You may have the skill, knowledge, and technical know-how to manage the records of financial transactions, and will love to establish a business out of it, then this article is here to help you by feeding you with a piece of detailed information on how to start a bookkeeping business in South Africa.
Therefore, we entreat you to keep reading because, in the next chapter of this guide, you’re going to learn step-by-step procedures to take when you want to start your own bookkeeping business in South Africa.
Bookkeeping is a business that involves keeping the financial transaction records of a business or organization. But before you can start running your own business, you’ve to ensure that the necessary skillset and knowledge of being a bookkeeper are at hand.
This is because clients expect efficient and effective services from you. That’s why they are trusting you with their company or organization’s financial records, and any misplaced record can affect their business.
First and foremost, do you have the qualification to be a bookkeeper?
If you’re a certified bookkeeper, then you’re good to commence with your bookkeeping business.
But if you lack the qualifications but see bookkeeping as your field of expertise, then apply for a bookkeeping course.
You can choose to do a full-time study or distance learning, and the latter is the best to go for to have enough time planning for your business set up while you acquire the certification.
Table of Contents
What You Need To Start A Bookkeeping Business In South Africa
Below are some of the basic requirements to meet before starting your bookkeeping business:
1. Business Plan: build a good business plan that covers your business description, marketing, operations, management, and financial strategies.
Ensure that your business plan coincides with your startup capital to prevent you from getting stuck in the middle of business operation
2. Bookkeeping Certification: even though a bookkeeping certificate might not be a requirement to start a bookkeeping business in South Africa, but acquiring a certificate will help build your brand as your clients will have the trust in you that you’ve acquired the highest level of education in your field of expertise
3. Business Location: choose an affordable location that suits your business operation and is easily accessible by clients without any form of difficulties
4. Acquiring Legal Documentation: Choose a memorable and catchy name for your business and register with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
Register for tax with SARS
Draw a service contract for clients to prevent any form of a breach and have the chance to take legal actions when the need arises
Ensure business to regain access to your business in times of any disaster
5. Target market: know the potential clients who might need your service before starting your business. This is because it will win a first client early and your good and quality services will attract more through recommendation
6. Branding: develop a good business brand that helps you stand tall among other already established players in the business. You can use social media in building your brand
7. Business Website: there’s the need to build a business website, project all your services, and your contact information on the website.
We live in a digital world, and most clients see you are up to the task when your business comes with a well-presented website full of information.
8. Strategise pricing: set pricing for your service, choose the perfect prising that can help you gain a reasonable share out of the market but doesn’t seem too high to your clients
9. Advertisement: make a good choice of advertising platform or tool to use in marketing your business.
In every business, advertisement plays a vital role in attracting new customers. Therefore not all forms of advertisement are effective, and you must study your target market to know the type of advertisement that can catch the attention of your business.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Bookkeeping Business In South Africa
The bookkeeping business can be operated in a leasing office or at home if the workspace supports your business operation and welcomes your customers.
If you wish to operate from a leasing office, the cost involved in starting your business will be costly, ranging from R20,000 – 30,000 depending on the type of accounting and bookkeeping software you choose to run your business with.
When you’re operating from home, the cost of renting an office will be cut out of your expenses, and startup costs might drop, ranging from R10,000 – 15,000.
Is The Bookkeeping Business Profitable In South Africa
The bookkeeping business is profitable if you know how to set up your business, the technicalities involved, and be knowledgeable about the business.
If all these are well structured when setting up your business, then you’re going to earn more than expected.
Best Places/Areas To Start A Bookkeeping Business In South Africa
The best location for your bookkeeping business must be easily located and accessible by clients should be spacious enough to welcome clients.
Below are some of the best places or areas to start your bookkeeping business in South Africa:
1. Near business centers
2. In cities full of companies and businesses
3. Online (business website)
4. From home (a serene and welcoming home)
How To Make A Bookkeeping Business Successful In South Africa
If you want to run a successful bookkeeping business in South Africa, the following factors have to be taken into consideration:
1. Choose the best accounting and bookkeeping for your business
2. Good customer relationship is required
3. Don’t stop learning. Try to top up your skill to meet the satisfaction requirement of your clients
4. It takes hard work and determination to be successful in the bookkeeping business
5. Creating a network with your peers in different fields is very important to help reach out to many audiences
6. Be prepared to face market competition from successful players in the business
7. Always draw strategies to rise back in times of setbacks
Challenges In Running A Bookkeeping Business In South Africa
In every business, there are challenges, and the key to solving your challenges is how to identify your challenge and the cause of that challenge.
Below are some of the challenges facing the bookkeeping business in South Africa:
1. Delayed receivables from clients affects the business
2. Delay in paying for your service
3. the inability to seek for bank loans to fund your business
4. Monthly financial statements not processed on time
Benefits Of Setting Up A Bookkeeping Business In South Africa
The following are some of the benefits of setting up a bookkeeping business in South Africa:
1. The business comes with an overwhelming profit if well managed
2. It creates a space for companies to keep their financial records on the track
3. It serves as a reference bank for companies on their financial records
4. It generates income to the government through taxation
5. It has cut down unemployment by creating job opportunities for many
That is the information we can provide on how to start your bookkeeping business in South Africa.