For those who want remote bookkeeping jobs, they need skills, proof of competence, and a secure workflow.
Use these steps on how to become a remote bookkeeper to build credibility fast and pass screenings with confidence.
Understand The Role and The Market
Remote bookkeepers record transactions, reconcile accounts, manage A/P and A/R, close books monthly, and produce basic reports.
Many employers also expect you to support payroll and sales tax filings under supervision.
Employment is expected to decline over the decade as automation consolidates tasks, but openings persist as workers retire or move.
Average remote bookkeeper salary
In May 2024, the median U.S. wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was $49,210 per year.
The lowest 10% earned under $34,600, and the highest 10% earned above $72,660.
Remote roles often pay by the hour or client.
Differentiate bookkeeping from accounting
Accountants generally need a bachelor’s degree and earn a higher median wage ($81,680 in May 2024) with projected 5% growth from 2024–2034.
If you want that path, plan additional education.
Build a Credible Skills Stack
You need core accounting skills. Master double-entry, the accounting cycle, bank reconciliations, and accruals.
Formal coursework helps. Industry bodies offer structured paths.
- AIPB Certified Bookkeeper (CB): Requires passing a four-part national exam, signing a code of ethics, and documenting 2 years’ full-time or 3,000 hours part-time/freelance experience (experience may be completed before or after exams within three years).
- NACPB / CPB License: Requires completing specified courses, certifications, training, experience, and adherence to a professional code of conduct. Starting January 1, 2026, candidates must complete NACPB’s program or meet alternate requirements under a licensed CPA/CPB.
Platform certifications also matter for remote clients.
- QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor: Free training and certification for accounting pros inside QuickBooks Online Accountant; widely recognized by small businesses.
- Xero Advisor Certification: Official training and badges through Xero Central to prove product expertise and appear in partner directories.
List these credentials in your resume headline and LinkedIn “About” section. They are easy for hiring teams to verify and filter.
Set Up a Professional Remote Workflow
Hiring teams screen for security, reliability, and responsiveness. Build these into your setup before you apply to a remote bookkeeping business.
Device and network hygiene
Follow recognized guidance for telework security.
Use updated anti-malware, enable full-disk encryption, keep OS and browser patched, and separate work from personal profiles.
Strong authentication and VPN
Use a password manager, enable MFA everywhere, and use a company-approved VPN or secure remote access when handling financial systems.
Client data handling
Understand the SOC 2 trust services criteria (security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, privacy).
You are not expected to produce a SOC 2 report as an individual, but knowing these principles helps you implement appropriate controls.
Document your practices
Create a one-page “Security & Workflow Summary” that states your MFA use, encryption, backup schedule, and data retention approach.
Share it during interviews to build trust.
Choose Tools Employers Expect
Most remote roles center on cloud software. You should be fluent in:
- QuickBooks Online or Xero for daily bookkeeping. Certifications above validate this.
- Excel/Google Sheets for imports, cleanups, and analysis.
- Document management (e.g., shared drives) with clear folder conventions.
- Receipt capture and bank feeds to reduce manual entry.
- Scheduling and communication tools for async work.
Create sample files that show reconciliations, month-end checklists, and clean financial statements.
Redact any sensitive data if you use real structure templates.
Prove Your Value With a Small Portfolio
One reconciliation walkthrough (screenshots with blur, steps, and checks). One month-end close checklist tailored to a simple service business.
One financials package (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) with 2–3 commentary bullets on trends.
A cleanup plan outline for a messy QBO file (chart of accounts fixes, bank feed rules, undeposited funds, suspense cleanup).
Keep everything client-agnostic and sanitized. Recruiters will appreciate your clarity and process.
Target Roles That Fit Your Entry Point
CPA and bookkeeping firms hire junior bookkeepers to support multiple clients. You get SOPs, reviews, and mentorship.
In-house remote roles require deeper process knowledge, steady hours. Tailor your portfolio to its industry (e.g., SaaS deferrals, ecommerce payouts).
With freelance/contract, you manage clients and the scope. Certifications help you stand out on marketplaces and directories.
Write a lean resume that passes remote filters
Keep it to one page if you have under 10 years of experience. Use a clean skills-first layout:
- Headline: “Remote Bookkeeper | QBO ProAdvisor | AIPB CB Candidate” (swap in Xero if relevant).
- Core skills: Bank recs, A/P, A/R, payroll support, month-end close, sales tax support, and cleanup projects.
- Tech: QBO/Xero, Excel/Sheets, receipt capture, payroll platforms.
- Certifications: List active and “in progress” with expected dates. Use exact names from the issuing bodies.
- Evidence: One or two bullets per job with quantified outcomes (e.g., “reduced month-end close from 10 to 5 days”).
Remove vague claims. Keep verbs concrete: reconciled, closed, implemented, documented.
Pitch With a Focused Cover Letter
You are remote. Show that you communicate clearly in writing.
Open with your tool + industry fit (“QBO ProAdvisor supporting agencies and coaches”).
Add one sentence on your security posture (MFA, encryption, SOPs). Close with availability, time zone, and a link to your sanitized portfolio.
Prepare For Skills Screens
Expect practical tests. Practice on trial files so you can work fast and narrate your steps.
You may be asked to reconcile a sample bank statement with a QBO or Xero file, or classify transactions and fix common errors.
Explain your month-end checklist is a common topic.
Suggest a simple chart of accounts for a small service business. Describe your backup and security practices in two minutes.
Where to Find Remote Openings
Search firm career pages, accounting job boards, and curated remote sites.
Filter for “remote bookkeeping” and your software expertise. Build a shortlist and set alerts.
When possible, apply directly on employer sites to avoid screening delays.
(Listings change frequently; rely on the official careers pages of firms and reputable boards.)
Stand Out After You’re Hired
Work papers, reconciliations, and notes that explain decisions. Bank rules, recurring transactions, and checklists.
Keep MFA on, lock screens, and avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN. Follow recognized telework guidance.
Weekly status notes with blockers and next steps. Trial balance tie-outs and variance checks.
Plan Your Growth Path
You can advance without leaving remote work. Finish AIPB CB or NACPB CPB to validate experience and skills.
Add QuickBooks Online and Xero certifications and keep them current.
Learn basic analytics in spreadsheets and, over time, management reporting.
If you enjoy advisory, consider formal accounting studies. The wage and growth data show the payoff when you move into accounting roles.
Final Words
Follow these steps, and you will present as reliable, secure, and ready for remote execution.
The market is competitive, but credible skills, certifications, and verified processes make you an easy yes.
