Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights on Client Acquisition

As my wife embarks on her journey to establish her own Bookkeeping practice, we find ourselves navigating the exciting but unfamiliar waters of freelance work. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to Accounting and Bookkeeping roles, ranging from a staff accountant overseeing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company to managing finances for real estate developers and various service industries, she is now ready to offer her expertise to a wider audience.

Her extensive experience with QuickBooks, combined with her commitment to completing all relevant certifications, has equipped her with the skills necessary to provide top-notch bookkeeping services. With her professional website nearly finalized, an engagement letter prepared, and an updated resume in hand, she is on the verge of launching her marketing efforts to attract clients.

Notably, she will not be offering tax services and does not hold CPA or EA credentials. Instead, her focus will be on assisting small to mid-sized businesses, including startups that require a reliable and cost-effective bookkeeping solution. Her strengths lie in streamlining “messy” financial records, generating comprehensive profit and loss statements, managing balance sheets, and providing valuable insights on cost-cutting measures—all while leveraging automation to enhance efficiency.

Our initial strategy is to connect with local CPA firms, and I am reaching out to the community for guidance on the best approach to make these introductions. Should we start with targeted emails, follow up with phone calls, or consider a more personal touch like in-person visits? Additionally, any tips for creating a lasting first impression would be greatly appreciated.

We are planning to operate on an hourly billing model and are also open to any further suggestions on how to effectively secure clients in this competitive landscape.

Thank you for your input and support as we take these important steps in launching her freelance bookkeeping business!