Start A Virtual Accounting Business - Business Ideas

Updated: September 15th, 2022
Start A Virtual Accounting Business

Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.

Starting a virtual accounting business is an excellent opportunity for those with a background in finance or accounting. With the rise of remote work and technology, starting your own virtual accounting business has never been easier.

A virtual accounting business involves providing accounting services to clients remotely. This can include bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, financial reporting, and more. With the right tools and software, you can offer these services to clients no matter where they are located.

To start a successful virtual accounting business, you’ll need a strong understanding of accounting principles and regulations. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is often preferred, as well as relevant certifications such as a CPA. You’ll also need to be proficient in using accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero and be comfortable working with clients remotely.

One key to success in a virtual accounting business is to specialize in a specific area of accounting. This could be working with small businesses, freelancers, or a particular industry. Focusing on a specific niche can better serve your clients and stand out in a crowded market.

A virtual accounting business can be relatively low-cost in terms of startup costs. In addition to education and certifications, you’ll need a computer, accounting software, and possibly a website to promote your services. You may also want to invest in marketing to attract clients and grow your business.

Overall, starting a virtual accounting business is an excellent opportunity for those with a background in finance or accounting looking to work remotely and be their boss. You can build a successful and profitable business with the right skills and marketing efforts.

Starting a virtual accounting business requires a great deal of effort, dedication, and most importantly passion.

If you're interested in how to sell virtual accounting, or selling virtual accounting online, you can use this page as a guide for everything you'll need to know.

Key Stats

market size
$12B
starting costs
$11.7K
gross margin
90%
time to build
210 days

Startup Costs

Min Startup Costs Max Startup Costs

Office Space Expenses

$0

$7,000

Employee & Freelancer Expenses

$150

$250

Website Costs

$223

$7,015

Business Formation Fees

$600

$4,700

Software Expenses

$162

$2,894

Advertising & Marketing Costs

$0

$1,400

Total Startup Costs

$1,135

$23,259

Successful Businesses

Business URL Rank

Fully Accountable

fullyaccountable.com

342,505

Museminded

museminded.com

520,829

KPMG Spark

kpmgspark.com

653,577

Western CPE

westerncpe.com

785,599

ComplYant Inc

complyant.co

853,970

ConnectCPA

connectcpa.ca

876,066

Outsourced Accounting Services: Driven Insights

driveninsights.com

908,570

CPA MOMS

cpa-moms.com

1,170,528

Forma: Accountants for Contractors & Freelancers

goforma.com

1,699,876

AccountMate Software Corporation

accountmate.com

1,878,438

MSM Advisors

msmadvisors.net

1,938,155

Pros & Cons

Pros Description

Flexibility

You can put as much time into the business as you'd like. If you like the work and have some initial experience, you can start small and manage all aspects of the business on your own.

Ability to start your business from home

It's not necessary to have a physical storefront or office space to get your business started. You can do everything from the comfort of your own home, at least in the beginning!

Little startup costs required

The cost to start a virtual accounting business costs significantly less money than most businesses, ranging anywhere from 62 to 23,259.

Rewarding work

Starting a virtual accounting business can be really rewarding work. After all, you are solving an immediate issue for your customer and you're working on something you truly care about.

Scalable

With businesses and processes changing daily, there will always be demand for new features, products and services for your business. Additionally, there are several different business models and pricing tiers you can implement that will allow you to reach all types of customers.

No overhead costs

To get your virtual accounting business started, there are no costs associated with overhead, storage, packaging, etc. This will save you a lot of time and money!

Cons Description

Crowded Space

Competition is high when it comes to your virtual accounting business, so it's important that you spend a good amount of time analyzing the market and understanding where the demand lies.

Longer Sales Process

A virtual accounting business can be a big time and money investment for your customer, so it's important you plan and predict a longer conversion funnel and stay in communication with potential customers.

Work can be inconsistent

As a virtual accounting business, the amount of work assigned to you and schedule tends to be more inconsistent, which may make your income less stable. It's important to set boundaries and budget accordingly based on the amount of work you plan to have.

Lack of benefits

With a virtual accounting business, you are typically self-employed and responsible for finding your own insurance, which can be quite costly and time-consuming.

Isolation

Often times, as a virtual accounting business, you typically work alone and do not have much face-to-face interaction with other team members.

Taxes

As a virtual accounting business, you typically pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high. It's important to understand what you will be paying in taxes each year so you can determine if the work you're taking on is worth it.