Did you know that the gig economy is projected to be worth more than 455.2 billion U.S. dollars by 2023? This form of engagement allows professionals to work with various clients without going through formal employment programs. Accounting is one of the sectors that is embracing the gig economy or freelance model. Thus, an accountant can balance and audit books of accounts on a freelance or contract basis.
The client will pay based on the work done and will cut down on costs such as salaries and other perks associated with full-time employment. On the other hand, the accountant is not restricted to one workplace and can get clients across borders. How can one become a freelance accountant? The following are some of the tips to get started.
Arm yourself with the right skills
No one will hire you if you do not have the right training. What qualifies one to become an accountant will vary from one country to the next. Some roles will demand an accountant who has passed several steps, while others may take someone with minimal training. The level of skills you have will determine what you will command on the field.
An Accounting degree is one of the qualifications that will make you more marketable. The beauty of the modern world is that you can study online and still compete favorably with others. Invest your time in acquiring these skills before you start hunting for gigs. Do due diligence when selecting the schools where you will be trained.
Get online
Most of your potential clients are online. However, you may find a few offline clients here and there as well as referrals. Getting a reliable internet connection and a laptop is the first step towards getting online. Ensure that you have a computer that can run the basic accounting applications you will use during your work. You can then sign up on a few conferencing apps such as Skype and Zoom. The next step will be to set up various online payment getaways that you can access with ease.
Develop your service bundles
You will meet with different clients who have different needs. For instance, you come across a client who wants you to audit a whole year’s books of accounts. On the other hand, you may find another that wants you to prepare books of accounts for a month. The charges will be different based on the needs and terms of engagement. The service bundle will highlight your roles and the charges to the client. Your skills, training, and level of engagement will determine what will be in the service bundle. You will also come across clients who want customized bundles.
Market your business
Knowing where to find customers is the biggest challenge that freelance accountants face. Online is the first place where you can find your potential clients. You can develop a website that is solely dedicated to your accounting role. Invest in SEO and make it easy for people to find you online. The website should also be easy to navigate and attractive to potential clients.
You can also try job boards that match potential clients with accountants. Typing a simple keyword such as ‘freelance accountants for hire’ can land you on such platforms. Check the working terms and what is expected of you before you sign up on such platforms.
You can also take advantage of the social media space to reach potential customers. Create professional profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can also join professional groups on these platforms and interact with potential clients. Make sure that you post valuable content on these platforms and use hashtags to increase your reach.
The final approach of attracting leads is through sponsored ads. You can buy advertising space on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google. The beauty of ads is that they allow targeting leads based on certain demographics.
Support your business
You may be getting quality leads now. However, you may end up overwhelmed with tasks, and that is why you need to work on various plans. Solving challenges in other people’s businesses might be your priority. However, you forget that you are running a business that needs to have systems in place. You may be required to prepare tax returns for your business. Having an application that will make it easy to track your expenses and revenues is essential. You as well need an invoicing tool to ensure that you do not miss out on any payment.
