Can Bookkeeping Help You Work Remotely? Yes—Here’s How
The Question Everyone's Asking (But Afraid to Voice)
Let me guess: You're tired of the Lagos traffic. Tired of spending half your salary on transport. Tired of sitting in an office doing work you could easily do from your living room.
You've probably scrolled through those "digital nomad" posts on Instagram, wondering if remote work is actually real or just another internet fantasy. Well, here's some good news that might surprise you:
One of the fastest paths to legitimate remote work is sitting right under your nose, and it's called bookkeeping.
I know what you're thinking: "Bookkeeping? That sounds boring and complicated." But hear me out, because this might just be the career pivot that changes everything for you.
The Remote Work Reality Check
Here's what happened during the pandemic: Companies across the world suddenly realized that most office jobs could be done remotely. But here's what most people don't know, bookkeeping was already remote-friendly long before COVID-19 hit.
Why? Because numbers don't care where you sit when you crunch them.
The proof is in the numbers:
- Remote bookkeeping jobs have increased by 300% since 2020
- Small businesses are hiring remote bookkeepers at record rates
- You can literally work for clients in the US, UK, or Canada while sitting in your home in Nigeria
What Does a Remote Bookkeeper Actually Do? (It's Simpler Than You Think)
Forget the intimidating image of someone surrounded by mountains of paperwork. Modern remote bookkeeping looks nothing like that.
Your typical day might include:
- Logging into cloud-based software (like QuickBooks or Xero)
- Recording business transactions (sales, expenses, payments)
- Reconciling bank statements (making sure everything matches)
- Sending invoices to clients and tracking payments
- Creating simple financial reports
Real talk: If you can use WhatsApp Business, you can learn bookkeeping software. The tools are designed to be user-friendly, and most of your work happens with a few clicks.
All you really need is:
- Reliable internet (even 4G works fine)
- A laptop or decent computer
- Attention to detail
- Basic math skills (nothing fancy)
Why Bookkeeping is Perfect for Remote Work (The Honest Truth)
It's Always in Demand
Every business on earth needs their books kept. From that successful hair salon in Ikeja to the tech startup in San Francisco, they all need someone to track their money. And guess what? Most small businesses can't afford a full-time, in-office accountant.
Enter you: the remote bookkeeper.
It Pays Better Than You'd Expect
Nigerian market: ₦80,000 - ₦200,000+ monthly for part-time remote work International clients: $500 - $2,000+ monthly (that's ₦700k - ₦3M+ at current rates)
These aren't fantasy numbers—these are real rates our Blip School graduates are earning.
It's Recurring Income
Unlike one-off projects, businesses need bookkeeping done regularly. Land one good client, and you could have steady income for years. Imagine having 5-7 clients paying you monthly. That's financial security right there.
Perfect for African Professionals
The time zone difference actually works in your favor. While clients in the US are sleeping, you're working. Submit reports in the evening, and they wake up to organized finances. Everyone wins.
Your Step-by-Step Path to Remote Bookkeeping Success
Month 1: Master the Fundamentals
Start with our FREE Introduction to Accounting and Bookkeeping Course. No complex theories—just practical skills you can use immediately.
What you'll learn:
- How businesses track money
- Basic bookkeeping principles
- Introduction to popular software
Month 2: Get Software Savvy
Get comfortable with cloud-based tools like:
- QuickBooks Online (most popular globally)
- Xero (growing fast, especially in Europe)
- Wave (perfect for small businesses)
Pro tip: Most of these offer free trials, so you can practice without spending money.
Month 3: Build Your Portfolio
Create 2-3 sample projects. You can use:
- A fictional small business
- A friend's actual business (offer to do it for free initially)
- Your own side hustle if you have one
Month 4: Start Landing Clients
Local strategy: Network with small business owners in your area Global strategy: Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn and start pitching
The AI Advantage: Why Now is the Perfect Time
Here's something exciting: AI isn't eliminating bookkeeping jobs—it's making bookkeepers more powerful.
AI tools can now:
- Automatically categorize transactions
- Flag potential errors
- Generate reports instantly
- Handle routine data entry
What this means for you: You can manage more clients in less time, which means higher earnings. Instead of spending hours on data entry, you focus on analysis and client communication—the high-value stuff.
Want to learn how to leverage AI in your bookkeeping career? Check out our AI for Remote Work resources.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Remote Bookkeeping is Booming
Here are some eye-opening statistics that show just how real this opportunity is:
Market Growth:
- Remote bookkeeping jobs increased by 300% globally between 2020-2024
- 78% of small businesses now prefer hiring remote bookkeepers over in-house staff
- The global bookkeeping services market is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2025
Earning Potential:
- Entry-level remote bookkeepers earn $15-25/hour globally
- Experienced professionals can command $30-50/hour for specialized services
- 65% of freelance bookkeepers report earning more than traditional office workers
Geographic Freedom:
- Remote bookkeeping jobs are available in 150+ countries
- 89% of bookkeeping work can be done entirely online
- Time zone differences often work in favor of professionals in Africa and Asia
Job Security:
- Bookkeeping has a 0% chance of being fully automated according to Oxford Economics
- 94% of businesses need ongoing bookkeeping services (not one-time projects)
- The profession shows consistent 6-8% annual growth worldwide
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Upwork Global Freelancing Report 2024, QuickBooks Small Business Trends
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
If you're just curious: Start with our FREE Introduction to Accounting and Bookkeeping Course. See if you actually enjoy working with numbers and financial data.
If you're serious about remote work: Jump into our comprehensive Business Program that covers bookkeeping, basic accounting, and the business skills you need to succeed as a freelancer.
If you want to move fast: Focus on learning one software really well, create a simple portfolio, and start applying for remote positions within 60 days.
The Bottom Line
Remote work isn't just a dream, it's a reality that thousands of Africans are already living. Bookkeeping is one of the most accessible paths to get there.
You don't need a degree in accounting. You don't need years of experience. You just need the right skills, the right tools, and the determination to make it happen.
The question isn't whether you can build a remote bookkeeping career. The question is: Are you ready to stop dreaming and start building?
Your laptop-lifestyle awaits.
Ready to turn bookkeeping into your remote work ticket? 👉 Start with our FREE Introduction to Accounting and Bookkeeping Course today and take your first step toward location independence.
Found This Eye-Opening?
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Remember: Every remote worker started exactly where you are now. The only difference? They took action.
This post is part of Blip School's mission to create global opportunities for African professionals through practical skills education. Join our community of remote workers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads building careers without borders.