Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights from Experienced Professionals

After years of dedicated service in the Accounting and Bookkeeping fields, my wife is ready to embark on an exciting new chapter—starting her own freelance Bookkeeping business. With nearly two decades of experience under her belt, she has held various significant roles, including staff accountant and payroll supervisor for a large cable company. Her diverse background also includes positions as an office manager and bookkeeper for a real estate developer, construction firm, and auto mechanic shop, providing her with extensive knowledge of the industry.

As she prepares to transition from employee to entrepreneur, my wife is finalizing her professional framework. She is currently honing her skills in QuickBooks, acquiring all relevant certifications, and putting the finishing touches on her website. With her engagement letter and updated resume ready, she is brimming with enthusiasm to start marketing her services.

It’s essential to note that while she will not be offering tax services and is neither a CPA nor an EA, she aims to serve small to mid-sized businesses and startups as a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. Her skills include cleaning up disorganized financial records, generating profit and loss statements, managing balance sheets, and providing cost-reduction insights—all of which she can accomplish with ease. Automation is a key focus in her approach, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms for potential collaborations. However, I would love to hear from seasoned freelance bookkeepers: what is the best way to initiate contact with these firms? Should we opt for email communications, phone calls, or perhaps a personal visit? Additionally, what strategies can we employ to make a memorable first impression?

Furthermore, any insights or suggestions on acquiring clients and navigating the freelance bookkeeping landscape would be invaluable. We’re open to exploring various approaches, including hourly billing options.

Thank you for your assistance as we take this significant leap into the world of freelance bookkeeping!