually. If you're not working but want to begin working from home, you may be able to write off some of the expenses on your taxes. Make sure to understand the rules for proper filing.
To work from home, you'll need accounting experience, required education, and any necessary certifications for your state. Depending on your specialty (accounting, bookkeeping, tax prep), a strong professional background is often required to be hired. Additionally, consider creating accounts on job boards that advertise remote accounting jobs to increase your visibility to potential employers.
Looking for Remote Work
If You’re Already Employed with a Company
Before you get started trying to convince them to allow you to work from home, you’ll want to do some homework so you can present your research to them.
- What are the benefits to your employer?
- You’ll be able to get more work done without distractions or a commute
- Financial benefit to the company, especially with a productivity boost in remote work
- Suggest short trials of telecommuting—such as one day a week
- Have a plan you can show your supervisor or the company manager
- Once you’ve shown you can make it work, ask for one or two more days of remote work
- Instead of asking for a day of remote work if your supervisor is resistant to this idea, use a different method
- Call in sick in the middle of the week – Work from home and keep up with everything – Loop your supervisor in on the tasks you completed on your sick day so they see your productivity level has stayed the same or gone up
If You’re a Recent Graduate or Have Little Experience
Initially, freelancing may be your only option after graduation, but earning enough to cover bills could be challenging, and you'll lack employer-provided benefits like health insurance. It's a good idea to find at least a part-time accounting job while seeking private clients for the rest of your workweek.
Accounting easily converts into remote work, especially with the rise of cloud-based software. With essentials like a computer, internet, software, and a basic printer, freelancing in this field could work for you. To increase client access, consider building a website. If you lack the skills, ask a friend for help in exchange for tax services, or use freelancing platforms like Fiverr to set up a simple site. You can also print business cards and gather testimonials from clients at your part-time job.
If You Already Have Experience
Review your job contract to see if it addresses remote work. If not, you may be in a good position to negotiate a work-from-home policy with your employer. You can continue working for your employer while building your freelance career, and consider setting aside money from each paycheck to create a cushion for slow periods or unexpected expenses once you transition to full-time freelancing.
Be honest with your manager about your intentions and prioritize your work for the firm. Set a schedule that allows you to gradually take on freelance accounting work. Spend some time each day pitching your services to businesses and building your client base. Also, search for remote accounting opportunities and let your professional and personal networks know about your plans for potential referrals.
Remote Accounting Job Boards
As you start your freelance career, explore accounting job boards that post opportunities from firms seeking experienced accountants. While you may already be familiar with general job sites, there are also boards specifically for accounting and freelancers focused on remote work and work/life balance.
As you review job ads, look for keywords like accounting clerk, staff accountant, financial analyst, or controller to understand what each firm needs. Researching before applying helps avoid wasting time. Steer clear of sites that charge freelancers to apply, as many free job boards are just as effective in finding your ideal position. Below are some job boards commonly used by accounting professionals.
- University HQ Accounting Job Boards
Using this site, you’ll see listings from all over the country. If you want a range of clients, avoid the full-time listings and instead look for part-time work - accountingdepartment.com
This site is fully US-based, offering opportunities for outsourced controller and bookkeeping opportunities - bookminders.com
This site focuses on the mid-Atlantic region of the country – Jobs placed on this board are fully outsourced - upwork.com
This company gives freelancers in many professions (web development, writing and editing, mobile development, customer service, design, marketing, and accounting) opportunities to demonstrate to site clients that they are the right person for the work clients need to have completed – Many jobs are on a gig basis, meaning they are discreet projects, but there are part- and full-time positions available
Companies that Hire From-Home Workers
Remote work (independent contracting or freelancing) is becoming more and more popular each year. Knowing this, several companies are making it easier for accounting agencies and freelancers to offer and accept accounting work. Depending on how experienced you are in your field, you may be able to narrow your sights and look only for banking, controller, or auditor work. The following bullet list of companies hiring independent contractors allows you to choose according to your expertise.
If you’re searching the internet, you are sure to find other job boards with the contact information of companies wanting to hire freelance accountants.
- TAD Accounting
- AccountingDepartment.com
- SmartBooks
- Bateman & Co.
- Intuit/Turbo Tax
- Bookminders
- First Data
- BIDaWIZ
- Enterprise Recovery Systems
- Click Accounts Bookkeeping Services
- CorpTax
- ClickNwork
Final Thoughts
Some think that freelance accounting, even with an accounting degree and certifications, would not allow those working independently to earn a good income. However, the numbers may surprise you.
As of 2024, around 22 million workers worked from their home or another location that wasn’t an office setting. Upwork estimates that 22% of the workforce (36.2 Million Americans) will work remotely by 2025. While it used to take a lot of effort for an accounting firm to hire a remote accountant, the difficulties are no longer as overwhelming and, as long as both parties work hard, they can arrive at a point where they are able to work smoothly as a team. The Big Four accounting firms (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers) are actually industry leaders who encourage flexibility for accountants and team members.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports that auditors and accountants are more frequently working from home. As a profession, accounting and finance pay high salaries; the national average annual rate was $79,880 as of 2023. The highest-paid 10% of accountants and auditors earned almost $137,000 annually. If you’re interested in working from home as a freelance accountant, there has never been a better time to get out of the office, and into a job. Learn which accounting careers are the highest paying and the career paths to get there.Â
Increased Opportunity in the Work-From-Home Finance Arena
Work-from-home opportunities have increased, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees found they enjoyed remote work more than expected as companies closed offices and moved operations online. If you choose to work remotely long-term, you'll need to have a plan in place for discussing it with your employer or starting your own business.
You'll need a dedicated workspace and a reliable computer to get your work done. A fast modem or router is essential for quick document loading. Ideally, you should also use cloud-based applications to protect your data from hacking and ensure it reaches clients or managers without delay.
If you want to be working from home long-term, if not permanently, you'll want to have a videoconferencing platform handy. Skype and Zoom are two options. Because of the need for security and ensuring that hackers don’t break into a meeting, you should ensure that you have the highest level of security available.
Who Can Work from Home?
Do you have the tools you need to work from home? These include a computer, internet connection, a dedicated phone line, and possibly a headset. You may also need a printer and scanner, with a multifunctional device being more economical. Additionally, ensure you have accounting software to complete your tasks.
If you don't have these items yet, start preparing them before working remotely. If you're still in your employer's office, consider purchasing them gradually. If you're not working but want to begin working from home, you may be able to write off some of the expenses on your taxes. Make sure to understand the rules for proper filing.
To work from home, you'll need accounting experience, required education, and any necessary certifications for your state. Depending on your specialty (accounting, bookkeeping, tax prep), a strong professional background is often required to be hired. Additionally, consider creating accounts on job boards that advertise remote accounting jobs to increase your visibility to potential employers.
Looking for Remote Work
If You’re Already Employed with a Company
Before you get started trying to convince them to allow you to work from home, you’ll want to do some homework so you can present your research to them.
- What are the benefits to your employer?
- You’ll be able to get more work done without distractions or a commute
- Financial benefit to the company, especially with a productivity boost in remote work
- Suggest short trials of telecommuting—such as one day a week
- Have a plan you can show your supervisor or the company manager
- Once you’ve shown you can make it work, ask for one or two more days of remote work
- Instead of asking for a day of remote work if your supervisor is resistant to this idea, use a different method
- Call in sick in the middle of the week – Work from home and keep up with everything – Loop your supervisor in on the tasks you completed on your sick day so they see your productivity level has stayed the same or gone up
If You’re a Recent Graduate or Have Little Experience
Initially, freelancing may be your only option after graduation, but earning enough to cover bills could be challenging, and you'll lack employer-provided benefits like health insurance. It's a good idea to find at least a part-time accounting job while seeking private clients for the rest of your workweek.
Accounting easily converts into remote work, especially with the rise of cloud-based software. With essentials like a computer, internet, software, and a basic printer, freelancing in this field could work for you. To increase client access, consider building a website. If you lack the skills, ask a friend for help in exchange for tax services, or use freelancing platforms like Fiverr to set up a simple site. You can also print business cards and gather testimonials from clients at your part-time job.
If You Already Have Experience
Review your job contract to see if it addresses remote work. If not, you may be in a good position to negotiate a work-from-home policy with your employer. You can continue working for your employer while building your freelance career, and consider setting aside money from each paycheck to create a cushion for slow periods or unexpected expenses once you transition to full-time freelancing.
Be honest with your manager about your intentions and prioritize your work for the firm. Set a schedule that allows you to gradually take on freelance accounting work. Spend some time each day pitching your services to businesses and building your client base. Also, search for remote accounting opportunities and let your professional and personal networks know about your plans for potential referrals.
Remote Accounting Job Boards
As you start your freelance career, explore accounting job boards that post opportunities from firms seeking experienced accountants. While you may already be familiar with general job sites, there are also boards specifically for accounting and freelancers focused on remote work and work/life balance.
As you review job ads, look for keywords like accounting clerk, staff accountant, financial analyst, or controller to understand what each firm needs. Researching before applying helps avoid wasting time. Steer clear of sites that charge freelancers to apply, as many free job boards are just as effective in finding your ideal position. Below are some job boards commonly used by accounting professionals.
- University HQ Accounting Job Boards
Using this site, you’ll see listings from all over the country. If you want a range of clients, avoid the full-time listings and instead look for part-time work - accountingdepartment.com
This site is fully US-based, offering opportunities for outsourced controller and bookkeeping opportunities - bookminders.com
This site focuses on the mid-Atlantic region of the country – Jobs placed on this board are fully outsourced - upwork.com
This company gives freelancers in many professions (web development, writing and editing, mobile development, customer service, design, marketing, and accounting) opportunities to demonstrate to site clients that they are the right person for the work clients need to have completed – Many jobs are on a gig basis, meaning they are discreet projects, but there are part- and full-time positions available
Companies that Hire Remote Accounting Workers
Remote work (independent contracting or freelancing) is becoming more and more popular each year. Knowing this, several companies are making it easier for accounting agencies and freelancers to offer and accept accounting work. Depending on how experienced you are in your field, you may be able to narrow your sights and look only for banking, controller, or auditor work. The following bullet list of companies hiring independent contractors allows you to choose according to your expertise.
If you’re searching the internet, you are sure to find other job boards with the contact information of companies wanting to hire freelance accountants.
- TAD Accounting
- AccountingDepartment.com
- SmartBooks
- Bateman & Co.
- Intuit/Turbo Tax
- Bookminders
- First Data
- BIDaWIZ
- Enterprise Recovery Systems
- Click Accounts Bookkeeping Services
- CorpTax
- ClickNwork
Final Thoughts
Some think that freelance accounting, even with an accounting degree and certifications, would not allow those working independently to earn a good income. However, the numbers may surprise you.
As of 2024, around 22 million workers worked from their home or another location that wasn’t an office setting. Upwork estimates that 22% of the workforce (36.2 Million Americans) will work remotely by 2025. While it used to take a lot of effort for an accounting firm to hire a remote accountant, the difficulties are no longer as overwhelming and, as long as both parties work hard, they can arrive at a point where they are able to work smoothly as a team. The Big Four accounting firms (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers) are actually industry leaders who encourage flexibility for accountants and team members.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports that auditors and accountants are more frequently working from home. As a profession, accounting and finance pay high salaries; the national average annual rate was $79,880 as of 2023. The highest-paid 10% of accountants and auditors earned almost $137,000 annually. If you’re interested in working from home as a freelance accountant, there has never been a better time to get out of the office, and into a job. Learn which accounting careers are the highest paying and the career paths to get there.Â
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