Starting a Freelance Bookkeeping Venture: Seeking Insights from Seasoned Professionals

After years of dedicated service in the Accounting and Bookkeeping industry, my wife has made the exciting decision to launch her own freelance Bookkeeping business. With nearly two decades of experience, including roles as a staff accountant, Accounting supervisor for a large cable company, and office manager/bookkeeper for various sectors including real estate development and automotive services, she is well-prepared to take this bold step.

Her extensive proficiency in QuickBooks is complemented by her ongoing efforts to obtain relevant certifications, with her website almost ready for launch. An engagement letter has been drafted, and her resume is polished to attract potential clients. With all the foundational elements in place, she is eager to begin marketing her services.

It’s important to note that she will not be providing tax services, as she is neither a CPA nor an EA. Instead, her target market includes smaller to mid-sized businesses and newer operators seeking cost-effective bookkeeping solutions. Her skill set includes cleaning up disorganized accounts, generating profit and loss statements, preparing balance sheets, and identifying cost-saving opportunities—all areas where she excels. Moreover, she is highly focused on automation, ensuring processes are streamlined for maximum efficiency.

As part of her initial outreach strategy, we plan to connect with local CPA firms. I seek advice on the best approach for initiating these conversations. Should we utilize email, make phone calls, or drop in for face-to-face meetings? Additionally, any insights on making a positive first impression would be greatly appreciated.

We envision billing clients on an hourly basis and are open to any suggestions regarding acquiring new clients or general tips for establishing her freelance business.

Thank you in advance for your valuable insights!