How to Become a Bookkeeper With No Experience

Are you looking for a flexible, rewarding career that you can start from home—even if you don’t have a degree or prior experience? Becoming a bookkeeper with no experience is not only possible, but it’s one of the most in-demand online jobs out there right now. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, career changer, or simply want a legit work-from-home job that pays well, virtual bookkeeping could be your perfect match. In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to become a bookkeeper from scratch, the skills you’ll need, how much you can earn, and the best places to find remote bookkeeping jobs.

What Is a Bookkeeper (And What Do They Actually Do)?

A bookkeeper is someone who helps businesses keep track of their financial transactions. They record, organize, and manage everything from sales and receipts to expenses and payroll. Unlike accountants, bookkeepers don’t need a college degree or professional certification to get started—though having training or a bookkeeping course under your belt helps a lot! Common bookkeeping tasks include:

• Recording daily financial transactions
• Reconciling bank statements
• Creating invoices
• Managing accounts payable and receivable
• Generating simple financial reports

Can You Really Work From Home as a Bookkeeper?

Absolutely! Thanks to cloud-based accounting software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and FreshBooks, many small businesses hire remote bookkeepers who can do the job from anywhere. In fact, virtual bookkeeping is one of the most popular and scalable work-from-home jobs for beginners—with some freelancers earning $25 to $50+ per hour once they get a few clients.

How to Become a Bookkeeper With No Experience: Step-by-Step

1. Understand the Role

Before diving in, get familiar with the responsibilities of a bookkeeper. Watch YouTube videos, read blog posts like this one, or explore free resources to see if bookkeeping sounds like something you’d enjoy.

2. Learn the Basics of Bookkeeping

You don’t need a degree, but you do need to understand the basics. Here are a few ways to learn:

• Take a free or low-cost bookkeeping course on Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare
• Watch tutorials on QuickBooks and Xero
• Try Bookkeeper Launch – a popular course that teaches you how to become a freelance bookkeeper from scratch

3. Get Comfortable With Accounting Software

Start by exploring free trials of:

• QuickBooks Online
• Wave Accounting
• Xero

4. Build a Sample Portfolio

Even without real clients, you can:

• Practice with mock businesses
• Create sample spreadsheets
• Showcase your skills in Google Sheets or Excel

5. Consider Getting Certified (Optional but Helpful)

These certifications can boost your credibility:

• QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor
• Xero Advisor Certification
• NACPB (National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers)

6. Find Your First Bookkeeping Job or Client

Work for a company:

• Belay
• Bookminders
• Intuit (QuickBooks Live)
• Robert Half

Freelance or start your own business:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• FlexJobs
• Facebook groups

How Much Can You Make as a Bookkeeper?

Here’s what you can expect to earn:

• Entry-level bookkeepers: $18–$25/hour
• Experienced bookkeepers: $30–$50/hour+
• Freelancers: $3,000–$7,000+ per month

Adding extra services like budgeting or payroll can increase your income even more.

Top Skills Every Bookkeeper Should Have

• Attention to detail
• Organization
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Comfort with spreadsheets and numbers

Pros of Becoming a Bookkeeper From Home

• No degree required
• Flexible hours
• Great pay
• Scalable career
• In-demand skill

Things to Keep in Mind

• It may take time to land your first client—be patient.
• Handling financial data requires professionalism and trust.
• Stay up to date with software and tax law changes.

Helpful Tools for Beginner Bookkeepers

• QuickBooks Online
• Wave Accounting
• Canva
• Google Sheets/Excel
• Trello or Notion
• Zoom (for meetings)

Final Thoughts: You Can Become a Bookkeeper With No Experience

If you’re looking for a legit way to make money from home, bookkeeping is a smart, low-barrier way to get started—even if you’ve never worked in finance before. With the right mindset, basic training, and some confidence, you can go from zero to earning a reliable income from the comfort of home.