Best 42 Side Hustles for Accountants [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Whether you're a accountant looking to make a little extra money on the side or just starting in your career, there are plenty of side hustles for accountants to choose from.

A side hustle is a great way to make extra money and can be a lot of fun.

So if you're looking for excellent and easy side hustles for accountants, Here are the best side hustles to help you make the most of your skills and knowledge as a accountant. So get ready to start earning!

1. Become a blogger as a side hustle

Are you looking for a business idea you can start from home? One great option to explore is to start your own blog.

With the flexibility of location independence, you can work on your blog from anywhere in the world!

What’s amazing about blogging is that anyone can start with just a computer and the internet! Besides, you don’t need any special talents or previous experience to start.

It’s an open field that welcomes anyone who has a passion for writing and sharing their thoughts with the world. The best part is that it can be one of the most rewarding passive income business ideas you can start.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $199 (?)

How long does it take to build: 6 days (?)

2. Start a food delivery business as a side hustle ($206K/month)

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

3. Start a grocery delivery service as a side hustle

Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.

As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.

How much you can make: $83,333,333/month

4. Start a data entry service as a side hustle

Data entry service is expanding and growing with each passing day. Thus, starting a data entry business can be a profitable opportunity. Data entry experts can work from home and choose their preferred work schedule. To become a data entry specialist, you need computing skills. Alternatively, you can outsource the contracts to a third party.

How much you can make: $5,000/month

How long does it take to build: 400 days (?)

5. Start a podcast as a side hustle ($39.5K/month)

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,055 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

6. Become a survey taker as a side hustle

How much you can make: $50,000 — $1,600,000/month

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

7. Start an office space rental as a side hustle

Demand for office space rental is booming. The forces that trigger the increase in demand for office space include a more significant number of startups, remote work culture, and an increase in office space per employee as businesses seek to decongest.

With demand for office space expected to increase, starting an office rental business is a wise investment. If you plan to start an office rental business, consider proximity to essential amenities, and ensure the office is accessible.

Before starting the office rental business, it’s a good idea you research the competition in your area. Be sure to understand the competitive landscape and choose where the office rental business fits best.

How much you can make: $14,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

8. Become a social media influencer as a side hustle

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

9. Start a pet sitting business as a side hustle

A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:

  • Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
  • Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
  • Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.

One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

10. Start a copywriting business as a side hustle ($12K/month)

A copywriter creates clear, compelling copy to sell products and/or educate and engage consumers.

To become a copywriter, focus on covering the basics, plan your copywriting business and choose the services you intend to offer.

To develop your brand, establish a marketing strategy, and offer quality services to your audience. Email marketing, newsletters, and other digital marketing tools can help you create a successful copywriting business.

How much you can make: $700 — $160,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 41 days (?)

11. Develop an ecommerce operating system as a side hustle

How much you can make: $1,060,000/month

12. Start a business plan writing business as a side hustle

A business plan writing business is a service that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners create well-structured and comprehensive business plans.

These plans serve as roadmaps for their businesses, outlining goals, strategies, and financial projections. Starting a business plan writing business involves skills in research, analysis, and writing.

You’ll work closely with clients to understand their vision and then translate it into a professional document that can be used to attract investors, secure loans, or guide their business growth.

This low-cost business idea requires minimal initial investment, mainly for marketing materials and a basic online presence, making it an accessible option for aspiring entrepreneurs.

How much you can make: $62,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $35 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

13. Start a tax accountant business as a side hustle

A tax accountant prepares, files, and manages individual and corporate taxes according to tax laws and regulations. To become a tax accountant, consider taking tax law courses, so you are well prepared for your career. Although a bachelor's degree isn't always required, most accountants have one.

Some employers prefer hiring tax accountants with a Master's degree in accountancy or business administration.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

14. Become a real estate investor as a side hustle

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

15. Start a stock market research website as a side hustle

How much you can make: $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

16. Start an online course creation business as a side hustle

Starting an online course could be perfect if you want a passive income. Whatever your background, you could start teaching online and earn a passive income.

All you need to start an online course is patience, imagination, and an enabling eLearning platform where you can connect with the relevant audience.

Online courses may take time and require a lot of effort to start selling. However, once your audience finds the content resourceful, they start sharing and recommending it through their network. Remember, creating an online course could take longer than expected, so remain focused and give your best.

How much you can make: $1,666,666/month

17. Start a digital ebook business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $100,000/month

18. Start a teaching & consulting business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $12,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

19. Start a tutorial blogging business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $10,000 — $100,000/month

20. Start a freelance writing business as a side hustle ($67.2K/month)

Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.

Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,

To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:

  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to meet deadlines
  • Stay on the cutting edge
  • Be a self-starter
  • Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
  • Proper communication skills

How much you can make: $700 — $320,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

21. Start an online course sales business as a side hustle

Do you know you can make money selling what you are passionate about? People are making money creating courses and selling them online. Common online courses include music, cooking, coding, web design, dropshipping, etc.

Thus, you can turn it into a passive income by launching online classes if you have a skill. All you need is to choose a target audience, create the online course and choose an online learning platform where you can sell the course.

The e-learning market is expected to be worth over $645 Billion in the next few years.

How much you can make: $100 — $1,666,666/month

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

22. Start a youtube channel as a side hustle

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

23. Start an online t-shirt business as a side hustle ($143K/month)

Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.

Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

24. Start a home bakery as a side hustle

How much you can make: $2,500 — $3,750/month

25. Start an amazon seller business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $3,000 — $1,175,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

26. Start a dropshipping reseller as a side hustle

Drop shipping is a retail fulfilment method in which the retailer does not keep goods in stock but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer, another retailer, or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer.

Drop shipping doesn't require much investment and it has a low risk because it doesn't require upfront costs. Besides, dropshipping can be a profitable business model for merchants since they do not pay for shipping or cost of product manufacturing.

To start the business follow these steps:

  • Choose a niche
  • Perform competition research
  • Find a reputable manufacturer/supplier
  • Build an online store
  • Market your store
  • Analyze and improve your offering

If you do not want to create a dropshipping business from scratch, you can find a dropshipping business for sale on exchange marketplace.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $150,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

27. Start a private tutor business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 1200 days (?)

More business ideas

  • 28. Become a virtual bookkeeper as a side hustle

29. Start a tax consulting business as a side hustle

A tax consulting business involves providing tax preparation, planning, and advisory services to help clients manage their financial obligations and opportunities.

As a consultant, you use your expertise to oversee tax filings, maximize returns, and minimize liabilities while identifying legal savings strategies.

Given the complexity of tax codes, the demand for specialized guidance tailored to individual situations creates a great opportunity for building a successful practice.

If you have strong financial acumen, a tax consultancy presents a versatile business model that combines vital compliance services with year-round planning and advisory services, leading to robust revenue potential.

How much you can make: $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

30. Start a tax service business as a side hustle

A tax service business helps individuals and businesses prepare and file their tax returns accurately and efficiently. This business typically offers tax preparation, tax planning, and consulting on tax-related matters.

To run a successful tax service business, it is essential to stay up-to-date on the latest tax laws and regulations and any changes that may affect your clients. You should also invest in reliable tax preparation software and thoroughly understand how to use it.

Another key to success in this business is building strong relationships with your clients. This may involve offering personalized services and being available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the tax preparation process.

Marketing and networking are also crucial for attracting new clients. This may involve utilizing social media, creating a website, and attending local business events.

Overall, a tax service business can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs with a strong understanding of tax laws and a dedication to providing excellent customer service.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $370,000/month

More business ideas

  • 31. Start a virtual tutoring business as a side hustle
  • 32. Start a remote patient examination business as a side hustle
  • 33. Start a virtual reality professor business as a side hustle
  • 34. Start an eteaching business as a side hustle
  • 35. Start a ridesharing company as a side hustle
  • 36. Become a driving instructor as a side hustle
  • 37. Start an office moving business as a side hustle
  • 38. Start a caregiver as a side hustle
  • 39. Start an affiliate marketing without website business as a side hustle
  • 40. Become an excel consultant as a side hustle

41. Start a virtual accounting business as a side hustle

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.

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

More business ideas

  • 42. Start a financial auditor as a side hustle

How to pick the perfect side hustle for you?

Side hustles are great for you as a accountant. For some, it's about paying off debt or building savings. Others use it to take vacations and spend more money.

Apart from money, side gigs can open doors to new careers. So, as a accountant, you should consider your side hustle carefully rather than just finding one randomly.

Here are some tips for picking your side hustle as a accountant:

Pick a side hustle you enjoy

As a accountant, you likely spend 40 hours or more working on your main tasks each day, which means you are pretty tired at the end of the day. In addition, a accountant's life can be stressful, so finding a side hustle you enjoy is crucial.

Working 10 hours a week at a side hustle as a accountant will be challenging, so that side work should be something you enjoy. With this in mind, you could turn your hobby into an income source. This way, that side hustle won't seem so hard.

Prioritize choosing flexible side hustles

Having a side hustle shouldn't interfere with your accountant's duties. As a accountant, it pays to choose a side hustle that accommodates your schedule and deadlines. If you don't have predictable tasks as a accountant, you may need to prioritize choosing a side hustle that offers flexible hours.

Get a job with room for growth

It is not uncommon for accountants to turn their side gigs into full-time jobs. However, accountants' side hustles can be good to carry into retireaccountantst, especially if you start them later in life. As a result, you can earn a living and do something meaningful with your time.

For this reason, it's wise to take on a secondary gig with expansion potential. For instance, if you're a accountant who decides to do graphic design work on the side, you can grow the job as more clients discover you. However, if you work a seasonal job at a restaurant to make some money, you might find yourself unemployed soon.

Find a side hustle that pays

While you might like your side hustle as a accountant, chances are you're doing it to earn more. So, if you're going to work on top of your duties as a accountant, you should do something that lets you earn but you still enjoy it.

Try to find that sweet spot in between. It can make a noticeable difference in your finances as a accountant, but you'll also enjoy and learn from it.

Having a side hustle as a accountant is an excellent idea to boost your earnings. If you choose the proper gig, you'll hopefully have a rewarding experience.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work for myself as a accountant?

As a accountant, you can work for yourself, and you will improve your skills and abilities while improving your career prospects.

Having the ability to work on your own as a accountant can result in greater productivity. This is because besides the daily tasks you must complete as a accountant, you are challenged to do more.

How much time do I need to spend on a side hustle as a accountant?

The time you need to spend on a side hustle depends on your free time as a accountant. After all, a side hustle is meant for us to earn more using only the time we can spare. Therefore, as a accountant, you must maintain a balance of everything.

The goal here is to understand how much time you have besides the time you have to do your tasks as a accountant and the time for you to rest.

For instance, it takes around 8 hours daily to finish your tasks as a accountant, together with all your schedules. If the rest of the day is only spent doing leisure activities, then that's the potential hours for you to work for your side hustle.

Another essential thing to note as you consider the hours to spend on a side hustle is your resting time. As always, the last thing you'll want is to compromise your time to rest, as it can affect your health in all aspects, especially when you have tasks to finish as a accountant.

In short, please take it as a rule of thumb to evaluate your day. It includes your tasks as a accountant, your time to sleep and rest, and your spare time. Once you do so, you'll learn how much time to spend on a side hustle and pick one according to it.

How much can I make side hustling as a accountant?

Every side hustle has its potential income to offer. As a accountant, you can make as little or as high an income depending on your chosen side hustle.

In most cases, the potential income you can earn from side hustling as a accountant can be 10%, 20%, or 30% of your actual income if you're working full-time.

However, such a range depends mainly on your chosen side hustle, allotted work hours, and primary income. It's not even impossible for you to make more money from your side hustle over time than in your full-time job.

Conclusion

Accountants can find side hustles to make more money and have more job security. There are accountanty opportunities for accountants to find a side hustle, including online options.

Side hustles can help accountants stay current in their field, learn new skills, and network with other professionals.

Accountants should consider their goals and needs when choosing a side hustle. The best way to start a side hustle is by researching and planning.

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.