Are you a big fan of numbers, wondering what to do with your finance degree besides a regular 9-to-5?
Consider becoming a freelance accountant or bookkeeper.
Here are the best freelance sites you can join to find freelancing work as an accountant or bookkeeper.
We offer this website completely free to our visitors. To help pay the bills, we’ll often (but not always) set up affiliate relationships with the top providers after selecting our favorites. However, we do our best not to let this impact our choices. There are plenty of high-paying companies we’ve turned down because we didn’t like their product.
An added benefit of our relationships is that we always try to negotiate exclusive discounts for our visitors.
Need to find an accountant or bookkeeper? Check out our list of the best freelance websites to find accountants/bookkeepers
Best Freelance Websites for Accountants/Bookkeepers to Find Work
1. Accounting Prose
Best overall
Taking the number one spot is Accounting Prose. It has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, making it a popular choice among freelance accountants.
You will need to complete an exam in order to have a profile on their site. But in exchange, you’ll be a part of an innovative team that embraces the newest technology and rewards accountants for creative, outside-the-box thinking.
Accountants with Accounting Prose also receive incredible benefits like a $400 health insurance stipend, a simple IRA match, unlimited paid time off, and plenty of support from upper management.
2. Upwork
Best for new freelancers
If you’re an accountant or bookkeeper who is new to freelancing, Upwork is where you should start.
Numerous organizations turn to Upwork to find freelancers, and many of these clients are searching for accountants and bookkeepers in particular.
There are hundreds of bookkeepers on Reddit claiming that most of their income comes from clients they have connected with on the popular freelancing site. They cite it as a goldmine of work opportunities for adept accountants.
The trick to success here is getting that first good review. Once you’ve successfully completed a job for a happy client and they leave a review, you gain trust from prospective clients. This makes others more likely to work with you.
Read our Upwork review.
3. Toptal
Best for experienced accountants
Toptal is our top choice for top freelance accountants seeking opportunities with major enterprise-level corporations.
Toptal opens the doors to an array of possibilities to work with prestigious brands like Bridgestone, Duolingo, KraftHeinz, and Shopify.
This platform’s distinctive approach centers on skills assessments rather than solely relying on CVs or extensive years of experience. So if you're a skilled accountant with training but not a long work history, Toptal provides an excellent avenue to access high-quality work.
Accountants and bookkeepers with Toptal can collaborate with people from across the world, fostering valuable connections and refining their expertise on a global scale.
Read our Toptal review.
4. Flexjobs
On Flexjobs, every opportunity presented is tailored for remote work. It’s an ideal choice for accountants who prefer the convenience of working from home or while traveling.
Similar to other freelancing platforms, you have the autonomy to establish your own rates or respond to available job listings.
What sets Flexjobs apart from its counterparts is its options for part-time and full-time positions in addition to freelance opportunities. This means that if you ever choose to transition into a full-time employee role, Flexjobs has that option available.
5. Guru
Guru is a reliable freelance network platform, equipped with robust security features to protect both freelance accountants and the businesses that hire them.
On this platform, you'll find a valuable progress-tracking tool that enables accountants and bookkeepers to invite team members and engage in real-time collaboration with clients. It creates a highly connected work environment.
When it comes to payment, Guru simplifies the invoicing process, offering a secure payment system directly on their site for easy, hassle-free transactions.
6. Indeed
A trusted platform for jobseekers across all industries Indeed is also one of the top places for accountants and bookkeepers to find freelance jobs.
The site offers a variety of gigs for freelance bookkeepers and accountants to apply for. Similarly to other freelance sites, you upload your resumé and clients can find you. You also have the option to apply for job postings.
Like other sites, it is a mixed bag. While the jobs you find on Indeed are legit, pay is often up to the client, so make sure you seek out the higher-paying opportunities.
7. People Per Hour
People Per Hour is similar to Upwork and another popular freelancing site Fiverr. However, it offers more location-filtering features.
The site is known to have generally higher-paying gigs than Fiverr or Upwork, but there are still a few low-paying jobs you may have to sift through.
Each application is reviewed by their team, so everyone on the site is legit.
The site uses AI to match freelancers with businesses that will mesh well together. You can even set up alerts for specific types of jobs and receive notifications when there’s new work that may be of interest to you.
There is a 20% fee on earnings up to $350, but luckily this percentage goes down the more money you make.
How to Become a Freelance Accountant/Bookkeeper
If you’re curious about what the difference is, check out our article on the differences between bookkeepers and accountants.
The first step to becoming a freelance accountant or bookkeeper is to receive the proper education. This usually includes an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in finance.
Accountants and bookkeepers should also receive a certification from established institutes. For example, in order to work as an accountant, you must take the test to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). You can also get certified through other channels like the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB).
Once you’re educated and certified, the next step is to decide what services you want to offer and choose a niche, if you want.
When you know what services you want to offer, set up an account on a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Kolabtree, detailing your qualifications and finding clients.
From there, grow your clientele through referrals and build your skills.
Benefits of Freelancing as an Accountant or Bookkeeper
There’s a reason that so many people, especially Accountants/Bookkeepers, are leaving their 9-to-5s in favor of a more flexible career as a freelancer.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of freelancing as an Accountant/Bookkeeper for a living.
Flexibility
Freelance accountants and bookkeepers have the freedom to set their own schedules and work from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility leads to improved work-life balance and reduced (or non-existent!) commuting time.
Diverse Clientele
Freelance bookkeepers and accountants can choose to work with a diverse range of clients, including small businesses, startups, individuals, or large corporations. This variety can provide valuable exposure to different industries and business models.
Higher Earning Potential
Freelance accountants and bookkeepers have the potential to earn more compared to traditional salaried roles. As a freelancer, you have the ability to set your own rates and take on multiple clients at the same time, increasing your income. You can also benefit from negotiating higher rates as your skills and reputation grow.
Lower Overhead Costs
Freelance accountants and bookkeepers have fewer overhead expenses compared to traditional brick-and-mortar accounting firms. You can save on rent, utilities, and office supplies, leading to higher profit margins.
Building a Personal Brand
Freelancing allows you to build your own unique brand and reputation in the industry. Positive client reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and a strong online presence can lead to a steady stream of clients and long-term success.
How to Choose the Right Freelance Website to Work For
To pick the right freelance site to work for, think seriously about your abilities, experience, and availability.
You should also take into consideration how much of your pay will be shaved off to pay platform service fees, as this can impact your overall income.
If you’re just getting started as an accountant, we recommend setting up an easy, free account on Fiverr or Upwork to start building your resume.
As you gain experience and improve your skills, you can look into more advanced, vetted sites like Accountingfly or Kolabtree.
The great thing about freelancing sites is that you can create profiles on as many or few sites as you want, allowing you endless work opportunities.
Best Freelance Websites by Category
Looking for more of the best freelance websites but need to browse by category? Check out our below freelance website reviews to either expand your portfolio or hire a freelancer for your next project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find freelance accounting work?
You can find freelance accounting work on sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Accountingfly.
Can an accountant work as a freelancer?
Yes, an accountant can work as a freelancer.
How do I market myself as a freelance accountant?
To market yourself as a freelance accountant, join freelance networks, establish a niche, network, and advertise and market yourself.
What is the rate for CPA freelance?
The average rate for CPA freelance is about $65 per hour or $130,000 per year.