JoshIn the times that we live in today, freelancing has become a significant career path – it is no longer a choice that people pursue just to keep them busy after ‘normal’ working hours. The spread of the internet also ensures that freelancing is also available to students and professionals who are just starting in the job market, as well as seasoned professionals in the field.
Every job description is affected by this in some way; including surprising fields such as accounting. Before you dismiss this as a temporary fad that will go away with time, it is important to understand why online accounting jobs are increasingly becoming popular as the days go by. We will discuss some of these reasons in this article, although you should keep in mind that these reasons can also apply to other freelancing fields as well.
Job security is dying
You can assume what you want about the current job market, but the truth is that changes that have occurred over the decades have led to job security becoming a thing of the past. Even accounting, which was once seen as a stable job that could result in defined benefits, has also experienced these changes; and young professionals entering the workplace no longer have a long-term plan for working in one organization for their entire work life.
In fact, businesses are also seeking to cut costs by letting go of salaried employees, and instead making room for freelance ones, even in the financial realm.
Freelancing offers more chances to obtain more skills
In the past, it was common to think of a freelancer as someone who did not acquire as much skill as a full-time salaried employee – but time has shown that this is not the case, at least not anymore.
Freelancing, even in accounting, gives the freelancer a greater chance at freedom and flexibility, making the entire field more attractive. The more knowledge and skillsets you have, the more clients you attract, because they see you as an authority in the accounting field.
Offers personal freedom
Among the best aspects of becoming a freelance accountant, or freelance professional, is the personal freedom. These include not having a boss to answer to, working whenever you want, and working with the clients you want. You are the boss of your own work, so you can easily let go of clients who are difficult to get along with.
There are flexible hours
Working a 9-to-5 job is great, but there are certain aspects that are annoying about it – and key among them is the lack of flexibility. Even in the accounting world, many professionals are choosing to be freelancers because it offers them greater flexibility to handle both work commitments and personal obligations. The additional benefit of choosing the jobs you prefer makes the whole process enjoyable, and you can even take on extra tasks if you want to.
It is easy to find work – eventually
Freelancing is not new, because it has always been in existence since people starting working, and they were finding new jobs through their contacts and networking opportunities. The difference today is that finding work is much easier today, thanks to the technological advancements over the last few decades.
With that said, freelancing can be intimidating when you are very new in the field and do not have a solid client base yet. However, when you use freelancing platforms such as Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork, you get the chance to connect to new clients through these platforms. Thanks to these websites, you have a chance to compete in the global workplace and establish yourself in it.
The costs of operation are lower
It can be very expensive operating a business from an office building – especially in the uncertain economic times that are a reality for many people. The opposite is true for a freelancer, because you do not need to consider additional costs for starting your enterprise. All you need is sign up on a freelancing website, network with clients, and find new work for greater convenience.
In conclusion, working as a freelance accountant may seem very intimidating at first, and the security of a traditional job seems more appealing. However, there are plenty of advantages you get when you become a freelancer, and it is not too late to consider starting.