Visiting bookkeeper for local trades and shops
Visit local tradespeople and shop owners to sort receipts, invoices and records in person each month.
- £300-2k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
24,556 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 69202 “Bookkeeping activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A hands-on bookkeeping service where you visit clients, collect paperwork, and enter and reconcile it in cloud software, often helping them move from paper or spreadsheets.
Your first three steps
- Choose a local area and list the types of business near you who still use paper records
- Get a bookkeeping qualification or build experience, and learn one or two cloud packages well
- Offer a low-cost first catch-up session to a few local businesses and ask for referrals
Who pays
Owners of small local businesses such as builders, hairdressers, farms and shops who prefer face-to-face help.
How it makes money
A monthly fee or hourly rate that includes a visit, plus extra for catch-up work, payroll or VAT returns.
Skills that help
- Accurate and organised
- Friendly and patient with people who dislike paperwork
- Comfortable with accounting software
- Reliable timekeeping
Watch out for
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Anti-money laundering supervision: check whether you need to register for the services you offer
- Handling clients' paperwork and bank details safely, in line with data protection rules
- Travel time can eat into your hours, so group visits by area
- Be clear on what you do not cover, such as tax advice or accounts filing, unless qualified
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: visiting bookkeeper for local trades and shops
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a visiting bookkeeping service?
Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your software, insurance and equipment. These are estimates, so check real quotes and your own travel needs before you commit.
How much can a visiting bookkeeper earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on your client numbers and fees. Travel time can eat into your hours, so group visits by area to make the most of them.
What should I check before offering bookkeeping visits?
Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether you need anti-money laundering supervision for your services. Check how you handle clients' paperwork and bank details under data protection rules, and be clear on what you do not cover, such as tax advice, unless qualified.
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