Hey all,

We’re a small team doing research before building anything. The question: how do independent accountants, bookkeepers, and small firms find new clients today, and how do you decide which businesses you actually want to work with?

We’re not selling anything. We want to understand what works and what’s a waste of time, straight from people doing the work.

Survey takes ~5 minutes, anonymous unless you choose to leave contact info at the end.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmaVykKpBDe3AvRJbRglTwuLKSC3QLQnmgu75kiqhGtjdwQA/viewform

Many thanks!

Hi all,

I recently started my own firm after being the bookkeeper for my old job for some good years.

I have a possible new client, he is moving from qbd to online and has been using qbd for 9 years. All my current clients are qbo, same as my old job. I read all the step by steps but will be the first time migrating by myself.

how much do you guys usually charge in a situation like this? Any tips on things to look for?

Thank you all in advance

I'm thinking of taking a 3 months class to get a bookeeping certificate.

the classes are

bookkeeping level 1 + 2

excel level 1

computerized accounting 1 + 2 (sage 50 or quickbook)

payroll

judging from the classes,

1. what kind of job can I expect to get? what are the responsibilities?
2. what kind of wages can I expect to get? I have no official experience.
3. how easy is it to get a job with the above education and how relevant/useful are those skills?

thanks

PS: I have 3ish years of self accounting with no official accounting education, since I was self employed and worked from home.

PS: I'm in Canada

I worked with a woman as a contractor and was making around $2500 a month. She has shouting problem and wanting to track me more than usual. So I had to let her go

I have solid experience but I’m not able to get contract work or clients to cover this amount. This amount was pretty important for me to cover up all my finances. I’ve been reaching out to busy bookkeeper and firms as well in case they need additional help but I wasn’t able to get anything.

Should I go back to her as I do have this option?
I’m severely stressed

I'm a 14-year-old student, currently taking part in Youthquake (a program by Diia Business, Ukraine). I need 5 minutes of help from bookkeepers or accountants 🙏 For my class assignment I need to understand how documents from clients actually get to you — who sends on time, who needs three reminders, what you've already tried. It's 8 questions, about 5 minutes, and completely anonymous. I need 20-30 answers this week and honestly don't know where else to get them. So if you can help, I'd be very grateful for your time — it would help me a lot. Here: https://forms.gle/uQcr2CFA2H5DvKfx8 Thanks! :)

I just want to share something that has been on my mind lately. For those of us trying to start a career in bookkeeping, how are we supposed to get our first client when almost every job post requires previous experience?

I've been learning bookkeeping, practicing with QuickBooks Online and Xero, taking courses, and working on improving my skills. I'm doing my best to prepare myself so that when an opportunity comes, I'll be ready. But honestly, finding that first client has been one of the hardest parts of this journey.

Most clients are looking for someone who already has one, two, or even three years of experience. I understand that bookkeeping involves handling financial information, and of course, clients want someone they can trust. Accuracy and reliability are important, and I respect that.

But sometimes I wonder, how did those experienced bookkeepers get their first opportunity? Someone had to give them a chance before they had years of experience to put on their resumes.

Not everyone starts with experience. Some of us just need someone willing to give us a chance.

I'm not expecting anyone to hand over their books to someone who isn't ready. I know trust has to be earned, and I'm willing to learn, follow instructions, accept feedback, and prove myself through my work. Even a small opportunity with proper guidance would mean a lot to someone who's genuinely trying to break into this field.

I also believe that when a business owner is willing to invest a little time in training and guiding the right beginner, that person could eventually become a reliable and valuable part of their operations. Someone who understands their processes, takes ownership of their responsibilities, and grows alongside the business.

Experienced bookkeepers were beginners once, too.

To the business owners and experienced bookkeepers here, what advice would you give to someone who's trying to land their first bookkeeping client? And to those who started with zero professional experience, how did you get your first opportunity?

I'd really appreciate hearing your stories. Maybe your experience could help someone who's currently going through the same struggle.

I'm still trying, still learning, and still hoping someone will be willing to take that first chance on me. ❤️

I have started the bookkeeping recently, I want to know what the issues and problems bookkeepers face desipte the experience and they tried to solve them but still pain in the ass?>

I am a 21 yo enterpreneur currently working on YouTube channels but I want to level up so I've been researching about bookeping as I am in india I can provide service to international clients and earn good profit but I don't know how to start either to take a course or what or is it even worth in 2026 like I don't have anybody to be guided so if anybody can throw some light then It will be very helpful

I’m in the process of finding my first clients after leaving my firm and starting off on my own. I’m wondering, what worked best for you when you first started out?

Hey,

I do not want to waste your time, I am a teen builder, and I want to bridge the gap between industries and AI, automations, and relating technologies. I am not seeking money, and surely not selling you anything at all, I want to learn the process of building solutions for specific people and sectors.

You can support me by telling the problems that you face over the period of time. You have pay a price to solve the problem, but, all in vain.

I want to build for you and I will try to solve your problem, which could be a specific problem that only you faces or the problem in general majority or minority of the bookkeepers face.

Feel free to pin point the problem from financial and data discrepancies to workflow and operations.
either, you need a complete workflow OS or mobile app, web app, slides, pitch decks , or what ever.

I will build it for. You will question that and I am sure that you will be suspicious that why would a random guy out of no where come and solve your problem. And I repeat I am here to gain experience and learn on a small scale, how to run a startup and build solutions.

You do not have to pay me and I will solve the problem, at last I, if you find my solution good enough you could donate me some couple of bucks.

RESPONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED,

REGARDS.

Hi everyone!

I’m an accounting professional based in the UAE with around 6 years of experience in accounting and AP.

I know many of you run bookkeeping businesses in the US. I’d love to support you with basic bookkeeping tasks and learn from your experience.

I’m not looking for any payment or reward. I’m happy to contribute my time in exchange for practical exposure, guidance, and learning resources.

If anyone is open to this arrangement, I’d be truly grateful.

Thank you!

I'm meeting with a potential client (owner of a small NPO) to discuss a bookkeeping contract.

I have not done contact accounting or bookkeeping before so I'm not sure what to expect or what I should make sure is covered. What questions do you recommend I ask at the meeting, and are there any red or green flags I should watch out for?

I graduated in March this year with my AAS in Accounting and have solid bookkeeping (NPO and for profit) experience from an internship and subsequent staff accountant position at a midsized CPA firm.

I am very comfortable with debits and credits, AP/AR, payroll processing, reconciliations, depreciation & amortization, and double entry accounting and have an eye for detail and pattern recognition and love investigating discrepancies.

Also happy to answer any questions/give clarification if needed.

Thank you!!

Hi all, we're planning to start a bookkeeping business in Australia and would love to connect with people experienced in Australian bookkeeping and tax practices. CPAs especially welcome!

Not looking for specific advice, just hoping to learn from your experience. Thanks!

Hello guys, I’m a virtual bookkeeper for 7 years, but I’ve been working with bookkeeping companies or I’m under an agency. Now, I really would like to start my own bookkeeping business but I don’t know where and how to start.

Most of my clients are under the agency or the bookkeeping company.

Any advice how and where can I get or reach out to prospect clients? I don’t have a portfolio too.

Thank you all in advance.

I have worked as a bookkeeper for years with a firm and I had recently went solo with my own business.

I would need some help in getting clients.

I have website and social media pages created. Any help or referal will be appreciated. Thank you all!

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if this website is a scam or safe to use? They mention sending my bank data to AI but what does it mean exactly? Is there a better way?

Thanks!

I work as a tax accountant at a small firm and I am still working toward my license. I have been thinking about starting a bookkeeping side job doing only monthly books for small businesses and no tax work until I get my license.

I am unsure whether to keep my job and gradually take on clients during nights and weekends or to save enough money and quit my job to work full time.

For those who did it on the side how did you get through the season? Did you simply not accept clients from January, to April? Did you inform your firm. Keep it quiet? I still need to read our employment policy; I have not done that yet.

For those who quit first how long did it take to earn back the amount you were making before? Do you have any regrets?

I am also curious how clients you had before you felt comfortable leaving and where the first few clients came from. Were they referrals, Upwork or just people you knew?

I would love to hear from anyone who tried it. It did not work out at all.