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How To Find Accounting Work from Home Opportunities In 2024
So, let’s be real: remote accounting gigs are blowing up right now. Everyone wants someone to wrangle their numbers, and—lucky for you—you can do it in pajama pants from your kitchen table. But where do you actually find these jobs? Whether you’ve been in the game for years or you’re just figuring out what a ledger is, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dig into the best ways to snag an accounting job without ever stepping foot in an office.
Accounting Jobs You Can Do From Home (No Suit Required)
Here’s the thing: “accounting” isn’t just one job. There’s a whole buffet of roles to pick from, each with its own quirks. Here are a few you’ll see pop up all the time:
1. Bookkeeper
Alright, this is the bread and butter. Bookkeepers handle the day-to-day money stuff. We’re talking:
- Logging sales and purchases (yes, all of them, even that random $17 receipt for printer ink).
- Sorting out income from expenses.
- Pulling together financial snapshots so business owners don’t go cross-eyed looking at their bank account.
2. Accountant
A step up from bookkeeping, accountants get into the weeds. They’re doing things like:
- Whipping up financial statements (think: balance sheets, income statements, all that jazz).
- Breaking down the numbers so companies know if they’re killing it or heading for disaster.
- Giving tax advice and making sure nobody gets a scary letter from the IRS.
3. Virtual CFO
Now we’re talking big leagues. Virtual CFOs are basically the strategic brains behind the money curtain. They’ll:
- Watch over the company’s overall financial health.
- Build budgets and forecasts (yes, spreadsheets galore).
- Drop knowledge on investments or long-term planning.
4. Freelance Accountant
Not a fan of being tied down? Freelance accountants are the lone wolves of the finance world. They:
- File tax returns for individuals or small businesses (busy season is wild, trust me).
- Help set up accounting software (QuickBooks, anyone?).
- Offer financial advice on a project-by-project basis.
Best part? You pick your clients, set your rates, and dodge the 9-to-5 grind.
Where the Heck Do You Find These Jobs?
Let’s not waste time scrolling through generic job boards. There are actually some solid sites tailored for accounting folks:
1. CloudPeeps
Kind of a cool scene here. This platform hooks up businesses with remote pros—lots of accounting gigs if you’ve got the right profile. Make it snazzy, show off your wins, and you might just get picked.
2. BookkeeperHub
All about bookkeepers and accountants. If you want to hang out with people who get your “I hate reconciling bank statements” jokes, this is the place. Plus, they’ve got a bunch of job listings just for remote work.
3. Accountemps
Staffing firm, but don’t roll your eyes yet—they specialize in accounting and finance. Tons of remote gigs, from entry-level to senior. Bonus: they sometimes have jobs you won’t see anywhere else.
4. FlexJobs
If you’re over spammy job ads, FlexJobs is a breath of fresh air. Every listing is checked out by a real person, which is sadly rare these days. There’s a dedicated section for accounting work-from-home jobs. Worth the subscription, honestly.
5. Remote.co
A catch-all for remote jobs, but their accounting section isn’t bad. You can filter stuff down so you’re not wading through postings for “virtual dog walker.” Handy resources, too.
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Before you start firing off those resumes, do a little self-inventory. What do you actually bring to the table? Be honest—nobody wants to get hired for a job they can’t do.
Can you use accounting software?
- QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks… if you can’t, go poke around on YouTube and learn the basics.
Are you a detail freak? Accounting is all about getting the numbers right. If you’re sloppy, this ain’t the field for you.
Do financial reports freak you out or fire you up? - If you can put together and explain a balance sheet, you’re golden—especially for higher-level gigs.
So, yeah. Remote accounting is wide open if you know where to look and you’ve got the chops. Now go get that bread (literally and figuratively).
b. Soft Skills
Alright, let’s be real—if you wanna make it in remote accounting, you gotta have more than just a calculator and a suit. First off, communication is king. Seriously, if you can’t write a clear email or explain stuff over Zoom without sounding like a robot, you’re toast. Time management? Oh man, you better be tight with your calendar, because those deadlines won’t chase themselves. And don’t forget problem-solving—because things will go sideways, and you gotta be the person who fixes it, not the one who panics and sends twenty emails.
2. Evaluate Your Qualifications
Okay, so you know what you need. Now, time for a little self-inventory. Grab a coffee, sit down, and get honest.
a. Educational Background
Got an accounting or finance degree? Flash it front and center on your resume—don’t be shy. No fancy degree? No worries, the internet’s your friend. Tons of online courses and certifications can beef up your skills and make you more attractive to employers.
b. Relevant Certifications
Look, having those shiny letters after your name (CPA, CMA, CB, whatever) is like having a golden ticket. If you’ve got ‘em, make them pop on your resume. If you don’t, maybe think about starting one—just saying, they open doors.
c. Work Experience
You ever do accounting work, even if it was just part-time, an internship, or that one time you helped your cousin’s bakery balance the books? It counts! Remote or not, if you’ve done the work, show it off. Volunteer gigs too—don’t knock ‘em.
3. Self-Assessment: Are You Actually Ready to Work Remotely?
Before you jump in and start firing off applications, take a sec. Are you really cut out for remote work?
a. Tech Comfort
You’ll be living on Zoom, Teams, Trello, Asana—pick your poison. If you’re the type who still struggles with email attachments, you might wanna brush up. No shame, just don’t let tech trip you up.
b. Working Solo
Nobody’s gonna look over your shoulder at home. Can you stay focused when Netflix, snacks, and your dog are all calling your name? If not, remote life might eat you alive.
c. Flexibility
Stuff changes. Fast. New tools, new rules, new everything. If you can roll with it, you’ll do fine.
Researching Job Opportunities
Now for the fun (or stressful) part—actually hunting for the jobs.
Where to Find Remote Accounting Jobs
There’s a bunch of sites out there, but a few are worth your time:
a. Job Boards
- Remote.co: Not bad, covers all sorts of remote gigs, accounting included. Easy to skim.
- FlexJobs: Yeah, you gotta pay, but the listings are solid. No scams, just real jobs.
- We Work Remotely: Straightforward and clean. Has its own accounting section. Worth a scroll.
b. Company Websites
Old school? Maybe. But a lot of companies post jobs on their own sites first. Got a dream employer? Stalk their careers page. And hey, follow them on social—sometimes jobs pop up there before anywhere else.
c. Professional Accounting Organizations
Big names like AICPA or your local accounting group—they’ve got job boards too. Sometimes you’ll find more niche or better-vetted listings.
2. Using LinkedIn (Because Of Course)
LinkedIn is basically the adult Facebook for work stuff, so use it:
a. Polish Your Profile
Make sure everything’s up-to-date—school, certs, jobs, all of it. Throw in some keywords like “remote accounting” or “virtual finance” so recruiters can actually find you.
b. Network
Add people. Join groups. Comment on posts. It’s not weird—it’s networking. Plus, a lot of jobs come from connections, not just cold applications.
c. Job Search
Set up alerts for remote accounting gigs. Follow companies you like. Keep your eyes peeled for new postings—it pays to be quick.
3. Don’t Ignore Professional Organizations
Seriously, these groups exist to help folks like you. Their job boards? Gold. Spend some time there—you never know what’ll pop up.
a. AICPA Job Board
Alright, first off—don’t sleep on the AICPA job board. It’s kind of a goldmine for accountants, especially if you’re gunning for remote gigs. You’ll find a mix of jobs, some in-office, plenty remote, and the whole thing’s pretty much tailor-made for CPAs on the prowl.
b. National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
NASBA’s got your back too. Their resources aren’t just for exam stuff—poke around and you’ll stumble onto job listings, and yeah, there’s remote work in the mix if you dig a little.
c. Local Accounting Societies
Don’t skip out on your local accounting societies or chapters. Seriously, they’ve got job boards, networking events, random workshops... all sorts of stuff you just won’t find anywhere else. Plus, it’s a lot easier to connect with people who get your local scene.
Networking and Building Connections
Let’s be real—networking isn’t just some buzzword people toss around. In accounting, it’s pretty much the cheat code to landing jobs, especially the hidden remote ones nobody bothers to post online. Wanna crack into the good gigs? Start talking to people. Here’s the lowdown:
Why Bother With Networking?
Honestly, half the jobs out there go to someone who “knows a guy.” It’s not just about swapping business cards either. You’ll get the scoop on industry trends, hear about new openings before they hit the job boards, and maybe even find yourself a mentor who’s been around the block. Plus, you’ll pick up plenty of tips and support along the way—beats going at it solo.
How to Actually Network (Without Feeling Like a Robot)
a. Hit Up Virtual Events & Webinars
Tons of accounting and finance webinars are floating around these days. Pop into a few, ask questions, chat up the speakers or other attendees. Afterwards, slide into their LinkedIn DMs (professionally, of course). It’s not as awkward as it sounds—promise.
b. Online Communities & Forums
Don’t underestimate Reddit, AccountingWeb, or LinkedIn Groups. Hop into some threads, answer questions, throw in your two cents. You don’t have to be a guru—just be present and helpful. People remember that stuff.
c. Social Media Isn’t Just for Memes
LinkedIn, Twitter, even Facebook—these platforms are crawling with accountants and recruiters. Post about your experiences, share interesting articles, or just comment on stuff. You’ll get noticed. Trust me, a well-timed comment can go a long way.
Leveraging Social Media for Job Leads
a. LinkedIn
Yeah, you’ve heard it a thousand times, but LinkedIn really is the spot. Keep your profile fresh, share relevant stuff, and actually talk to people—not just connect and ghost. Join accounting groups and get in on the action.
b. Twitter
It’s not all doomscrolling and viral nonsense. Follow hashtags like #AccountingJobs or #RemoteWork, and you’ll be surprised how many listings pop up. Engage with the companies and industry bigwigs. Sometimes, a simple reply kicks off a real convo.
c. Facebook Groups
Don’t roll your eyes—Facebook’s still alive and kicking, especially for niche job groups. There are whole communities just for remote accounting gigs. People post jobs, share advice, or just vent about work. Dive in, and you might find something good.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, remote accounting jobs are out there, and they’re not some unicorn. Hit up the right boards, talk to people, put yourself out there—even if it feels weird at first. Keep tweaking your approach, stay on the grind, and pretty soon you’ll land that sweet work-from-home setup. Beats the morning commute, right?