Navigating the Freelance Bookkeeping Landscape: Seeking Advice for Client Acquisition

Entering the world of freelance Bookkeeping can be both thrilling and daunting, especially for those making the transition from traditional employment. My wife is gearing up to launch her own Bookkeeping practice after dedicating 15-20 years to the field. Her extensive experience includes roles such as a staff accountant and supervisor for a large cable company, office manager/bookkeeper for a real estate developer, and various positions in construction, painting, and automotive services. With such a diverse background, she is well-equipped to cater to a variety of clients.

Currently, she is honing her skills in QuickBooks, completing several certifications, and finalizing her professional website. Additionally, her engagement letter is polished, and her resume has been updated to reflect her comprehensive skill set. She is on the verge of marketing her services to potential clients.

It’s important to note that she will not be offering tax services, as she is not a CPA or EA. Instead, her focus will be on supporting smaller to mid-sized businesses and startups, providing them with a cost-effective solution for their bookkeeping needs. Her expertise includes streamlining messy financial records, producing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and identifying cost-cutting opportunities—tasks she can handle with ease. Emphasizing automation as a key priority, she aims to bring efficiency and clarity to her clients’ financial processes.

Our plan is to initiate contact with local CPA firms as part of her outreach strategy. In this regard, we would love to gather insights from experienced professionals. What would be the most effective way to introduce her services to these firms? Should we opt for email correspondence, personal phone calls, or perhaps even a face-to-face visit? Any additional tips for making a memorable first impression would also be greatly appreciated.

We’re looking to establish an hourly billing structure and are open to any further suggestions on acquiring clients or general advice on starting strong in the freelance bookkeeping realm. Your input and expertise could be invaluable as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Thank you in advance for your support!