All the things you want your bookkeeper to tell you, before starting your business

Jennifer Remnet owns Navigation Bookkeeping Solutions. The business was founded in 2021, though she’s been in this line of work for over 20 years. Her niche is helping the owners of small service-based businesses nationwide with their QuickBooks Online software as a bookkeeper and advisor.

What are the first steps you took when you started your bookkeeping agency?

I started my business doing several things. I found a name, Navigation Bookkeeping Solutions, that works for what I do: —navigating business owners through their financial software. I got my LLC documents from the state and EIN from the IRS, then found a local bank I wanted to work with.

There were a few expenses I had to make to get up and running. I upgraded my internet package and acquired insurance and a new computer. During this time, I took an exam to become a QuickBooks Online Proadvisor and started putting out the word on social media about my new endeavor.

“I got my LLC documents from the state and EIN from the IRS, then found a local bank I wanted to work with.”

After a few colleagues contacted me to look at their books, they started referring friends and the business took off. Word of mouth is WONDERFUL! When you make one person happy, they love to tell their friends.

What helped you when you started your business?

Finding a Facebook group with others in my field was a godsend. Being able to ask questions, read about others’ successes and failures, or pick others’ brains about industry-specific issues, was a huge help when starting out.

“I highly suggest finding a group – on Facebook or anywhere else that you can join.”

The group was able to suggest different software, technology, online courses and so much more that have been beneficial to getting my business up and running. I highly suggest finding a group – on Facebook or anywhere else that you can join.

Another amazing thing I heard about was the Profit First Method, where you set aside a certain percentage to pay yourself FIRST, then cover everything else.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your own agency?

I actually wish I had known about up-to-date digital payment solutions like Melio before I started my business. I could have saved some serious money on the first few months of invoicing I had sent out.

The fees I had to pay took a good chunk out of my bottom line that could have gone to other start-up expenses. That being said, since then I HAVE avoided many bank and merchant fees by setting up recurring ACH payments with my clients each month.

What was your dream starting your business?

Years ago, I branched from working for others to working for myself. I started a bookkeeping and administrative services business after having children and wanting to create my own work schedule. This shifted to helping my spouse with his businesses over the years.

More recently, I sought to restart my bookkeeping business, now that there were more opportunities to work remotely with online software. Being able to work from just about ANYWHERE was a huge advantage and exactly what I was looking for. I love helping people solve problems, and this was a perfect chance to combine those desires with a profession I enjoy: bookkeeping!

“Being able to work from just about ANYWHERE was a huge advantage and exactly what I was looking for.”

What advice would you give a bookkeeper that wants to open an agency like yours?

Start SOON! I wish I had done this years ago.

Jennifer Remnet owns Navigation Bookkeeping Solutions.