Are you an accountant looking for ways to make some extra cash? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! This article will examine the 15 best side hustles for accountants to boost their income.
Accountants are known for being great with numbers and budgeting, so why not capitalize on those skills? Plenty of opportunities are available, from freelance accounting services to becoming a virtual assistant.
Let’s get started exploring all the best side hustles for accountants!
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate or referral links that may reward me in the event of a subscription or sale (at no extra cost to you!). I only recommend products or services that I know and trust.
Best Side Hustles for Accountants and CPAs
Working with your qualifications and skill sets is the perfect way to check whether a side hustle is right for you. Consider these options low-risk and quick to adopt.
You won’t need to learn much new. They’re also a great way to test if you enjoy working for yourself before leaving your depth.
Here are some examples of what that might look like:
Freelance Accounting
Freelance accounting is an excellent way for accountants to use their skills to make extra money. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr help you find short-term projects that pay well. Best of all, many of these jobs come without much commitment on your part.
Freelance accounting also allows you to work with a variety of clients. This allows you to diversify your portfolio and gain experience. A major perk is a potential to make more money than you would make in a full-time job. Setting your own prices also gives you the freedom to set your priorities.
Starting as a freelance accountant is the easiest way to earn money from side hustles, as you’ll be ready to go from day one.
Start a Bookkeeping Side Hustle
Bookkeeping services are the perfect side hustle for accountants, as an accountant. After all, you already have the skills to form a successful business foundation.
Firstly, determine the type of services you’ll offer and the prices you’ll charge. This can include creating financial statements, setting up payroll, and more. Next, decide what services to offer and your fees, and determine your target market.
Or read my full review on how to start your bookkeeping business!
Consider the necessary equipment, such as computers and software, to run your business. For example, you’ll need specialist accounting software, such as QuickBooks, and other software necessary for your clients.
Ensure you get the appropriate licenses, pay taxes, and comply with all government regulations. Then, you can set up a successful bookkeeping business by obtaining the necessary knowledge and establishing a good foundation. It can take effort and dedication, but the rewards can be worth it!
Providing Tax Preparation Services
Tax preparation services as a tax consultant is one of the most common side hustles for accountants. However, offering tax services to individuals or small businesses presents a great opportunity to make extra money from the comfort of your home.
If you’re looking to get started in tax preparation, take a few courses to stay informed and updated on the latest from the Tax Code. You may also want to consider becoming certified, which could help you get more clients. Also, consider whether you want to specialize in a sector, such as real estate or legal.
You’ll need software, such as TurboTax, that you can use to file tax returns for your clients. Keeping up with the latest tax laws and regulations is also important. Once you’re ready to go, you can market your services and start making money!
Related: Turn Your Side Hustle Into Full-Time Income.
Related: 20 Best Side Hustles for Moms
Becoming a Financial Planner
Becoming a financial planner is an excellent side hustle option for accountants. Financial planners provide advice to individuals and businesses that help them make sound decisions about their money.
As an accountant, you already have the foundational knowledge to become a financial planner. You understand the complexities of the financial world, the importance of making sound investments, and the need for proper budgeting.
Becoming a financial planner allows you to set flexible hours by working from home. You can offer consultation services per hour (hourly rate) or provide more comprehensive services by the project. These include devising a retirement plan or helping someone with debt management.
Working with clients from anywhere is especially beneficial for anyone looking for a side hustle with low overhead costs. As a financial planner, you can significantly impact people’s lives. You can help individuals or businesses gain financial stability and reach their long-term goals.
You can also cultivate strong relationships with clients, especially if you can communicate the importance of money management. Becoming a financial planner is one of the most popular side hustle ideas for accountants. It’s a great way to make extra money, as long as you’ve passed your CPA exam, of course!
Working as an Accountant for a Small Business
Working as an Accountant for a Small Business is a great way to make extra money outside your day job. As an accountant, you have the knowledge and experience to help small business owners understand their finances. You can provide help with taxes, bookkeeping, or provide financial advice.
The great thing about working as an accountant for a small business is that you can set your own hours and rates. You can work as many or as few hours as you want and even specialize in certain areas.
For example, if you are knowledgeable about taxes, you can offer to help small businesses with their taxes. Or, if you’re experienced in financial analysis, you can offer your services to provide business owners with insights into their finances.
Offering Financial Coaching Services
If you have experience in accounting and finance, you can build a career helping people manage their finances better and reach their goals.
Financial coaching is an in-demand profession that allows you to set your own hours, prices, and services you provide. You can help clients budget, save, invest, and plan for their future. You can also advise on debt consolidation, tax, retirement, and estate planning.
The best part about offering financial coaching services is that you can work anywhere. You don’t need a dedicated office space; most work can happen online. You can also set your own rates, allowing you to earn more money.
The key to success is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in financial planning so that you can provide accurate advice to your clients. You will also need strong communication and interpersonal skills to explain complex financial concepts to your clients.
Become an Online Consultant
Online consultancy is a great way for accountants to use their unique skill set and make extra money online in their free time. Online consulting lets you leverage your expertise and experience to help people and businesses solve problems. As an online consultant, you can offer services such as:
● Helping businesses with their accounting and bookkeeping.
● Providing financial advice.
● Helping small business owners with managing their finances.
● Creating financial plans.
The great thing about online consulting is that you can work from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. You also have the freedom to choose your own hours and work with clients all around the world.
Also, you can use your accounting skills to help people in other fields, such as marketing, legal, and human resources. You can also create packages and offer discounted rates for those who need long-term consulting services.
The opportunities for accountants to make money as online consultants are vast and have the potential to be very rewarding. It is a great way to make extra money on the side and use the skills you already have meaningfully.
Related Side Hustles for Accountants
If you want to apply your skills differently, try offering an alternative professional service. These side hustles will feel familiar enough while being a refreshing change from the daily grind of your old or existing accounting job!
Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Becoming a virtual assistant (VA) is a profitable side hustle for certified accountants looking to make extra money. As a VA, you can offer your accounting knowledge to small business owners without needing an in-person presence. Virtual support allows you to expand your customer base and the services you can offer.
Virtual Assistants can help with a variety of tasks. These include processing invoices, tracking income and expenses, setting up bookkeeping systems, and creating financial reports. You can also provide general administrative services such as creating presentations, scheduling meetings, managing emails, and organizing digital files.
If you understand social media, you can also offer these services to your customers. By becoming a Certified Virtual Assistant, you can become an expert in various aspects of accounting and monetize your skills.
The flexibility that comes with this type of work is unmatched. You can set your hours and work from anywhere, making virtual assistant work a popular introduction to side hustling.
You can learn everything virtual assistant related from VaNetworking. In addition, they provide FREE resources and training to start up and run a successful Virtual Assistant business, including contracts.
Working as an Online Tutor
Working as an online tutor is a great side hustle for accountants, taking advantage of your technical knowledge of bookkeeping, finance, and other accounting topics. You can work in the comfort of your home, choose your rates and hours, and work with students of any level.
Online tutoring makes it easier to reach out to more students located all over the world. Getting started as an online tutor is easy. All you need is a computer with a good internet connection, and you can get started. You can market your services on any popular online tutoring platform or create a website or blog to advertise as an online tutor.
Before you start tutoring, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the topics you’re teaching. You should also have an understanding of the different educational methods and strategies for teaching. By offering quality online tutoring services, you can position yourself to diversify your skills and generate a decent side income!
Taking On Research Projects
Taking on research projects can be a great side hustle for accountants with an analytical mindset. This includes conducting market research, researching potential business opportunities, researching financial data, and creating reports. Those with an accounting background may find research work appealing as it’s easy to do from home. You can also save money by not needing to commute anywhere!
Research work is a great way to make extra money. For example, you could provide research services to companies that need data-driven decisions and research into potential investments. In addition, research projects can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.
Research work offers the opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry and hone your skills. You can open new doors and land lucrative projects with the right connections. So whether you’re looking to supplement your income or use your accounting skills to launch a side hustle, research projects may be the right fit.
Passive Income Ideas for Accountants
If you want to try something new, you can make the most of your experience as an accountant. There’s a wealth of opportunity in the content creation space. Content creation can be anything from writing articles, creating videos, and designing infographics.
Content creation can be a great way to make some passive income. It also provides an outlet to express your accounting knowledge and expertise. By creating content that people find valuable, you can build up a loyal following which can help you monetize your content over time. Here are some examples and how you can generate an income on the side:
Writing and Editing Financial Content
Writing financial content is a unique challenge that requires a specific skill set. Accountants must have an intimate knowledge of finances, taxes, and other related topics. Also, they must be able to communicate these concepts to the intended audience.
When crafting financial content, accountants must keep the reader in mind and tailor it to their needs and interests. Consider providing step-by-step instructions, examples, and visuals to break up the text and make it easier to digest. Many freelance writers don’t write the content. Editing financial content also requires a unique set of skills.
Accountants must be able to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the content, which can include checking for errors, typos, and inconsistencies in the text. They must also ensure that the content is comprehensive and easy to follow.
As an accountant, you must also be aware of any potential legal or regulatory issues that could arise. Taking appropriate steps to ensure compliance and avoid misadvise is a must. Becoming an experienced financial content writer is a meticulous and often time-consuming process, but it can be lucrative and rewarding.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an excellent side hustle option for accountants who want to profit from their blogs. Businesses set up affiliate programs to promote products to a wider audience.
You may have been looking for ways to earn extra cash as an accountant. One option that you should consider is Amazon LLC’s associate program. The llc associates program allows accountants to promote products on Amazon and receive a commission for any sales made through their unique affiliate link.
By becoming an Amazon associate, accountants can leverage their expertise in finance and economics to create content that resonates with potential buyers. For example, they can write product reviews, comparisons, or guides related to accounting tools or software available on Amazon, which can help readers make informed decisions while earning commissions. Additionally, they could use their social media accounts or personal blogs to drive traffic toward their affiliate links.
Another way an accountant can utilize the associated program is by recommending books that would benefit others in the industry.
The key to successful affiliate marketing is focusing on products or services your readers will find helpful. For example, suppose you are writing a blog about financial planning. You could promote books and courses related to budgeting and investing. You should also provide honest reviews of the products or services you promote, which will build trust with your readers.
Of course, creating the content itself doesn’t generate passive income. But by adding affiliate links, you can create a passive income stream of extra income monthly. Once the content’s published, all you need to do is make sure your affiliate links are up-to-date. With an affiliate advertising program designed to maximize sales, there’s no limit to how much money you can make!
Starting a Podcast or YouTube channel
One of the accountants’ most popular side hustles is starting a podcast or YouTube channel (or both!). Podcasts can be a great way to showcase your expertise and share your knowledge with the world without leaving your home. In addition, your podcast can reach an even wider audience with platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You’ll need to choose a podcast topic, research related topics, and decide on a format to get started. Once you’ve chosen your format, figure out what equipment or software you’ll need, and set up an account.
Once you’re ready to record and publish your podcast, the next step is to promote it to help build an audience. If you’re confident in front of a camera, then bring your podcast front of the camera to maximize your audience. It’s a great way of generating extra income by leveraging your knowledge and expertise.
The potential is to create a successful podcast to build your brand and generate more clients. Podcasting is one of the hottest passive income ideas around. You can also generate ad revenue from your views and listen!
Teach and Create Online Courses
Teaching online courses is a great side hustle for accountants. Imagine leveraging your experience and knowledge to help guide and mentor others. With online course platforms such as Teachable, Kajabi, and Thinkific, you can create your course and sell it on sites like Udemy.
You can teach anything from accounting fundamentals to tax preparation, financial planning, and more. You don’t have to be an expert in online teaching, either. Creating a course outline with simple topics and steps is a basic process. You can then use lectures, tutorials, or quizzes to help explain the topics in-depth and provide feedback and support to learners.
You can even develop a community of followers and create a great reputation as an online course instructor. All these factors can help you generate a steady income and provide a great side income.
Creating Financial Apps
Developing financial apps is one of the best ways to use your accounting skills while earning extra money. Apps have become popular in the last few years, and this trend is expected to grow. You can design, develop, and market financial apps as an accountant. Knowing people’s pain points gives you a head start in solving people’s money problems.
The key to creating successful financial apps is understanding the needs and challenges of users. You’ll need to identify and solve people’s problems when trying to manage their finances, which means having the technical know-how and the ability to design easy-to-use interfaces.
Learn how to market your app and connect it to the right users. Developing financial apps is an excellent way for accountants to capitalize on their skills and make extra money.
Get it right, and you can create an app that solves a real-world problem and makes you money. It’s a great side hustle you can start and maintain in your spare time with little risk.
Final Thoughts on Side Hustles for Accountants
There’s no such thing as free money, but at the same time, you can make your skills work for you in many ways. Whether that means getting involved with clients or generating a passive income through content creation. There are plenty of ways to make money when you are an accountant.
The key is identifying what services you can offer and how to monetize them. Then, with some research and hard work, you can start your side hustle and turn it into a profitable business today!
Let me know in the comments what side hustle you are thinking about starting!
