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Home-based franchises: Shoebox Bookkeeping

Sarah Stowe

Franchise systems that provide the choice to work from home have been a champion for those looking for flexibility. Working from home has been an increasingly popular choice for franchise buyers. Image: iStock

A study conducted by the Telstra Work Life Index shows that employers and employees are fully aware of the benefits of working at home.

The key findings of the study include:

  • Better business: More than half of employers (55 percent) have reported lower overhead costs by allowing their employees to work at home.

  • Nine-to-five is dead: 67 percent of participants embrace flexible work hours when working at home to work around other commitments like shopping, housework, childcare while in the home.  

  • Happier, healthier habits: Almost two-thirds of participants (63 percent) agree they feel relaxed when working at home compared with 36 percent in the office, which is better for their overall mental health and emotional wellbeing.

  • Work-life better: Around two in three Aussie employers (67 percent) who allow staff to work at home do so to promote better work-life balance and allow work-time flexibility (66 percent).

[Telstra claim based on research conducted by Nielsen, 19-26 September 2016, amongst 1,810 surveyed Australian employees and employers aged 18 or above.] 

Shoebox Bookkeeping

Offering bookkeeping opportunities, preferably for experienced professionals, Shoebox Bookkeeping is designed to allow franchisees to work from home.

Yvette Coad, franchisor, says there are number of features within the franchise model that allow franchisees to fit a business around their lifestyle.

“One of the key features that makes our business home-based is we use cloud storage. This makes it easier than ever to work from home, and on the go,” she says.

“Another key feature our franchisees have available to them is their social media pages that we help run.

“These pages allow for them to build relationships with their local communities and they can easily be managed from home.”

Coad says that as a result, franchisees only require a car to visit clients, mobile phone and a laptop or computer with internet access.

This also means there are minimal overhead costs as there are no leasing agreements or staff required to start the business. The initial investment is $29, 990 + GST which includes a range of support and training, as well as ongoing royalties and a marketing levy during the life of the term – a 10 year agreement with an option to renew.

“Our model is built with flexibility in mind,” says Coad.

“All of our franchisees have the opportunity to work around their own lifestyles, meaning that the old clichŽ of nine-to-five is now just optional.”

“Our business model allows franchisees to choose their own hours.”

The model begins with a six-week marketing campaign to develop a client base. In addition, franchisees undergo two weeks of online training, one week of in-house training and four days onsite. Six months of practical bookkeeping training to help franchisees become certified business activity statement (BAS) agents is also included with check ups. The franchisor provides support in helping franchisees become certified BAS agents. Franchisees are provided ongoing support throughout the term.

Interested in a Shoebox Bookkeeping franchise? Take the next steps now.