For accountants, a side hustle is a great way to make extra money and gain valuable skills. With the right approach and strategy, you can start your own side business and diversify your income while still keeping your day job. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best side hustles for accountants, including freelance accounting, consulting, bookkeeping services, financial advice, and tax preparation.

Best Side Hustles for Accountants

Accountants have different sets of skills and talents which makes them well-suited to a variety of side hustles. From accounting-related jobs to unique and creative roles, there’s something out there for everyone. Here are some of the best side hustle ideas for accountants:

Freelance Accounting

If you’re an experienced accountant, you can offer freelance accounting services to businesses in need of assistance. You can help them with their bookkeeping, financial analysis, invoicing, payroll processing, and more. You can also work with individuals who are looking for one-time help with their taxes or other financial matters.

Consulting

If you have a wide base of accounting knowledge, you can offer consulting services. You can help businesses develop their accounting processes and systems, as well as advise them on how to better manage their finances.

If you’re earning $600 or more from your side hustle, you will likely need to pay taxes on that income. You may also want to consider setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to reduce expenses and limit personal liability. Talk to a professional about the best way to go about this. With the right plan and strategy, you can make your side hustle a success.

Bookkeeping Services

Many businesses lack the time and resources to manage their bookkeeping properly. As an accountant with bookkeeping experience, you can offer bookkeeping services to help them stay on top of their finances.

Financial Advice

Another way to leverage your accounting skills is to offer financial advice to individuals and businesses. You can help them create a budget, maintain cash flow, plan for retirement, and more.

Tax Preparation

Many people dread filing their taxes each year, but you can make it easier by providing tax preparation services. You can help clients understand their options, prepare and file their taxes, and provide advice on how to save money.

Investment Advice

If you have a strong background in finance, you can offer investment advice and guidance. You can help clients diversify their portfolios, choose the right investments for their goals, and manage their risks. With the right strategy and approach, you can even help clients build wealth over time.

Virtual Accounting

If you’re tech-savvy, then virtual accounting may be the right side hustle for you. You can offer remote accounting services to clients all over the world and help them with their financials from wherever you are. This type of service is especially helpful for businesses that don’t have an in-house accountant or need extra help during tax season.

Accounting Software

You can offer accounting software solutions to businesses. You can help them select and set up the right accounting software for their needs, as well as provide support and training. This is a great way to use your accounting knowledge while also helping businesses streamline their financials.

Startup Assistance

With accounting experience, you can also offer startup assistance to entrepreneurs. You can help them set up their finances, create a budget, and manage their cash flow.

As a freelancer, if you earn at least $600, the startup company will give you a 1099 form. This means that the IRS will know about your side hustle, and you may be required to pay taxes on your earnings. To protect yourself, consider setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Talk to an attorney or accountant about the necessary steps for setting up an LLC in your state.

Teaching

There are many opportunities available for certified accountants to teach students in accounting, bookkeeping, and other related topics. Teaching college-level classes is one of the most lucrative ways to make extra money as an accountant. Additionally, colleges often provide benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Business Development

With your accounting expertise, you can help businesses develop their financial strategies and operations. You can provide advice on how to best manage their finances, as well as suggest cost-saving measures. Additionally, you can help them create budgets and forecast future expenses.

CPA Exam Tutor

As an accountant, you already have the necessary knowledge and experience to be a great tutor. You understand the material that is covered in the exams, and using your teaching skills, you can help students pass their tests with ease. The process of becoming a tutor is relatively simple. First, you’ll need to decide which exam you want to tutor. Then, you can advertise your services online or through word of mouth.

Online Courses

If you have a wealth of knowledge in accounting, you can offer online courses to students or businesses. You can create content that covers topics such as financial statement analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. Additionally, you can provide guidance on how to use accounting software and develop financial processes.

Virtual Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you can help people with tasks that don’t require an accounting degree. This could include things such as setting up email accounts, scheduling appointments, conducting research, data entry, and much more. In order to get started, you will need to build a website and market your services online. You can also join virtual assistant networks to find potential clients.

Sell Printables

Printables are digital products that can range from calendars, planners, and checklists to budgeting worksheets, invoices, and templates. All you need is a creative idea and the right tools to create them. Once they are created, you can start selling them online for extra income.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing can range from creating blog posts to authoring articles for magazines or publications. As a freelance writer, you have the flexibility to work according to your own schedule and take on projects that interest you. It also provides a great opportunity to build your professional portfolio and showcase your expertise. Freelance writing doesn’t require a lot of investment in terms of money or time, so it’s an easy way to start earning extra income with minimal effort.

YouTube Channel

Accountants can make a great side hustle out of running a YouTube channel. This can be done in various ways, such as creating videos about accounting topics for other accountants to learn from, providing advice for small business owners on financial matters, or even running tutorials for accounting software. A successful YouTube channel could even become a full-time job if it gains enough traction.

Podcast

Podcasts are a great way to share industry knowledge and engage with your audience while generating extra revenue through sponsorships, merchandise, and donations. One of the benefits of podcasting as a side hustle is that it is relatively easy to set up and requires minimal maintenance. You can create episodes at your own pace and even monetize them through sponsorships or advertisements.

Self Publishing

Self-publishing is another great side hustle for accountants. You can create your own books, ebooks, and other digital products related to accounting or finance. This is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with a wider audience while making extra money on the side. It also allows you to build a personal brand and be in control of how you market yourself as an expert.

Blog or Niche Website

If you’re an accountant looking for a side hustle, starting a blog or niche website can be an excellent way to supplement your income. You can leverage your knowledge of accounting to create content that will be valuable to readers and generate revenue from users who visit your website.

E-Commerce Store

With the rise of online shopping and the proliferation of marketplaces like Etsy and eBay, it’s never been easier to set up your own store. You can sell anything from handmade goods to digital products, to used items or even services. Setting up your own store gives you the flexibility to be your own boss and set your own hours. It also provides an opportunity to build a business that can be scaled over time if successful.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service offered by another business, and you receive a commission each time someone uses your unique referral link to purchase something from the company. This can be a great way for accountants to make extra money without having to sell or produce a product.

Online Arbitrage

Online arbitrage is an increasingly popular side hustle for accountants looking to make extra money. It involves finding online products to purchase at a discounted rate from one website and then selling them at a higher price on another website for a profit. This type of “arbitrage” allows savvy accountants to take advantage of the difference in prices across different marketplaces or websites, allowing them to generate a nice side income.

Online Market Research

As an accountant, you have the skills and knowledge needed to help companies better understand their markets. Online market research involves conducting surveys, polls, interviews, focus groups, and other forms of data collection to gain insights into customer preferences, behaviors, and demographics. You can use their knowledge to help businesses understand their target markets and make informed decisions.

Mobile Notary Service

Accountants often have the skills and knowledge to provide valuable services beyond traditional tax and accounting. One such service that can be easily added as a side hustle for accountants is mobile notary services. Mobile notarization involves having a notary public witness the signing of important documents, such as loans, contracts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents.

Amazon FBA Business

Amazon FBA stands for “Fulfillment by Amazon.” This business model lets you store products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, which then allows Amazon to handle the shipping and customer service for your products. This can be a great way for accountants to make extra money while also learning more about e-commerce.

Sell Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are incredibly useful for organizing and analyzing data, so there is a large demand for them from businesses and individuals alike. Creating spreadsheets can be extremely lucrative for accountants. They can create templates that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as budgeting, tracking expenses, managing inventory, and more. These spreadsheets can then be sold online or through digital marketplaces.

Flip Items

Flipping involves buying items, such as furniture, electronics, and other goods at a low price and then reselling them for a higher price. For example, you may come across an item in a thrift store or yard sale that is undervalued and has the potential to sell for more money. With some research and effort, you can turn a small investment into a tidy profit.

Home Baking

Becoming a home baker allows you to use your knowledge of business operations while also having the flexibility of working from home. You can have an advantage over traditional bakers since you don’t incur the overhead costs associated with owning a bakery. You can easily create a website or blog to advertise your services and start selling cakes, cookies, pies, and other baked goods.

Vacation Rental Property

Vacation rentals are becoming increasingly popular as more people are looking for unique and cost-efficient accommodation options when they travel. The great thing about buying a vacation rental property is that you don’t need to be present in order to manage it. You can hire a property manager and still make money from your rental. With the right financial strategies, you can make good money while owning a vacation rental property.

6 Steps to Start Your Side Hustle as an Accountant

Starting a side hustle business as an accountant can be an excellent way to utilize your skills, generate additional income, and explore new opportunities. Here are six steps to get you started:

1. Identify Your Niche

Determine the specific area within accounting that you want to focus on for your side hustle. This could be tax preparation, bookkeeping, financial consulting, or any other accounting-related service. Identifying your niche will help you target the right clients and differentiate yourself from competitors.

2. Develop a Business Plan

Just like any other business, it’s crucial to have a plan for your side hustle. Define your goals, target market, pricing strategy, marketing approach, and financial projections. A business plan will provide you with a roadmap and help you stay organized as you launch and grow your venture.

3. Consider Setting Up a Business Entity

Establishing a business entity offers key advantages, such as limiting personal liability and enabling easier transfer of ownership. The type of business structure chosen will depend on factors such as the size and scope of the venture, the type of services offered, and whether the venture is a sole proprietorship or partnership. If you want to get the benefits of reduced expenses and limited liability, you can choose to set up a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

4. Obtain Necessary Certifications or Licenses

Depending on your location and the services you plan to offer, you may need to acquire specific certifications or licenses. Research the requirements in your area and ensure you comply with any legal and professional regulations. This step will help you build credibility and instill trust in your potential clients.

5. Set Up Your Infrastructure

Establish the necessary infrastructure to run your side hustle smoothly. This may include creating a professional website, setting up accounting software to manage client accounts, and organizing your paperwork and documents. Ensure you have a dedicated workspace, accounting tools, and systems in place to deliver efficient and accurate services.

Promote Your Services

Develop a marketing strategy to promote your side hustle and attract clients. Leverage digital marketing channels such as social media, online directories, and professional networking platforms to showcase your expertise. Consider offering a free consultation or providing valuable content related to accounting on your website or blog to establish yourself as an authority in your field.

Earn More Cash on the Side with Side Hustles

Having a full-time job as an accountant can be rewarding and lucrative, and many people enjoy the stability of this type of career. However, for some, having a side hustle can be a great way to supplement your income or pursue an entrepreneurial venture.

No matter what type of side hustle you choose to pursue, remember that building a successful side hustle takes time, effort, and persistence. Stay focused on delivering high-quality services, continuously improving your skills, and maintaining a strong client relationship to grow your business over time.

If you want to expand your side hustle and increase your reach, setting up an LLC can be a great way. An LLC provides limited liability and tax benefits. Consider collaborating with a tax and bookkeeping assistance partner like doola to help you with your entrepreneurial dreams.

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