Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Advice from Experienced Professionals

My wife is on the brink of an exciting new adventure—she’s ready to leave the corporate world behind and start her own freelance Bookkeeping business. With nearly two decades of rich experience in the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, she is well-equipped to take this leap.

Throughout her career, she’s held diverse roles, including staff accountant and supervisor for a cable company, office manager/bookkeeper for a real estate developer, and more. Each position has built her expertise, specifically in handling payroll for over 800 employees and managing finances in various industries like construction, automotive, and real estate. It’s safe to say she knows her way around numbers!

Currently, she is enhancing her skills further by completing all the available certifications through QuickBooks. She has also developed a professional website, finalized her engagement letter, and updated her resume—all preparations for a successful launch into freelancing.

It’s important to note that she will not be providing tax services, nor does she hold CPA or EA credentials. Instead, she aims to assist smaller, mid-sized, and newer businesses as a cost-effective solution. Her strengths lie in tidying up disorganized financial records, generating profit and loss statements, preparing balance sheets, and offering strategic cost-cutting recommendations—all while prioritizing automation to enhance efficiency.

As her first business strategy, we plan to reach out to local CPA firms. However, we wish to gauge the best way to make initial contact. Should we send an email, make a phone call, or visit in person? Any insights on how to leave a favorable first impression would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, we’re open to any suggestions for attracting clients or general advice for a freelancer starting out.

Thank you for your insights!