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The Beginner Bookkeeper Setup Checklist

Everything you need to set up as a new bookkeeper — in the right order. This is the checklist I built from my own research and the training resources in my document analysis.

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The Complete Beginner Bookkeeper Setup Checklist

This checklist is built from the 12-week plan extracted from a professional bookkeeping training document and my own research. Use it as your starting point — in this order.

✅ Phase 1: Foundation Setup (Before Anything Else)

☐Create a free AccountingCoach account — start with "Accounting Basics" module
☐Enroll in Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Certification (free at academy.intuit.com)
☐Bookmark Investopedia for accounting term definitions
☐Subscribe to: The Profitable Bookkeeper YouTube, Fit Small Business YouTube
☐Create a QuickBooks Online test company (free trial available)
☐Download this 12-week study planner (link in email)

✅ Phase 2: Core Concepts (Weeks 1–2)

☐Understand: bookkeeping vs accounting
☐Understand: double-entry accounting
☐Understand: assets, liabilities, equity
☐Understand: income vs expenses
☐Understand: cash vs accrual basis
☐Can explain: Profit & Loss statement in plain English
☐Can explain: Balance Sheet in plain English
☐Can explain: why profit does NOT equal cash

✅ Phase 3: QuickBooks Operational Basics (Weeks 3–4)

☐Navigate QBO without panic — know every menu
☐Set up a new company file with correct settings
☐Build a Chart of Accounts from scratch
☐Add customers and vendors
☐Enter income, expenses, and bills
☐Connect and use bank feeds
☐Create at least 5 automation rules

✅ Phase 4: Monthly Close Workflow (Weeks 5–6)

☐Simulate a complete "month close" for a test company
☐Categorize all transactions correctly
☐Reconcile 1 bank account + 1 credit card
☐Identify and fix errors in bank reconciliation
☐Run Profit & Loss report
☐Run Balance Sheet report
☐Explain each report out loud like talking to a client

✅ Phase 5: Client Readiness (Weeks 9–11)

☐Create a Client Onboarding Checklist (step-by-step)
☐Practice mock onboarding with a "fake" client
☐Define your service scope and flat monthly pricing
☐Write your "I offer bookkeeping" outreach message
☐Reach out to 5 potential clients (local, referral, or online)
☐Complete first discovery call

✅ Phase 6: Business Setup (Stage 2–3)

☐Open a business bank account (Relay recommended)
☐Form your LLC (see LLC guide) — LegalZoom or ZenBusiness
☐Set up business accounting software for your own firm
☐Set up professional email and basic website
☐Apply to affiliate programs for tools you're actively using

🛠️ Tools to Apply for as a Beginner

Start with these three — they're the best fit for Stage 1 content.

📗 Bookkeepers.com — 15% commission · 60-day cookie
📊 FreshBooks — Up to $200/subscriber · Via Awin
⚖️ LegalZoom — $125+ CPA · 30-day window
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