Why Remote Bookkeeping Might Not Be the Best Remote Career—And What to Do Instead

Jan 22 / Bradley Urias

Key Points:

  • Remote bookkeeping isn’t as remote as advertised – Many businesses prefer local bookkeepers, and QuickBooks ProAdvisor listings aren't available to everyone (especially digital nomads).
  • Landing clients requires sales skills – Most bookkeeping courses downplay the fact that getting work involves cold pitching, networking, and selling your services.
  • Hidden costs can exceed $5,000+ – Many students discover too late that they need additional coaching, software, and tools to make bookkeeping viable.
  • AI is replacing bookkeeping jobs – Automated bookkeeping software is reducing demand, while AI-assisted coding is creating more opportunities for developers.
  • Remote coding offers a better remote career – Higher pay, true location independence, and no need to constantly find clients make coding the smarter choice.
  • Coding isn’t as hard as you think – If you can handle bookkeeping math, you can learn coding too. Modern tools and AI make it easier than ever.
  • You can start coding for a fraction of the cost – While bookkeeping courses often cost $5,000+, you can start learning coding for as little as $197.
  • The Remote Job That Wasn’t So Remote After All

    If you’re here, chances are you’ve been looking for a remote job that gives you freedom, stability, and a great income. Like us, you probably stumbled upon the Booming Bookkeeping Business (now "Keyboard Rich"), and it sounded perfect—an easy-to-learn, high-paying, work-from-anywhere career.

    We thought so, too.

    We spent months going through the program, passing the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification, and preparing to launch our bookkeeping business. But then reality hit.

    • Landing remote clients was way harder than expected—it wasn’t just bookkeeping; it was sales.
    • ProAdvisor listings weren’t available for everyone (especially if you travel or live outside the U.S.).
    • The costs kept piling up—the full program and tools ended up being $5,000+ when all was said and done.


    We weren’t alone. Dozens of comments on our Booming Bookkeeping Business review shared similar frustrations.

    If you’re starting to feel like remote bookkeeping isn’t turning out to be the dream job you expected, you’re not alone. And the good news? There’s a better way to earn a real remote income—without the sales stress.

    1. The Harsh Truth About Remote Bookkeeping

    Many people turn to bookkeeping because they believe it’s:

    Affordable to start
    Fully remote
    Stable and in demand


    But in reality, here’s what we (and many others) discovered:

    🚫 It’s Not As Remote As Advertised

    We—and others in the program—were blocked from using the QuickBooks ProAdvisor directory because we weren’t in the U.S. for 90+ days.

    Even if you are in the U.S., many businesses prefer to hire local bookkeepers due to tax laws, in-person meetings, or simple trust.

    💬 "I wanted a remote job, not one where I had to convince local businesses to work with me." — [A frustrated student from the comments]


    🚫 Finding Clients = Sales Job

    Most people who take bookkeeping courses don’t realize they’ll need to do cold pitching, networking, and sales calls to land clients.

    💬 "I thought the work would come to me after certification, but I was wrong. I had to chase leads, follow up, and basically be a salesperson."


    If you wanted a true remote job—not a sales job—this can be a dealbreaker.

    🚫 The Costs Add Up Quickly

    The bookkeeping course wasn’t just a one-time fee—it came with:

    • Fees for software, business registration, and marketing tools
    • Optional (but recommended) coaching programs that cost thousands more
    • Unexpected costs that pushed the total well over $5,000


    💬 "They tell you it’s affordable, but once you’re in, you realize you need to pay for so much more to actually get started."


    If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing—there’s another remote career that actually delivers on the promise of high pay, low costs, and true location freedom.

    2. Why Remote Coding Is a Better Remote Career

    If you’re looking for a remote career that:

    Pays well (even at entry-level)
    Doesn’t require constant sales or client-hunting
    Allows true work-from-anywhere flexibility
    Isn't being replaced by AI


    Then you might want to seriously consider remote coding instead.


    💡 Remote Coding vs. Remote Bookkeeping: A Side-by-Side Comparison

    Remote coding checks all the boxes—high-paying, fully remote, and doesn’t require you to sell your services.

    3. "But Isn’t Coding Too Hard?" (Not Really.)

    A lot of people hesitate about coding because they think:

    🚫 "I’m not good at math."
    🚫 "Coding is too complicated."
    🚫 "It takes years to get a job."

    But here’s the truth:

    👉 The math in coding is about the same as bookkeeping. If you can handle bookkeeping numbers, you can handle coding logic.

    👉 Coding today is easier than ever. AI-assisted coding tools make learning smoother, and modern courses teach by building real projects instead of memorizing formulas.

    👉 You don’t need years to land remote work. Many beginner coders start freelancing or working remotely within 3-6 months.

    💬 "I thought coding was too hard until I tried it. Turns out, it's just problem-solving in a different way."

    4. The Smartest Remote Career Move You Can Make

    If bookkeeping isn’t turning out to be what you expected, you don’t have to stick with it. There’s no shame in realizing something isn’t the right fit—especially when there’s a better alternative right in front of you.


    👉 Remote coding gives you the true flexibility, income, and stability you were looking for in a remote job.
    👉 It costs far less to learn than bookkeeping—and pays more in the long run.
    👉 It’s a skill you can use to work for others OR build your own business (apps, software, digital tools).

    If you’re even a little curious, check out how Remote Coding Bootcamp can help you get started—it might just be the best career decision you ever make.

    ➡️ Learn More About Remote Coding Here

    FAQs

    Is bookkeeping really a remote job?

    Not always. Many businesses prefer local bookkeepers, and major platforms like QuickBooks ProAdvisor require U.S. residency for listings.

    Can AI replace bookkeeping jobs?

    Yes. AI-powered bookkeeping software is already automating much of the industry, making it harder for new bookkeepers to find work.

    Is remote coding hard to learn?

    No! Modern coding tools and AI-assisted platforms make learning easier than ever. Many people start freelancing within 3-6 months.

    How much does it cost to learn coding?

    Unlike bookkeeping (which can cost over $5,000), you can start learning coding for as little as $197.

    Can I really get a remote job as a beginner coder?

    Yes! Many companies hire junior developers for remote work, and freelancers can find coding gigs even faster than bookkeeping clients.

    Final Thoughts

    If you were drawn to bookkeeping for the promise of a flexible, high-paying, remote career, it’s understandable why you might feel frustrated.


    But here’s the thing—you have other options.

    Remote coding offers everything you were hoping bookkeeping would—and more.

    And unlike bookkeeping, it’s not a sales job in disguise.

    If you’re ready to explore a remote career that actually lets you work from anywhere and earn more, check this out.

    It might just change your life.

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