If you want to make money as an accounting student, then working as a bookkeeper might be the right fit for you.
Bookkeeping nowadays can be done off site thanks to cloud accounting softwares and that’s an advantage for you.
Not only will you earn extra income but you’ll also gain experience you can put in your resume.
This article will guide you on how to work as a bookkeeper while still studying.
1. Learn Bookkeeping
Accounting Basics are usually taught in the first semester or your first year in college so if you’re in your second year or higher, then you only need to review what you learned about bookkeeping.
If you’re a freshman or an incoming one, then start reading your textbooks seriously. Remember to find answers to “why” and learn the “how”.
2. Create Online CV and Resume
Next step would be to start creating your website and resume. This is what you’ll use to impress your prospective employer or client.
Let’s start with your resume first.
Go to canva and from there, you’ll see several resume templates you can use if you want to or you can choose to open a blank document and start from scratch, your choice.
Type your details (name, contact number, skills, education, certificates, etc.) and add colors or design whatever you want just make sure that it still looks professional.
After that show your masterpiece to your relatives and friends or even to a stranger just to ask for opinions (If 80% of them said it sucks then it probably is so go edit it).
Next your Online CV, and for that, you’ll need a website.
There are several ways you can do this, you can use Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. All 3 by the way will cost money but fortunately, it’s not that expensive.
I found some websites on google that allows you to create an online CV for free like CV online and Zety but in this case, I’ll recommend WordPress.org.
Why?
Because having your OWN website is more professional than letting others host it for you. Plus, you will use your website not just to create your CV or portfolio but also for your content.
What content?
That’s for step number 3 which is…
3. Create Content
Okay, so before we proceed, I will tell you why you need to do this, why you need to produce content.
- To show prospective employers or clients that you know what you’re doing.
This is especially important if you don’t have experience.
Those who have experience are often preferred by employers which, you probably don’t have so we need something else to stand out from all others.
Aaand that’s where the content you created will play a part.
Imagine you’re an employer looking for a bookkeeper and you see a blog post or a video teaching how to do bookkeeping wouldn’t that assure you that that person knows what he’s doing
- To create an online presence
With the rise of the internet and computers, applying for a job has become a bit different.
An elder once said that they would walk company to company handing their resume and look for job posts in the newspaper.
Just imagining it makes me exhausted.
But now, it’s different. We can send our resume in just a few minutes to several companies and it’s also easy to include your personal website link there.
Some employers nowadays will search google for your name to see what they can find.
Having a well designed website that compiles your achievements and experiences will help them know you in a more personal way than just looking at your one page resume.
- Be more confident
It’s easy to feel like a fraud especially when we’re just starting out. People refer to that as “Imposter Syndrome”.
It’s the feeling that you’re not qualified enough, that your achievements are just because of luck so you’re worried that you’ll be found out as a fraud.
I also felt like that at some time, I don’t feel like I know enough, I felt unqualified to be a bookkeeper despite having a degree in accounting.
That’s also one of the reasons why I created this blog, it is not just to show clients or employers but also to prove to myself that I know enough to do the job.
If you now know how important it is to have your own website and content then, I’ll list below some of the most popular types of content you can create.
Choose one or create all three, your choice.
3.1. Start A Blog (Recommended)
Blog posts are most commonly the first choice because of how easy it is (as opposed to other types) and the tools you’ll need are oftentimes already available to you.
A Computer or laptop and internet, that’s it.
You can even write your blog posts on your phone once everything is set up.
Also, I only discovered this after I graduate but blogging helps you study and remember what you’ve learned. Which is veerrryy important for accounting students.
I did try being organized back then by highlighting what I think is important in my textbooks only to realize that everything seems important.
So I stopped.
Study your first chapter carefully and then if you think that you understand everything go to google docs and write about what you’ve learned.
Mention the meaning of theories, teach them how to do it.
And then check everything if you’ve got it right.
Don’t forget to list your references. Let’s beware of plagiarism.
Blog posts can also serve as your reviewer and there’s a chance to monetize it.
3.2. Videos
If you prefer talking to a camera than writing, then this is probably for you.
But if you can do both writing and recording then I’ll recommend you to do it.
The benefit of choosing this is that you’ll probably stand out more.
Why?
Because most people are not comfortable speaking in a camera so you, who are able to do this, have an advantage.
You can upload your videos on youtube and embed it on your personal website, you can even mention it in your resume.
3.3. Record Your Voice (Podcast)
Podcasts are becoming more and more popular nowadays.
If you don’t want to write and are uncomfortable on camera, then you can record your voice and create a podcast.
4. Study Popular Accounting Softwares
In this world of developing technology, you don’t want to be left behind.
Accounting softwares is now more popular and because of the pandemic Covid-19, a lot of people now prefer to work from their home.
Bookkeepers, who were once tied to their office desk, are now able to do their work anywhere thanks to the rise of cloud accounting.
Can you see the benefit? Especially to you who’s still a student?
You can work when you don’t have classes or are waiting for your next class, and you don’t need to leave school.
5. Get Certified
The above steps are already enough to land you a job but additional certificates won’t hurt and it’ll bring you more credibility, so why not?
I’ll recommend getting certified on the software you decided to use like Quickbooks or Xero and an accounting or bookkeeping related certificate.
6. Apply To A Job
Okay, now is the time you’ve been waiting for.
Let’s go look for a job!
First thing you need to do is create a “Hire Me” or “Work With Me” page on your website, just in case someone reads your blog who’s interested in working with you.
Next, create an account on freelancing websites like Upwork, Flexjobs, Freelancer, Fiverr, etc.
You may also join facebook groups related to online jobs, bookkeeper jobs, and freelancing, or if you know your target market then join groups related to them.
If you still can’t find employers then, let them find you.
How?
Create a landing page and run an Fb Ad for your website.
What To Do After?
The after will depend on your circumstances and what you want to do but just in case you want suggestions or ideas then here you go.
After getting a job, learn as much as possible and as you grow, you can turn your freelance bookkeeping into a virtual bookkeeping business.
Or
Turn your freelance bookkeeping into a side hustle after you graduate in college and get a corporate job.
More income streams are better than one.
And I suggest not to splurge your income and start saving money to retire early.
To Niche or Not To Niche
I have a bit of a conflicted idea about this.
I think variety is what makes us unique.
But I also agree that specializing has its own benefits.
So what do I recommend you to do?
I normally strongly recommend picking a niche but for your case, we have to consider some things first.
Number one would be your interest. If you already have a clear path you firmly want to take, then no amount of blog posts would convince you otherwise.
I’m speaking based on experience here, because that was the case for me when choosing the topic of this blog, and one quick search on google will show that I’m not the only one.
Some people really just won’t give up until they experience it, like me.
Okay, second would be your age.
Why would that matter you ask?
If you’re reading this, then I’ll assume that you’re still young.
Which means…
You. Have. Time.
So don’t be afraid of experimenting, don’t be afraid to try, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to fail.
Take advantage of this time to try as much as you want, learn what you want, go explore and take that risk.
Okay I’m not a motivational speaker here or something so let’s go back to our topic.
My main point here is that if you already have a niche in mind then go for it, if not then don’t be pressured to choose a niche just because someone like me or the internet told you to.
Analyze for yourself if you want or need a niche now or if your chosen niche is the best fit for you.
Benefits of Working As A Bookkeeper While In College
Let’s start with the most obvious one,
- Extra Income!
I’ve been a working student before and the feeling of looking at your first salary is…
Very uplifting.
- Experience
Getting a job as an inexperienced fresh grad can result in two things; low salary or not getting the job at all.
Well that’s what I heard, I’ve got a job offer the first time I applied and I think it’s because of my working experience and my various certificates and training.
This is why I strongly recommend working even before your graduation and to invest in training and getting certified.
It has a HUGE benefit, Owkay?
- You can learn more through experience
Reading something in your textbook vs actually doing it is two different things.
Practicing what you’ve learned in an actual business environment will help you to consolidate what you’ve been studying so hard for.
And I also think that to deeply understand something, you have to experience it.
- You’ll gain confidence and friends
You will meet a lot of people while working and those people can be your professional network and your friend.
Your confidence and communication skills will improve as you get used to talking and working with people especially in a business environment.
Other Ways To Earn Money As A Student
- Monetize Your Blog, Vlog and/or Podcast
- Create an Ebook
- Online Courses
- Sell Gigs on Fiverr
- Create an Ecommerce Store
Conclusion
Working not only allows you to gain experience but also gives you additional income.
Not enough time you say?
During my freshman years, I have 20 hours of work and 29 hours of class every week.
I also need to commute from house to school for 3 hours everyday.
And there are a lot of people in this world that worked full time and still managed to work several side hustles.
But still a lot of people use time as their excuse.
So if you really want to do this, then dedicate a time everyday or week, even a few minutes everyday will take you somewhere, instead of just waiting for time to pass by you who was doing nothing.
