Exploring Part-Time Accounting Opportunities in the USA

As an accountant juggling multiple responsibilities with limited income, I’ve tried various part-time gigs. Today, I’m excited to share some pathways for finding part-time accounting work. Let’s dive into the options!

1️⃣ Upwork

I registered for Upwork at the end of 2023 and began taking on projects in early 2024. Throughout that year, I earned over $2,000. However, to submit proposals on Upwork, you need to purchase “connects,” which can add to your costs. I ended up spending $100 on connects, which brought my net profit to approximately $1,900 after 76 hours of work, averaging about $25 per hour. Overall, this reflects a fairly low cost-to-benefit ratio.

The competition on Upwork is tough. Even simple reconciliation jobs at $20 per hour often attract 50 to 100 applications, making it increasingly challenging to land projects.

2️⃣ Seasonal Tax Preparer

During the 2023 tax season, I worked remotely as a seasonal tax preparer for a small firm, logging around 8-10 hours per week at a pay rate of $30/hour. In total, I earned about $3,500 from this role. However, the taxing nature of the job led me to seek other opportunities come 2024.

Many local firms typically hire seasonal tax preparers during tax season, so it’s worth exploring those options. Notably, HR Block also recruits seasonal workers; simply completing an online course and passing an exam can secure employment with them.

3️⃣ Intuit Remote Bookkeeper

I also applied for a part-time remote bookkeeping position with Intuit but decided against it. The commitment required was four continuous hours of work each day, which didn’t fit my schedule. The job’s requirements are minimal, as you only need to pass the QuickBooks exam to qualify. Those interested might find the pay around $20/hour.

Final Thoughts

In my experience, most part-time accounting roles tend to offer low pay and can be quite exhausting. I can’t help but think that exploring options like becoming a part-time real estate agent or insurance agent may yield higher earnings. If you know of any high-paying accounting side gigs, please share in the comments! Let’s help each other find the best opportunities in the accounting field.

Happy job hunting! 💼