How to Make 6 Figures As An Accountant? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 6th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a accountant? Good for you! Being a accountant is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a accountant - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly enhance your income as an accountant by leveraging your expertise to guide others through their professional journeys. As a career coach, you could provide personalized guidance, support, and strategic advice to clients, helping them with resume building, interview preparation, and career advancement goals.

By offering sessions tailored to each client’s aspirations, you could build a profitable client base and create substantial additional income through both in-person and virtual meetings. This flexibility allows you to set your own schedule and use your motivational abilities to empower others, turning your natural knack for human resources and speaking talents into a fruitful side business or even a full-time venture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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2. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

Supplementing your income as an accountant by becoming a social media influencer could be a lucrative venture, potentially pushing you towards a six-figure salary. By leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could build a brand around your expertise in accounting, offering valuable insights, tips, and resources to a broad audience. Brands are keen to collaborate with influencers who have credibility and an engaged following, and as a knowledgeable accountant, you could position yourself as an authoritative voice in financial management and accounting practices.

To become a successful social media influencer, choose a niche that aligns with your interests and professional skills. Creating engaging, relevant content that resonates with your audience is crucial. Whether you focus on financial planning, tax tips, or accounting software reviews, your unique perspective could attract a substantial following. This opens the door to brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and other monetization opportunities that supplement your primary income.

From micro-influencer partnerships to large-scale sponsorships, the possibilities for additional income are significant. This entrepreneurial path could not only enhance your financial stability but also provide a platform to share your passion for accounting on a larger scale.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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3. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and help you make six figures as an accountant. With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could create content for various niches and topics, utilizing your expertise in finance to write specialized articles, blog posts, or even eBooks.

This venture offers the flexibility to define your work schedule and work from home at any time. Given your self-starter attitude and proper communication skills, freelance writing can provide a steady stream of additional income, helping you to diversify your revenue streams and ultimately boost your earnings to six figures.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could be a highly lucrative way for accountants to supplement their incomes or even transition into a full-time entrepreneurial venture. As an accountant, sharing your expertise online through a blog allows you to reach a broader audience, pitch your services, and establish yourself as an industry thought leader. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and that blogs are rated as one of the most trustworthy sources of information, your insights could attract a significant and loyal readership.

Originally viewed as an online journal, modern blogging has evolved into a powerful business tool capable of generating substantial earnings. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, even a narrow niche within accounting could capture a considerable audience. Additionally, by consistently providing valuable content and creating a mailing list, you could build an engaged community, open up monetization avenues like sponsored posts, online courses, or e-books, and ultimately work towards achieving a six-figure income.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an ecommerce store could be a viable pathway for accountants looking to make six figures. With your financial skills and attention to detail, you could manage an online business efficiently, benefiting from lower overhead costs and increased flexibility. The booming ecommerce market offers an excellent opportunity to reach a wider audience and generate supplemental income.

Setting up a website, integrating shopping cart and inventory tracking software, and accepting online payments are crucial steps in this venture. This side business could not only supplement your income but potentially grow into a significant revenue stream, diversifying your financial portfolio while leveraging your existing skills. Entrepreneurs like yourself could find ecommerce to be a rewarding avenue for financial growth alongside your accounting career.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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6. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketer business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as an accountant. By promoting other companies' products or services, you could earn a commission for every sale made through your referral. This venture requires minimal upfront investment, as you don't need to create or own the products yourself, making it a low-cost business idea.

With your analytical skills and attention to detail, identifying profitable niches and effective marketing strategies could be within your grasp. Sign up for affiliate programs in areas that interest you or overlap with your expertise, and use your unique tracking links to drive sales. Through dedication and strategic marketing efforts, becoming a successful affiliate marketer could significantly boost your income, edging you closer to the six-figure mark.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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7. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could significantly supplement your income as an accountant by establishing you as an authority in your niche and expanding your professional network. By leveraging your expertise, you could create valuable content on financial literacy, tax strategies, or accounting tips that resonates with a broad audience.

With minimal investment in basic recording equipment and affordable hosting platforms, you could start a podcast business centered around your accounting knowledge. As your audience grows through promotion on social media and online communities, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, creating a steady stream of income.

Moreover, a successful podcast could lead to additional opportunities, such as paid speaking engagements, consultations, or new clients for your accounting services, propelling you towards a six-figure income.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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8. Digital products ($261K/month)

As an accountant, you could significantly boost your income by creating and selling digital products. The beauty of this approach lies in its flexibility and scalability. You could design software tools for financial management, develop online courses teaching essential accounting skills, or create detailed eBooks on tax strategies.

Digital products are easy to create and distribute, allowing you to reach a global audience without the constraints of physical inventory. Imagine sharing your expertise by building a membership site where users access exclusive content and financial advice for a subscription fee. This entrepreneurial venture could substantially supplement your income and potentially lead you to a six-figure salary.

By leveraging your accounting expertise and transforming it into high-demand digital products, you open the door to new revenue streams while maintaining the autonomy to manage your own business.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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9. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could help you make six figures as an accountant by providing a flexible and profitable side income stream. You could leverage your analytical skills to develop effective marketing strategies and use automation tools to manage campaigns efficiently, without the need to spend countless hours manually handling each task.

By creating an agency portfolio, you could attract small businesses and professionals who need assistance with their social media presence, thereby expanding your client base. This venture is not only lucrative but also allows you to diversify your income sources, covering utility bills, saving for vacations, or even investing in further education—all while maintaining your primary accounting career.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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10. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way for an entrepreneurial accountant to supplement their income and even make six figures. By sharing your expertise in accounting, personal finance, and tax strategies, you could not only help others but also build a loyal subscriber base.

As you gain subscribers and watch hours, you could qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, allowing you to monetize your channel through ad revenue. With consistent, high-quality content, you could attract sponsorship deals and affiliate marketing opportunities, further boosting your income.

Many YouTube success stories demonstrate that it's possible to turn a passion for content creation into a lucrative side business or even a full-time gig. If you love educating and engaging with others, starting a YouTube channel could be your path to financial growth and professional fulfillment.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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11. Create an online course ($83.3K/month)

Creating an online course could be a powerful way for you to supplement your income as an accountant and potentially make six figures. By leveraging your specialized knowledge in accounting, you could identify educational gaps in areas such as tax planning, financial analysis, or auditing to develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials. This approach not only allows you to monetize your expertise but also to serve eager lifelong learners who seek convenient access to valuable financial insights.

With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could build a loyal student base and generate passive income. For entrepreneurial-minded accountants, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative opportunity with small startup costs and significant revenue potential.

How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.