If you’re over 60 and looking for a way to earn extra money from home, remote bookkeeping could be worth exploring. You don’t need to commute, stand for long hours, or work in a busy office.
In many cases, all you need is a computer, a reliable internet connection, basic math skills, and a willingness to learn.
The best part? You don’t always need previous bookkeeping experience to get started.
Some employers offer entry-level positions, while small businesses and independent professionals may hire beginners who can demonstrate their skills and attention to detail.
Bookkeeping can also be a good option for retirees who want to stay active, earn money, and maintain a flexible schedule without returning to a traditional full-time job.
In this guide, we’ll explore six remote bookkeeping jobs worth considering, the skills you need, where to find opportunities, and how to get started even if you’ve never worked as a bookkeeper.
1. Remote Entry-Level Bookkeeping Assistant
A remote bookkeeping assistant is one of the most practical places to start if you’re new to the field.
Small businesses, independent contractors, and accounting firms need help keeping their financial records organized.
They may not need a fully qualified accountant, but they still need someone who can enter information accurately and keep documents in order.
That’s where a bookkeeping assistant comes in.
Your responsibilities might include entering transactions, organizing receipts, updating spreadsheets, and checking that financial records are complete. You may also help prepare reports for a more experienced bookkeeper or accountant.
You don’t necessarily need years of experience for an entry-level role. Employers may consider candidates who have basic computer skills, good attention to detail, and a willingness to learn bookkeeping software.
Potential pay: Around $17 to $25 per hour as an illustrative starting range. Actual pay depends on the employer, location, responsibilities, and your skills.
What you need to get started
- Basic computer and spreadsheet skills.
- Comfort working with numbers and financial documents.
- Good organization and attention to detail.
- Willingness to learn bookkeeping software.
You can practice by creating a simple spreadsheet that tracks a small business’s income, expenses, and receipts. This gives you something concrete to discuss when applying for jobs.
Where to look: Search for remote bookkeeping assistant, junior bookkeeper, and entry-level accounting clerk positions on Indeed, LinkedIn, and other established job boards.
This is a sensible first step if you’d like to build experience before applying for better-paying bookkeeping positions.
2. Remote Accounts Payable Clerk
Do you enjoy keeping bills organized and making sure everything adds up? An accounts payable clerk position might suit you.
Accounts payable refers to the money a business owes to its suppliers, vendors, and service providers.
For example, imagine a small company receives invoices for internet service, office supplies, and equipment. Someone needs to record those bills, check the details, and prepare them for payment.
That person may be an accounts payable clerk.
Your daily duties could include entering invoices into a computer system, checking payment dates, matching bills with purchase orders, and maintaining accurate records.
Some companies also need help responding to vendor questions or identifying duplicate invoices.
The work can be suitable for seniors who enjoy routine tasks and prefer a structured job with clear responsibilities.
Potential pay: Approximately $18 to $27 per hour as an illustrative range, depending on the employer and job requirements.
How to qualify without experience
Start by learning how invoices work and how businesses organize payments. You should understand the difference between an invoice, a receipt, and a payment confirmation.
Basic Excel or Google Sheets skills can help. Familiarity with accounting software is another advantage.
You can also take an introductory bookkeeping course and practice entering sample invoices into a spreadsheet.
When applying, look for positions described as accounts payable assistant, invoice processing clerk, or entry-level accounts payable specialist.
One important thing to remember: some employers handle sensitive financial information. They may require a background check, secure equipment, or specific software experience.
If you prefer organized work with repeatable steps, this role is worth considering.
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3. Remote Accounts Receivable Clerk
Here’s another bookkeeping job to consider if you enjoy keeping track of money coming into a business.
Accounts receivable clerks help businesses track payments from customers. When a company sells products or services on credit, it needs someone to record what customers owe and monitor whether payments arrive on time.
For example, a home repair company might send invoices to customers after completing a job. An accounts receivable clerk records those invoices, updates payment information, and helps identify overdue balances.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Preparing and sending customer invoices.
- Recording payments in bookkeeping software.
- Checking unpaid invoices.
- Sending polite payment reminders.
- Keeping customer account records up to date.
You may also answer basic questions about invoices and forward complicated payment disputes to a manager.
Potential pay: Around $18 to $28 per hour as an illustrative range, depending on the role and your qualifications.
Why it may suit seniors
This position can be a good fit if you have experience with customer service, office administration, billing, or organizing paperwork. Even if you haven’t worked in bookkeeping, those skills can help you learn the job.
You’ll need patience, good communication skills, and the ability to work accurately with numbers.
To prepare, practice creating invoices and tracking payments in a spreadsheet. Learn how to identify outstanding balances and calculate the total amount a customer owes.
Search for remote accounts receivable clerk, billing assistant, and invoice specialist jobs.
One advantage of this role is that it can help you develop skills that transfer to other accounting positions. As you gain experience, you may be able to move into more advanced bookkeeping work.
4. Remote Payroll Assistant
Do you like working with numbers and following a clear schedule? A remote payroll assistant position might be another option.
Businesses need to pay employees accurately and on time. Payroll assistants help collect and organize the information needed to process those payments.
Depending on the employer, your duties might include checking timesheets, entering employee hours, updating payroll records, and reviewing basic payroll reports.
You may also help maintain records of paid time off, overtime, and employee deductions.
Potential pay: Approximately $19 to $29 per hour as an illustrative range. Specialized payroll positions may pay more, but they often require prior experience.
Can you do payroll without experience?
Possibly. Some employers offer entry-level payroll clerk or payroll assistant positions and provide training. Others expect applicants to understand payroll software, tax withholding, and employment rules.
You don’t need to master everything before applying, but you should learn the basics.
Start by understanding the difference between gross pay and net pay. Gross pay is an employee’s earnings before deductions. Net pay is the amount left after deductions.
You should also become familiar with timesheets, pay periods, overtime calculations, and payroll records.
Payroll software experience can improve your chances. Practice with training materials before applying, and avoid handling real employee payroll until you’re properly trained and authorized.
This job may suit you if you are dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with confidential information.
Keep in mind that payroll deadlines can be strict. If you want a job with no deadlines at all, this may not be your first choice.
5. Remote QuickBooks Bookkeeper
If your goal is to earn more as your skills improve, learning QuickBooks could be a smart move.
QuickBooks is accounting software used by many small businesses to track income, expenses, invoices, and other financial information.
A remote QuickBooks bookkeeper helps business owners maintain organized records using the software. Depending on the job, you may categorize transactions, reconcile bank accounts, prepare reports, and identify missing information.
Some positions also involve helping clients understand their financial records.
Potential pay: Around $22 to $35 per hour as an illustrative range for remote bookkeeping work. Beginners may earn less, while experienced bookkeepers who manage several accounts may earn more.
These are planning estimates, not guaranteed salaries or verified listings for current openings.
How to start with QuickBooks
You don’t need to buy expensive software immediately.
Begin with the official QuickBooks ProAdvisor Academy. It offers training and certification options designed to help accounting professionals build their skills.
Work through the introductory lessons and practice common tasks, such as:
- Recording business income and expenses.
- Categorizing transactions.
- Creating invoices.
- Matching bank transactions with accounting records.
- Generating basic financial reports.
QuickBooks training and certification can help demonstrate your knowledge, but they don’t guarantee employment or replace hands-on experience.
You can build a small practice portfolio using sample transactions. For example, create a mock business with monthly sales, rent, utility bills, and supply purchases. Show how you would organize its records and prepare a simple income and expense report.
When you’re ready, search for remote QuickBooks bookkeeper, junior QuickBooks specialist, and bookkeeping assistant positions.
This path takes effort, but learning a widely used tool can make you more competitive than applying for bookkeeping jobs with no software skills.
6. Freelance Remote Bookkeeper for Small Businesses
Would you rather work for yourself than follow an employer’s fixed schedule? Freelance bookkeeping may be worth exploring.
Instead of working for one company, you provide bookkeeping services to small businesses and charge by the hour, by the project, or through a monthly service arrangement.
Your clients might include independent contractors, online store owners, consultants, or local service businesses.
You could help a client organize monthly transactions, record expenses, reconcile bank accounts, and prepare reports for their accountant.
Potential pay: Roughly $25 to $45 per hour is a possible target for freelancers with useful software skills and a clear service offering. New freelancers may need to charge less while building trust and experience.
Unlike a regular employee’s paycheck, freelance income is not guaranteed. You’ll need to find clients, agree on payment terms, manage your workload, and account for business expenses and taxes.
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How to get your first client
Start small rather than trying to offer every bookkeeping service at once.
Choose a few tasks you can perform accurately. For example, you might focus on organizing receipts, recording transactions, and maintaining monthly expense spreadsheets.
Then follow these steps:
- Build a sample portfolio. Use fictional business information to demonstrate your bookkeeping skills without exposing anyone’s private financial details.
- Choose a type of client. You might focus on independent contractors, home-based businesses, or small online shops.
- Create a simple service description. Explain what you do, what the client receives, and how often you’ll complete the work.
- Reach out to potential clients. Use professional networking sites, freelance platforms, or referrals from people you know.
- Start with a manageable workload. Take on one client before committing to several monthly accounts.
Be honest about your experience. You don’t need to pretend to be an expert. Explain the services you’re trained to provide and the tasks you are still learning.
Also, remember that bookkeeping involves sensitive financial data. Use secure systems, written agreements, and clear procedures for handling client records.
Freelancing can offer flexibility, but it may take time to build a steady income. It is best approached as a small business rather than a guaranteed source of quick cash.
How Much Can Seniors Make From Remote Bookkeeping?
Your earnings depend on the type of job you choose, your skills, and how much experience you have.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was $50,670 in May 2025, equivalent to about $24.36 per hour for a standard full-time schedule. The figure covers the occupation as a whole, not just remote jobs or beginners.
Here’s what different hourly rates could mean if you work part-time.
| Hourly rate | Hours per week | Approx. monthly gross pay |
| $18 | 10 | $780 |
| $22 | 15 | $1,430 |
| $25 | 20 | $2,167 |
| $30 | 20 | $2,600 |
Estimates use 52 weeks per year divided by 12 months. These amounts are before taxes, business expenses, and any unpaid time off. They are examples, not promises of earnings.
If you’re retired, even a part-time position could help cover groceries, utilities, prescription costs, or other household expenses.
The key is to choose a workload that fits your needs instead of taking on more work than you can comfortably manage.
How to Get a Remote Bookkeeping Job With No Experience
You don’t have to learn everything in one week. Start with the basics and build your confidence gradually.
Step 1: Learn basic bookkeeping.
Understand income, expenses, invoices, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. You should also learn how businesses record financial transactions.
Step 2: Practice using spreadsheets.
Learn how to enter numbers, organize records, use basic formulas, and check totals in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Step 3: Learn one accounting program.
Start with QuickBooks or another bookkeeping tool used by your target employers. Official training resources can help you understand the software before applying for jobs.
Step 4: Create a beginner resume.
Highlight transferable skills. If you’ve managed household budgets, organized office paperwork, handled customer accounts, or maintained records in a previous job, mention those experiences honestly.
Don’t claim professional bookkeeping experience if you haven’t done the work.
Step 5: Apply for entry-level roles.
Search for remote bookkeeping assistant, accounts payable clerk, billing assistant, and junior bookkeeper positions. Read each listing carefully because some jobs advertised as remote still require experience.
Step 6: Prepare for interviews.
Practice explaining how you organize information, spot mistakes, meet deadlines, and protect confidential records. Employers want someone they can trust with financial information.
Where to Find Remote Bookkeeping Jobs
Here are some places to begin your search.
- Indeed — Search for remote entry-level bookkeeping and accounting clerk positions.
- LinkedIn Jobs — Look for remote bookkeeping assistant and junior bookkeeper openings.
- FlexJobs — Explore remote and flexible job listings. Check current membership costs before signing up.
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor Academy — Build your bookkeeping software skills and explore training options.
- Intuit Careers — Check for remote bookkeeping and related opportunities. Requirements vary by position.
For your first search, try the phrase