My wife is almost ready to start taking on clients – looking for advice from experienced freelance bookkeepers.

Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights from Seasoned Professionals

The journey towards entrepreneurship is both exhilarating and daunting, and my wife is on the brink of embarking on her own path as a freelance bookkeeper. After dedicating nearly two decades to various roles in Accounting and Bookkeeping, she has made the pivotal decision to break free from the confines of traditional employment and offer her expertise independently.

With a robust background that includes positions such as a staff accountant and office manager for a range of industries—from managing payroll for a large cable company to overseeing the financials for a real estate developer—she is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for this venture. Proficiency in QuickBooks is one of her key strengths, alongside her completion of relevant certifications, further solidifying her qualifications. Her website is nearing completion, the engagement letter is ready, and her resume is up-to-date, leaving her just about set to begin reaching out to potential clients.

While my wife won’t be providing tax services and is not a CPA or EA, her focus will be on catering to small to mid-sized businesses, particularly newer operators looking for cost-effective Bookkeeping solutions. Her specialties include tidying up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and offering recommendations for cost efficiency—all areas where she excels.

As part of her initial strategy, she plans to connect with local CPA firms to explore potential referrals. Herein lies my question: what is the most effective approach for making that first contact? Should she reach out via email, make a phone call, or opt for an in-person visit? Any advice on best practices for creating a memorable first impression would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, we are open to any further suggestions for securing clients or strategies for promoting her new business. We are considering an hourly billing model, and any insights surrounding pricing and client acquisition would be invaluable.

Thank you for your help as we embark on this exciting new chapter!