Bookkeeping for Freelancers | What You Need to Know + Basic Tutorial [CC English Subtitle]
TLDRIn this video, Abie Florendo shares her journey as a freelancer and bookkeeper, offering valuable insights and tips for aspiring bookkeepers. She discusses her transition from an Accounting Supervisor to online jobs, eventually specializing in bookkeeping. Abie emphasizes the importance of learning basic accounting principles, utilizing software like Quickbooks Online and Xero, and effective time management for handling multiple clients. She also provides guidance on pricing strategies and the benefits of offering service packages. Abie's story is an inspiration to those looking to enter the accounting niche and highlights the potential of freelancing as a career path.
Takeaways
- 📈 Transition to Freelancing: Abie Florendo, an Accounting Supervisor turned bookkeeper, shares her journey of transitioning to freelancing due to the pandemic's impact on her industry.
- 💼 Finding Bookkeeping Clients: Abie initially found bookkeeping clients through BossedUp PH and later expanded her client base through OnlineJobs.PH and FreeUp.
- 💡 Importance of Adaptability: Abie emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and willing to learn new systems, such as Quickbooks Online, to succeed in the bookkeeping field.
- 🛠️ Bookkeeping Tasks: Abie's day-to-day bookkeeping tasks include entering bills, reconciliations, and managing accounts receivables.
- 🏦 Time Management: Abie manages her time effectively by using time blocking and varying her work schedules to accommodate her seven bookkeeping clients and personal life.
- 💸 Pricing and Payment: Abie discusses her pricing strategies, including charging hourly rates on FreeUp and offering package rates for specific projects on Upwork.
- 📝 Contracts and Agreements: She mentions that on FreeUp, clients provide contracts which must be approved by the platform, ensuring a structured working relationship.
- 🌐 Recommended Tools: Abie recommends using cloud-based accounting software like Quickbooks Online, Wave App, and Buildium for real estate clients, as well as VPN for added security.
- 📈 Career Growth: Abie's experience shows that starting with basic bookkeeping tasks can lead to opportunities in more specialized areas such as payroll and tax compliance.
- 🎓 Learning Opportunities: She advocates for self-learning and sharing knowledge, offering free webinars for aspiring bookkeepers and emphasizing the availability of free resources online.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is bookkeeping for freelancers, including an interview with a bookkeeper named Abie Florendo and a basic tutorial on bookkeeping tasks.
What was Abie's background before becoming a bookkeeper?
-Abie was an Accounting Supervisor in an amusement company before the pandemic led to job loss, prompting her to transition into online work.
How did Abie acquire her first bookkeeping client?
-Abie got her first bookkeeping client through the agency BossedUp PH, after seeing a job opportunity posted in a group she joined.
What are the primary tasks Abie performs for her bookkeeping clients?
-Abie's main tasks for her clients include entering bills, reconciliations, and checking accounts receivables.
How many bookkeeping clients does Abie currently have?
-Abie currently has seven bookkeeping clients.
What platforms did Abie use to find additional bookkeeping clients?
-Abie used OnlineJobs.PH and FreeUp to find additional bookkeeping clients.
What is Abie's hourly rate on FreeUp?
-Abie's hourly rate on FreeUp ranges from $15 to $25 per hour.
What are the two main accounting software systems Abie recommends for beginners to learn?
-Abie recommends learning Quickbooks Online and Xero app for beginners.
How does Abie manage her time with multiple clients and her personal life?
-Abie uses time blocking to allocate her time effectively and manages different schedules for each client.
What advice does Abie give to aspiring and newbie bookkeepers?
-Abie advises them to study basic accounting principles, have the necessary equipment, and learn how to use the in-demand bookkeeping systems.
How does Abie handle payment terms for her bookkeeping services?
-For clean-up projects, Abie asks for a 50% down payment and 50% upon completion.
What is the starting rate Abie suggests for beginners in bookkeeping?
-Abie suggests a starting rate of $3 to $4 per hour for beginners.
Outlines
📝 Introduction and Background of Abie Florendo
The video begins with an introduction to Abie Florendo, a bookkeeper and part of the BossedUp PH team. The discussion covers her journey from being an Accounting Supervisor in the amusement industry to transitioning into online work due to the pandemic. Abie shares her initial struggles in finding online jobs, her first experiences with online chat support, and eventually landing a bookkeeping job through BossedUp PH. The video is divided into two parts: an interview about her experiences and tips for aspiring bookkeepers, and a tutorial showcasing her daily tasks.
🤝 Abie's Bookkeeping Journey and Time Management
In this segment, Abie delves into her bookkeeping career, discussing how she manages her time effectively while handling multiple clients and balancing her role as a mother. She shares her diverse work schedule, which varies from daily to bi-weekly client attendance, and emphasizes the importance of time blocking. Abie also talks about her success in acquiring clients from OnlineJobs.PH and FreeUp, highlighting the competitive bidding process and her strategy in setting her hourly rates. The discussion touches on her experience with different bookkeeping tools and the necessity of using a VPN for security purposes when accessing sensitive client information.
💡 Tips and Advice for Newbie Bookkeepers
Abie provides valuable advice for those new to bookkeeping, emphasizing the importance of learning basic accounting principles and familiarizing oneself with in-demand bookkeeping systems like Quickbooks Online and Xero. She shares her personal experiences of learning through online resources and support groups, and encourages self-study and continuous learning. Abie also discusses the potential starting rates for beginners and the transition to package rates as one gains expertise. Her insights into client acquisition, including the benefits of referrals and the importance of client relationships, are also highlighted.
🛠️ Bookkeeping Tools and Tutorial
This part of the video focuses on the tools Abie uses in her bookkeeping work, such as Quickbooks Online, Wave App, and Buildium. She explains the functionalities of these tools and their relevance to different types of clients. Abie also discusses the importance of using a VPN for security when accessing client accounts. A tutorial is provided, demonstrating the basics of using the Quickbooks system, including navigating the dashboard, managing bank accounts, and generating financial statements. Abie shares her tips on establishing a foundation in accounting principles to effectively use these systems and dispels the misconception that bookkeeping is merely a data entry task.
🎓 Free Webinars and Community Support
Abie talks about her advocacy of helping new bookkeepers by conducting free webinars and sharing her knowledge and experiences. She discusses her motivation to support others, given her own challenges when starting in the field. The video also promotes the Facebook page where Abie posts updates about her webinars and offers direct communication for those seeking advice. Additionally, the video concludes with a call to action for viewers to join the 'I'm Ready to Boss Up by BritxSui' Facebook group and follow the associated Instagram accounts for more content and community engagement.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bookkeeping
💡Freelancer
💡Quickbooks Online
💡OnlineJobs.PH
💡FreeUp
💡Accounting Supervisor
💡Time Blocking
💡E-commerce
💡VPN (Virtual Private Network)
💡Webinar
Highlights
Abie Florendo, a bookkeeper and member of BossedUp PH team, shares her journey from traditional accounting to freelancing.
Abie's transition to online work was prompted by the pandemic's impact on the amusement industry.
She initially took an online chat support job but found it uncomfortable and misaligned with her skills.
Abie's first bookkeeping job came through BossedUp PH, showcasing the value of networking and online job platforms.
Her initial challenge with Quickbooks Online was overcome through quick learning and adaptation.
Abie manages multiple bookkeeping clients by using time blocking, demonstrating effective time management.
She has built a team for e-commerce businesses, highlighting her entrepreneurial spirit.
Abie's diverse client schedule allows for optimized time allocation, emphasizing the flexibility of freelancing.
Her experience with challenging clients expanded her knowledge and skills in bookkeeping and accounting.
Abie offers advice on starting rates for beginners in bookkeeping, suggesting a gradual increase as expertise grows.
She uses various accounting software like Quickbooks Online, Wave App, and Buildium, showcasing the importance of software proficiency.
Abie's use of VPN for client security reflects a commitment to privacy and client trust.
Her success on FreeUp platform, with its high bidding rates, underscores the value of positioning oneself as an expert.
Abie's advocacy for teaching newbie bookkeepers through free webinars showcases her dedication to community and mentorship.
The interview concludes with a tutorial on basic bookkeeping tasks, providing practical insights into the profession.
Abie emphasizes that bookkeeping is not just data entry, but involves understanding accounting principles and financial rulings.
The video encourages viewers to engage with Abie's Facebook page for more bookkeeping tips and resources.