Part-time remote accounting jobs are on the rise!
Technology has made it easier than ever to share and transfer documents without the need for physical paper.
Because a bill can now be sent by email, paid online and documented in online accounting software without ever having to be printed … it was only natural that accounting clerk, accountant and bookkeeper roles would be available to remote workers at some point.
More and more of these positions are popping up on remote work job boards, and it can be confusing what they actually entail. Many terms are used interchangeably, and the roles can range from entry-level to certification required.
Today, we are breaking down the remote accounting industry for you. Find out if you are qualified for this growing work-at-home field.
What do remote accountants do?
Many accounting tasks can be performed remotely by part-time workers:
- Data entry of transactions
- Classifying transactions
- Reconciling accounts
- Collections
- Customer service
- Organizing files, bills and receipts
- Payroll
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Consulting
- Analysis
- Tax preparation
If you land a remote job in accounting, these tasks (or maybe some combination, depending on your role) are likely how you’ll spend your time.
What skills and experience are required for remote accounting jobs?
Much of the confusion about part-time accounting work is because of the sometimes interchangeable use of the terms bookkeeper (or accounting clerk) and accountant. Bookkeeping, or clerking, tasks often include the entry-level tasks at the top of the list above, such as data entry and classification of transactions.
In many cases, no formal education is required for these positions. Many people learn them through on-the-job training. This is especially true in traditional employment roles where a supervisor can oversee your work and offer in-the-moment feedback.
In the remote accounting work world, however, there is often a lot more competition for available positions, and many employers are seeking workers who already have experience and can jump right into the role without a lot of training. Many online bookkeeping jobs still require experience or training, unless you’re starting your own bookkeeping business.
Tasks that can often only be performed by a trained accounting professional include consulting, analysis and tax preparation. These duties require a high level of detail and involve the most important and private aspect of a business — its financial records and money. Formal training is often required and can sometimes extend to CPA or CMA certification.
How much money do remote accountants make?
Just as the work is varied, so is the salary range. Obviously, an entry-level bookkeeper is going to make less than a certified public accountant. According to Glassdor, the average remote bookkeeper salary is about $30,000 a year, and the average pay for a remote accountant is more than $53,000.
How to get remote accounting jobs
There are many remote companies and accounting firms that outsource to remote workers. (This is especially true in the age of COVID.) As usual, we recommend FlexJobs and Remote.co for researched job leads. No scams!
You can also help small business owners crunch their numbers if you are skilled in QuickBooks.
Finally, keep an eye on Indeed and even your local Craigslist job board. Especially if you are looking for an entry level remote bookkeeping job, however, it’s more important than ever to perform your due diligence. Anything having to do with data entry is a target for scammers. Learn to spot the red flags.
A few of the places we have spotted recent remote accounting job postings include:
- TaxJar
- Robert Half International
- Kelly Services
- U.S. Bank
- Accounting Principals
- eXp Realty
- Vaco
- BELAY
If customer service is your specialty, you can also check into remote companies like Working Solutions, which often seasonally hires for clients like Intuit TurboTax.
Benefits of part-time remote accounting jobs
If you love numbers, virtual bookkeeping and remote accounting jobs offer plenty of benefits: You can save on your commute and work attire, and you may be able to work a flexible schedule (as do many remote part-time employees).
Although remote employees who have outgoing personalities can have a hard time working at home, introverts and empaths tend to thrive in the solitary environment. Many co-worker distractions are eliminated, allowing you to focus solely on the work at hand.
Whatever accounting firm or part-time job you choose, remember that a remote accounting career requires the same level of confidentiality and care that you would put forth in a traditional, office-based employee position.