Coco Hou: Bookkeeping is fast becoming one of the leading side gigs in Australia
- Written by Tess Sanders Lazarus
The increasing popularity of outsourcing sites like Freelancer.com and Airtasker.com has created a booming side gig industry in accounting and bookkeeprng for many people in Australia. According to Coco Hou, Managing Director of Platinum Professional Training, one of Australia's largest accounting and bookkeeping training companies, the arrival of these sites combined with cloud based accounting software has created the perfect opportunity for people looking to undertake extra work in the accounting and bookkeeping sector. As an industry, the bookkeeping sector is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Every small to medium size business needs a bookkeeper to assist them with accounts and the number of small businesses setting up across the country and using cloud based accounting systems is on the rise.
“Demand for bookkeepers is at an all time high,” Ms Hou said today.
"Once upon a time, businesses employed people in full time roles to undertake accounting and bookkeeping activities, but the market is changing. Many businesses are choosing to outsource these services to consultants, contractors and specialists without incurring the expense of full time salaries. This means there are growing opportunities for people to contract their services on a consultancy or part time basis.
"This why we are seeing such strong demand for our online bookkeeping and accounting courses.
"People are keen to undertake training, get their qualifications and get out into the market and get working.
“The great thing about doing an online bookkeeping or accounting course is that you can do it from home and the completion time is flexible. Our courses are self paced and include support and other forms of assistance to help people through the courses as well.
“Given many businesses are now using cloud based accounting systems such as Xero, bookkeepers are able to deliver services online from anywhere in the country – because cloud based systems provide this flexibility. They are also incredibly sophisticated and can be linked to bank accounts and other software which means they capture the whole organisation's activities in one place. This is ideal for bookkeepers working remotely.
"Bookkeeping really is the ideal side gig for anyone wanting to earn extra income, grow a full time consultancy business or work from home in a flexible manner.
“Retirees, stay at home parents, anyone with reasonable office or administration experience can get involved in providing services.
"Our training company launched online Certificate IV courses in accounting and bookkeeping early this year and the response has been extraordinary. The courses are offered online and participants have up to 18 months to complete the courses. Once complete, people can use the qualifications to become freelance bookkeepers, set up their own bookkeeping business or even seek consultancy, part time or full time roles as corporate accountants.
"I would strongly recommend to job seekers or anyone thinking about exploring work opportunities to look into the accounting sector. Every business needs assistance in this area and with the number of new businesses starting up every day, there is strong need for accounting and bookkeeping services in the market space."
Platinum Professional Training is a national training company with offices in all major cities that offers a broad range of training courses in accounting, finance and bookkeeping including online courses. Courses are ideal for people wanting to accelerate their advancement, enter the sector or expand their practical experience for new opportunities.
