Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Insights and Advice Needed

As my wife embarks on her journey into freelancing, we are seeking guidance from seasoned professionals in the Bookkeeping field. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to the Accounting industry, she is finally taking the plunge to work independently.

Her background is impressive. She has held various roles, including staff accountant and Accounting supervisor, where she efficiently managed payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company. Beyond that, her experience spans office management and Bookkeeping for a real estate developer, a construction firm, a painting company, and an auto repair shop. With this diverse skill set, she is well-equipped to tackle a wide range of bookkeeping needs.

Currently, she is enhancing her expertise in QuickBooks and is in the process of completing all available certifications. Her website is near completion, and the engagement letter has been finalized, along with an updated resume. Soon, she will be active in marketing her services to potential clients.

It is important to note that she will not be providing tax services and does not hold CPA or EA credentials. Instead, she aims to serve smaller, mid-sized, and emerging businesses as a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. Her proficiency in cleaning up disorganized financial records, producing profit and loss statements, creating balance sheets, and identifying cost-cutting opportunities is extensive. Moreover, she prioritizes automation to improve efficiency in her services.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms to explore potential collaborations. We would appreciate your insights on the best way to approach these firms. Should we start with an email, a phone call, or a direct visit? Additionally, any tips on making a strong first impression would be invaluable.

We plan to bill clients on an hourly basis and would also be grateful for any miscellaneous tips on acquiring clients or general recommendations to help her succeed.

Thank you in advance for your support and insights as we navigate this exciting new chapter!