30 Side Hustles for Accountants to Earn Extra Income

As an accountant looking forward to earning an extra income, exploring side hustles is a great way to generate more revenue. Not only that, you will also be able to gain more valuable skills and put your creativity at work. Accounting skills are always in high demand, so whether you are a newbie or an expert accountant, there are a variety of side hustles to explore.

In this guide, we’ve outlined 30 side hustles for accountants to earn an extra income.

1. Freelance Accounting

If you’re an accountant working a 9-5 job but also seeking a side hustle, then freelancing is another way to earn more extra income. You will be coupled with helping small business owners with invoicing, bookkeeping, tax preparation and many other services as requested by the clients. By networking with people, telling them about what you do, and asking for recommendations from friends and families, you will be able to get started with freelance accounting. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Indeed, Freelancer and many more can also help you source for good clients.

2. Financial Planning

Everybody needs financial planning, but not everyone is able to do this themselves. As an accountant, this is a side hustle for you to try. This would involve helping individuals and businesses manage their financial situations, monitor their day-to-day financial transactions, provide necessary recommendations and many more. If you already have a client base that you render accounting services to, then you should consider introducing financial planning to them. On the other hand, you might also want to consider sourcing for new clients to earn more.

3. Bookkeeping

Many businesses, despite having a full-time accountant, still sometimes require a bookkeeper. As such, you can render the services and get paid for each gig completed. You will be coupled with keeping and monitoring the day-to-day financial transactions of the business. You might also be involved with payroll processing, invoicing, and so on. While there are no limitations to the number of activities you could be asked to complete, there would always be a specification given by your employer. In all, most bookkeeping services can be completed by an experienced accountant, so you shouldn’t have issues with this side hustle.

4. Consulting

Just like every other skill out there, you can always offer consulting with accounting knowledge. You would, however, need to have sufficient years of experience and skills to be able to render this service. With this, you would help businesses and individuals make important accounting and financial decisions by providing first-hand information to them. You could also help them solve specific problems relating to accounting or their business in general. To be able to get clients, you must be exceptionally skilled and experienced. With platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, you would be able to get started.

5. Sell Ebooks

To be able to sell eBooks, then you need some writing and book editing skills. There are several accounting topics which people would love to learn more about. Beyond that, you could focus on topics that help businesses and individuals manage their finances and achieve their financial goals.

Once you’re able to get started with creating some books, you can publish them and get them sold on platforms like Amazon. While writing and selling ebooks doesn’t involve going through a degree, you would want to ensure that you understand the theme of the topic you are writing about. You should also be able to create error-free, grammatically correct and unplagiarized written words to get started.

6. Investing

As an accountant, you are already familiar with the world of investment. While this might not be a side hustle, it is a great way to earn more money when done in the right way. You could invest in stock, real estate, etc; however, you would need to do thorough research before you start. Also, you would want to be sure that you have the money required and wouldn’t need it when investing. Apart from that, you should keep in mind that investing could take time before it yields a good result and as such trying other side hustles while doing this won’t be a bad idea.

7. Tax Preparation

If you're also familiar with tax preparation and tax returns and auditing, then this is another hustle to try. Many business owners are looking forward to employing people who could make every tax season less complicated for them. You will, however, need to be familiar with the basic software associated with tax filing and preparation. Beyond that, you would need to get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) for you to be able to begin this hustle. By using freelancing platforms and social media handles, you will be able to get clients for this.

8. Tutoring

Tutoring is another side hustle that can help you earn an extra income as an accountant. Having a good grasp of the necessary subject matter is key to tutoring others properly. While you could focus on helping high school or university students understand accounting topics, you can also help individuals prepare for professional exams.

As such, you could be a CPA exam tutor. You can also get students around who would need your services or use platforms like Preply, Tutor.com and many more to source for clients. Once you’re able to deliver great lessons and help students excel, then building a customer base will be much easier.

9. Online Arbitrage

Online arbitrage is another way to earn an extra income as an accountant. This works by getting products at a cheaper rate from an online or local source and selling them through another platform at a higher price. This way you would want to ensure that you are getting the goods from a supplier who sells to you at a fair price so you can have a decent profit margin and more so the product should be a highly demanded one. As an accountant, you should be able to do well with this, as you possess the skills required to manage this kind of business. With platforms like Amazon, eBay, or a personal website, you will be able to sell your product. Marketing is, however, key to earning with this kind of hustle. 

10. Online Courses

Selling courses online doesn’t only help you share your knowledge and earn extra income, but it helps you reach a wider customer across the world. You could create several courses that focus on different aspects of accounting. You could also teach people how to utilize accounting software or help them prepare for CPA exams. In all, you should make sure that the course is clear, concise and easily understandable. The courses should also preferably be in video form or a combination of video and written for easy assimilation. With platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare and many more, you would be able to monetize your courses.

11. Accounting Software Development

Rendering accounting software development services could involve possessing some programming skills. Beyond understanding how accounting software works, you would also need the technical know-how to be able to help businesses develop their own unique accounting software. This way you will also be expected to work with businesses and evaluate what their accounting needs are so as to develop tools that meet their needs. While this service could require a lot in terms of software creation, it could be an exciting and rewarding business enterprise to start.

12. Content Creation

Content creation is another side hustle to try as an accountant, and this basically involves creating meaningful content that would help businesses, entrepreneurs, aspiring accountants and many more gain more knowledge. You could share basic accounting and bookkeeping tips. You would need to be familiar with the world of social media and the monetization aspects of every social media you wish to implore. While you could create written content, you would find that video content is most favored by the audience. As such, you might need some video editing skills to begin content creation. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and many more are those you could start with for your content creation.

13. Accounting Blog

Blogging is another side hustle to begin as an accountant. You can focus on educating people on accounting, personal finance, business, and many more. While there is a lot of money to be made off blogging, understanding and learning how it works is key. You would need a domain name and hosting to get started. You would also be coupled with creating unplagiarized and highly resourceful content. Apart from that, you will be able to earn from each blog through affiliate marketing or sponsored posts, etc. While blogging could take some time to yield results, it's generally a great way to earn.

14. Data entry

While you might have to do a lot of mental activities as a seasoned accountant, one related side hustle that wouldn’t require you to go through a lot of stress is data entry. This would basically involve transferring or entering data from one source to another, e.g. a spreadsheet. The ability to pay attention to details, type fast and organize data would be needed here. Moreover, you would need to be familiar with software like Excel, Access and so on.

15. Accounting Software Solutions

Many businesses also require experts who are well-versed in the set-up, configuration and use of several accounting software. As an accountant, you can also explore this kind of service. You would not only be expected to help these businesses integrate accounting software like Quickbook, Sage etc into their system, but you might also be required to guide and train them on how to utilise them. With this service, you can focus on the small and medium business owners. Moreover, you need to be well-groomed with the use of these software packages to be able to help others.

16. Sell Printables on Etsy

Also, as an accountant, some accounting printables could be sold online. This includes budget templates, trackers, planners, etc. By utilizing Etsy, you would be able to get more ideas on the kind of printables to sell as an accountant. People are constantly looking for creative templates to utilize for their personal finance management. However, you would need some graphic design skills to be able to come up with unique printables. By using software like Canva, you would be able to get started. Once you are able to create the printables, you can sell them on platforms like Etsy.

17. Financial Podcasting

With podcasting, you can share your experience with the management of personal finance. You can also focus on other accounting topics and host many other experts in the field to talk about your podcast. Even if you have a 9-5 job, you would be able to do this in your free time. As your audience grows, you can begin monetizing your podcast by including sponsorship posts. Once you gain the required audience and you're able to deliver quality and valuable content on your podcast, people and businesses will begin to see you as an expert in the field.

18. Payroll Management

Many businesses around require the services of a payroll manager but aren’t willing to employ a full-time employee to take up the role. With it, you can offer payroll management services on a part-time basis. You will be expected to carry out activities like analyzing employee's work hours and their wages and salaries, filing payroll taxes and management, distributing payslips, removing deductions and managing other company benefits, ensuring business compliance with rules and regulations and so on.

As an accountant, you would want to ensure that businesses comply with payroll rules and maintain records that meet up with payroll standards. While this could be a great service to render, you would need to build a customer base and deliver a great service to earn more.

19. Sell Spreadsheets

Many businesses around require the use of spreadsheets. These are most times used for organizing and analyzing data. As an accountant, you could focus on creating spreadsheets with different templates and selling them out to businesses. While this could be an easy task to do, you would be able to earn more extra income. The templates for each spreadsheet created could be in the form of the ones that can be utilized for budgeting, tracking, inventory management, and so on. With the use of online marketplaces like Facebook, Etsy etc, you will be able to sell your product.

20. Virtual Assistant

You can also render a virtual assistant service online. As a virtual assistant, you would be required to carry out many administrative tasks which could be accounting-related and might not. While also searching for virtual assistant gigs, you could focus on looking for clients or businesses that need help with basic accounting services. You can offer this on a part-time or project-by-project basis. Together with social media handles and platforms like Virtual Employee, Randstad, Upwork etc, you would be able to get clients.

21. Online market research

As an accountant, you can also offer market research services to businesses. With your accounting skills, you would be able to help companies gather information and analyse market trends. This would also involve going through surveys, interviews, etc. in order to collect meaningful data that would be useful to the company. This would enable most businesses to understand their customer's behavior and preferences and more so help them make insightful adjustments and better market decisions.

22. Virtual CFO services

Chief Financial Officer services are most times rendered by highly experienced and reputable financial officers. If you are highly knowledgeable and well-known as a CFO, then you should be able to render part-time and virtual services to business owners. As a CFO, you will be expected to help companies manage their financial situations by guiding every financial decision made and making recommendations when necessary. CFO services aren’t usually rendered by a newbie or intermediate accountant, so you need to be highly experienced to do this. Many small businesses around who can't afford a full-time CFO also most times hire a virtual or part-time one to meet up with their business and financial needs.

23. Forensic Accounting

You can also offer forensic accounting services as a side hustle. This way you will be able to help businesses discover discrepancies or fraudulent activities in their accounting system. Great analytical skills are required to help clients analyse their financial activities and more so you would need to go through the right training and certifications to get started.

24. E-commerce Accounting

As the e-commerce sector also continues to grow, so does the need for an e-commerce accountant. To be able to function effectively as an e-commerce accountant, you would need to be conversant not only with accounting principles but also with the e-commerce and online business world. You would be required to help e-commerce business owners manage their bookkeeping tasks, track their inventory, reconcile bank statements, manage business accounts and stocks, and so on. All of these would usually be completed remotely, as the business also only has its presence online. Being skilled with many accounting software packages would be vital in rendering this service.

25. Credit Repair Business

Credit repair business involves helping businesses and individuals enhance their credit standing by helping them make corrections or review errors in their credit reports. This way you will be coupled with helping them improve their credit standing so they can be more eligible to receive loans. Starting a credit repair business involves going through some training and getting certifications. Moreover, you need to be familiar with the rules and regulations associated with doing this business before getting started.

26. Teach Excel

As an accountant, one of the most popular software you would be using is Excel. And since you're familiar with it, you can make more money by teaching others how to utilize it. Many companies, businesses and individuals need people who are good at Excel. As such, you can help the world by sharing your knowledge. Most accountants use Excel to analyse data, record financial transactions, make financial reconciliations, and many more. There are basically some formulas that need to be learned to be able to utilize Excel effectively. So you would need to work on gathering individuals and businesses who would be interested in learning this type of skill. Once you can deliver great teaching, building a customer base won’t be difficult.

27. Financial coaching and advising

Many businesses require an expert who can provide firsthand tips on how to manage financial activities and improve their business's financial health. As an expert accountant with several years of experience, you can focus on helping businesses improve their financial standing by providing coaching and valuable advice to them. You will be required to help individuals and companies develop better financial management habits so they can achieve their objectives. This service also could involve getting some training and certification and more so you have to be an expert in the field to help people better their lives.

28. Write Business plans

Many businesses both established and new start-ups are in need of experts who could help them create a well-mapped business plan. Business plans are used by start-up businesses to map out the strategies for business development and, more so, are required to seek funding from investors and creditors. Established companies also need business plans to help them stay on track and achieve their business goals. As an accountant with versed experience in the finance and business world, you can offer this service to small business owners. You would, however, need to specifically learn how to curate a well-crafted business plan.

29. Budget analyst

The need for budget analysts is now on the rise than ever before. While many individuals and businesses are now focusing on achieving a healthy financial state, the need for budget analysts continues to grow. As a budget analyst, your service would mainly focus on helping customers analyse their earnings or income and expenses so as to create a pattern for their spending and savings and come up with valuable recommendations.

Moreso, you would help them stay within budget by helping them understand how their spending or expenses influence their saving pattern. All of these would be targeted towards achieving great financial health or standing. Providing them with financial education and helping them make valuable decisions are also vital to achieving their goals.

30. Freelance writing

If you have a passion for writing as an accountant, then you might do well here. As an accountant, you could focus on writing on topics related to accounting, finance, business, and related fields. Freelance writing involves researching topics and coming up with meaningful, error-free, unplagiarized, grammatically correct content. There is a lot to explore with this kind of hustle. However, you would be coupled with sourcing for clients to earn more. By utilizing social media handles and platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, etc, you would be able to build a customer base.

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Conclusion

Whether you’re a newbie or an expert in accounting, there are always two or more side hustles you can try to earn extra income. Either way, you have to pay attention to your unique abilities, interest and passion when selecting the best side hustle that suits you.