Bookkeeping is having a serious moment. If you’re detail-oriented, organized, and good with numbers, 2025 may be the perfect year to become a freelance bookkeeper—especially with businesses across the globe leaning harder than ever into remote work.
With rising demand, flexible schedules, and hourly rates between $30 and $50, freelance bookkeeping is not only a great side hustle but a solid path to full-time income and long-term career freedom. You don’t even need a CPA license to start—just the right skills, mindset, and a little bit of guidance.
Let’s take a look at what makes online bookkeeping so appealing in 2025, what the job actually involves, and where you can find the best freelance opportunities right now.
What Does an Online Bookkeeper Actually Do?
As a freelance bookkeeper, your primary role is to track and manage the financial records of a business. This includes:
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Recording transactions (income and expenses)
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Reconciling bank statements
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Creating and sending invoices
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Managing accounts receivable and payable
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Generating financial reports (P&L, balance sheets)
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Preparing books for tax season
Most bookkeepers work with cloud-based software like QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, and Wave. Clients love bookkeepers who can keep things organized, spot discrepancies, and provide reliable reports month after month.
Required Skills for Freelance Bookkeepers
To stand out in 2025, here are the skills you’ll want to sharpen:
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Attention to detail (small mistakes cost clients big money)
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Basic accounting knowledge
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Familiarity with cloud accounting tools
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Time management and self-motivation
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Communication (you’ll often explain financial data to non-financial people)
No advanced math required—just precision and discipline.
Earning Potential: How Much Can You Make?
Most freelance bookkeepers start at $25–$30/hr, but experienced professionals easily charge $40–$50/hr, especially if offering bundled monthly services. Retainers of $300 to $2,000/month per client are common, depending on the business size and complexity.
And with the average small business needing 5–10 hours of bookkeeping per month, it’s not hard to manage multiple clients without working 40+ hours a week.
Work From Home and Set Your Schedule
One of the best perks of freelance bookkeeping is that it’s deadline-driven, not hour-driven. As long as you meet your client’s reporting deadlines, you can work early mornings, late nights, or in short sprints throughout the week.
All you need is:
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A solid laptop
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A reliable internet connection
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Access to cloud software
That’s it.
Where to Find the Best Freelance Bookkeeper Jobs in 2025
Let’s break down the top platforms and companies offering real, remote bookkeeping jobs this year.
Bookkeepers.com: Learn and Launch
If you’re just starting out and don’t have prior in-office experience, Bookkeepers.com is the first place you should go. They offer a free online workshop designed to show you how to launch a bookkeeping business—even if you’ve never worked in the field before.
Their courses include client acquisition, software tutorials, and business setup guidance. If you’re serious about turning this into a career, it’s worth checking out.
Fiverr: Build Your Gig-Based Brand
Fiverr has evolved from a $5 service hub to a serious freelance marketplace. On Fiverr, you create your own gig offering bookkeeping or accounting services. You set the price, the delivery time, and what’s included.
Tips to succeed:
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Use keywords like “QuickBooks bookkeeping” or “monthly financial reporting”
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Look at top-rated seller profiles and model your offerings accordingly
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Offer a basic package but upsell monthly services
Upwork: Ongoing Freelance Projects
Upwork is a powerhouse for freelancers in 2025. With thousands of active bookkeeping jobs, it connects you directly with clients looking for:
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Monthly bookkeeping
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One-time data cleanup
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Payroll services
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QuickBooks setup
You can filter jobs by hourly rate, length, experience level, and industry. Make sure your profile is fully optimized with keywords, certifications, and a strong pitch.
Intuit QuickBooks Live: Join a Trusted Name
If you’re already experienced and want something more stable, consider applying as a QuickBooks Live Bookkeeper through Intuit. You’ll be helping small businesses manage their books directly within the QuickBooks ecosystem.
Requirements include:
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3+ years of bookkeeping experience
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Experience with QuickBooks Online
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A willingness to work regular shifts (set hours per week)
This is more of a contractor position than a freelance gig, but it comes with steady clients and brand recognition.
Bookminders: Ideal for Part-Time Schedules
Bookminders is great if you’re a stay-at-home parent, a semi-retired pro, or just someone who wants flexibility. They offer part-time, remote accounting and bookkeeping positions with a predictable schedule—typically Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.
Their clients include small businesses and nonprofits. You can check their site under the careers section to apply for openings like “Part-Time Accountant.”
Freelance vs. Contract: What’s the Difference?
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Freelance: You control your clients, hours, and pricing. It’s your business.
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Contract: You work under another company (like Intuit or Bookminders), often with more structure and predictability.
Both have benefits, but freelance usually offers higher income potential and full autonomy.
Best Industries for Freelance Bookkeepers
In 2025, the demand for bookkeeping is strong in:
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Ecommerce: Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon sellers
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Digital agencies: Marketing and creative firms
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Coaches and consultants: Solopreneurs need solid numbers
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Trades and contractors: HVAC, plumbers, roofers
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Nonprofits: Often outsource their finance departments
Tools You Should Know in 2025
Here are the software tools that every freelance bookkeeper should master:
Tool | Purpose |
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QuickBooks Online | Industry standard for bookkeeping |
Xero | Popular with international clients |
Wave | Free tool for small business clients |
Gusto | Payroll management |
Toggl/Clockify | Time tracking for hourly clients |
Google Sheets/Excel | Reporting and client summaries |
Certifications That Make You More Competitive
You don’t need a certification to freelance—but it helps. In 2025, these carry the most weight:
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QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB)
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AIPB Certification
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Xero Advisor Certification
They’re especially useful when applying for remote roles with bigger companies.
Conclusion
The demand for skilled, dependable bookkeepers is only growing—and 2025 offers more options than ever to turn your skills into a flexible, high-income freelance career. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have experience, the resources, platforms, and clients are waiting for you.
You don’t need to be a CPA. You don’t need to be a math genius. You just need structure, consistency, and a genuine willingness to help businesses stay financially healthy.
So if you’ve been on the fence about diving into this field—2025 is the year to go for it.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. We do not provide financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. How2Cash.com may include affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.